Principal Cyber Systems Architect

Columbia, MDDescriptionAssured Information Security (AIS) has an opening for a Principal Cyber Systems Architect to drive enterprise-level engineering strategy, modernize mission platforms, and provide authoritative oversight over development teams. This position serves as a central technical authority — shaping architectural direction, enforcing secure engineering standards, and ensuring that mission-critical capabilities are delivered efficiently, securely, and in alignment with government objectives. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise, disciplined engineering governance, and the ability to translate complex operational requirements into practical, high-impact solutions.*This is an onsite position located in Columbia, MD and requires a TS/SCI w/CI Poly*What You’ll Do:Establish and maintain enterprise-wide engineering standards, secure coding practices, and automated validation processes across multiple development teams.Direct the adoption and optimization of CI/CD pipelines, testing frameworks, and security-focused engineering workflows to enhance capability performance and reduce long-term technical debt.Architect and evolve complex mission systems, ensuring scalability, resilience, and modernization across critical infrastructure and tool suites.Lead development of analysis engines, verification tools, and modern deployment environments using containerization and infrastructure-as-code technologies.Mentor engineers at all levels by leading design reviews, code assessments, and structured technical development initiatives that strengthen engineering maturity.Drive continuous improvement efforts to elevate code quality, development efficiency, and secure engineering discipline across the enterprise.Serve as a primary technical liaison to government customers and internal leadership, translating mission requirements into actionable engineering strategies and clear execution plans.Ensure alignment between technical execution, mission objectives, delivery timelines, and risk profiles through authoritative guidance and cross-team coordination.Work closely with the Product Lead to maintain alignment between the product roadmap and evolving mission priorities, ensuring capability development reflects operational needs and long-term strategic goals.Education/Experience/Skillset Required:Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Network Engineering, or related discipline and 8 years of experience in cyber software engineering or advanced technical roles OR equivalent education and experience.Minimum of 3 years of experience leading technical initiatives or serving as a Technical Lead across multiple concurrent development efforts.Expert proficiency with one or more programming languages: C, C++, Go, Java, Python.Strong experience with Git/GitLab and designing automated CI/CD pipelines for secure or restricted environments.Proficiency with containerization technologies (Docker) and IaC frameworks (Ansible, Vagrant).Hands-on experience with enterprise virtualization platforms (vSphere/ESXi) and automated validation environments.Deep understanding of operating system internals (Linux, Windows, Android), socket-level programming, and advanced network analysis.Ability to articulate complex technical concepts, architectures, and mission risk factors to technical teams and non-technical leadershipWhat Sets You Apart:Experience with reverse engineering tools and binary analysis methodologies.Background designing or maintaining distributed data systems and automated analysis pipelines.Understanding of Computer Network Operations (CNO) and offensive cyber capability development lifecycles.Familiarity with enterprise agile workflow and documentation tools.Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.Advanced certifications in engineering, cybersecurity, or project managementSecurity Clearance: TS/SCI w/CI Poly required AA / Disability / VeteranUS Salary Range: $185,000 - $240,000 The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on several factors including location, skills, and experience. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package which includes employer paid health insurance and a 7% contribution to your 401k, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation.AIS is a leading cyber and information security company supporting mission critical operations across the DoD, intelligence community, commerce and beyond. Founded in 2001, AIS is a privately-owned company committed to excellence in all facets. We pride ourselves on offering some of the best benefits seen in the industry. We celebrate the unique backgrounds and experiences of our people and encourage new ideas, innovation, and the autonomy to create the future and career they want with our support.