Security Engineer / Architect Lead

Position Description:

Valiant Solutions is seeking a Security Engineer / Architect Lead to join our rapidly growing and innovative cybersecurity team!

As the Security Engineer / Architect Lead, you will be responsible for the comprehensive management of cybersecurity tools and services, including maintenance, upgrades, and administration, ensuring optimal performance and availability. Provide expert guidance on security engineering, system integration, and controls implementation, alongside advising on system restructuring for enhanced cybersecurity. Oversee integration services, documentation, and compliance, collaborating with SOC teams for process optimization and incident response. Additionally, evaluate emerging technologies and advise on technology modernization, automation, and risk analysis for continual improvement

Valiant Solutions is a company that cares about its employees- we've been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Washington DC area TEN years in a row!  If you are interested in learning more about Valiant and this opportunity, we invite you to apply now! 

This position allows for 100% remote work. Remote work necessitates a high-level trust in our employees and we strictly adhere to the details found below in our Remote Work Policy. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Active Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in IT security
• In-depth understanding of NIST, OMB, DHS, GAO, IRS, Legislative, Regulatory, and industry-standard information sources.
• Proficiency in configuring and managing security tools such as Security Operations Center (SOC) support systems, firewalls, IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems), DLP (Data Loss Prevention), and endpoint security solutions.
• Understanding of networking protocols and architectures.
• Experience with vulnerability scanning tools
• Extensive experience with security control implementation, risk management, and system integration.
• Proficiency in managing and utilizing a wide range of cybersecurity tools and technologies.
• Experience in a leadership role or managing cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of one of more of the following security tools: RedSeal, EnCase, DB Protect, WebInspect, Nessus, Axonius

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience working with Splunk or other SIEM tools as a Cyber Data Lake.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take full ownership of the operation and maintenance of cybersecurity tools and services, ensuring operational availability and performance, conducting health checks, managing software upgrades, and administering them.
• Comply with all department configuration management requirements, including Security Impact Assessments for CM-04 security control impacts, Change Requests (including presentations to the Change Advisory Board (CAB)), submission of Enterprise Architecture Technology Insertion (EATI) for new software recommendations and major version changes.
• Provide subject matter expertise in security engineering, system security integration, and security consulting support for the evaluation, planning, design, testing, implementation, and modification of security controls.
• Offer technical expertise and advice on the restructuring and/or re-architecting of major systems to ensure the optimal placement and configuration of cybersecurity tools and appliances.
• Configure, manage and optimize security tools such as SOC support systems, firewalls, IDS/IPS, DLP, and endpoint security solutions to ensure the highest levels of protection and compliance.
• Monitor tool health and performance to identify issues, bugs, or potential improvements. All identified issues are logged in the Service Desk Tool (SDT) and must be tracked and reported to closure.
• Oversee the integration services, including system integration and integration testing, ensuring compliance with Department policy and guidelines.
• Perform requirements decomposition, feasibility analysis, technical and product evaluations, and identification of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS)/Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) alternatives.
• Develop and maintain operational documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), job aids, application checklists, guidance documents, playbooks, and templates.
• Offer standby, on-call technical support during non-core operational support hours to address service-impacting issues.
• Collaborate with the Security Operations Center (SOC) teams for process optimization, tool tuning, tool integration, information sharing, playbook development, and incident response.
• Implement automated near real-time monitoring of all tools to ensure proper operation and collection of pertinent data.
• Maintain an accurate resource inventory for each system/tool/service and ensure all tools and services are configured according to the Department and Federal system security configuration guidance.
• Develop and maintain Department hardening guides and application benchmarks, ensuring compliance with Department and NIST guidelines.
• Serve in an advisory capacity focusing on technology modernization, security automation, architecture and design, security solutions integration, and security transformation.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and make recommendations to the Department Federal PM or COR.
• Conduct analysis/assessments of plans, designs, technical concepts, implementation approaches, standards compliance, business and technical tradeoffs, and risk analyses.

About Valiant Solutions

Valiant Solutions is a security-focused IT solutions provider with public clients nationwide. We are a HUBZone small business and we encourage all candidates who live in a HUBZone to apply. Named one of the fastest growing privately held companies by Inc. 5000, Washington Technology’s Fast 50, and Washington Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in the D.C. area, Valiant Solutions prides itself on providing its employees with great benefits and career development opportunities. As a company, we are just as committed to growing careers as we are to building world-class IT solutions, all while enjoying an unparalleled work-life balance. We are in a phase of tremendous growth and building the team that will take us to the next level. We seek people whose talents and accomplishments will contribute to a thriving company, who have the character to support their capacity, and can make a positive impact on our culture. Alongside our talented team, you’ll learn to think quickly on your feet and expand your own personal and professional skill set. Our management team will inspire you to consider new perspectives and challenge you to become a better practitioner in the fast-paced industry of IT security. We hire people we respect – and we trust them to deliver results leveraging their expertise. If you would enjoy working in a dynamic environment as part of a stellar team of professionals, then we invite you to apply online today.

Benefits Snapshot (includes, but not limited to)

Valiant pays 99% of the Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage for Full-time Employees

Valiant contributes 25% towards Health Coverage for Family and Dependents

100% Paid Short Term Disability and Life Insurance Policy for Full-time Employees

100% Paid Certifications

401K Matching up to 4%

Paid Time Off

Paid Federal Holidays 

Paid Time On – 40 hours to pursue innovation

Wellness & Fitness Program

Valiant University – Online Education and Training Portal

Reimbursement for Public Transit and Parking

FSA programs for: Medical Costs, Dependent Care, Transit, and Parking

Referral Bonuses

The salary range for this position is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. It has been benchmarked in relation to the scope of the role, market rate, and internal equity. The salary for this role is expected to be in the $145,000 - $160,000 range. Where a candidate falls within the band can be determined based on one or more of the following: skillset, experience level, achievements, education, geographic location, security clearance, involvement in corporate tasks, and other non-discriminatory factors. In addition to the base salary, this role will include benefits as described below.  Valiant reserves the right to adjust the salary range, experience requirements, and position responsibilities at any time without prior notice. 

Remote Work Policy 

Remote work necessitates a high level of trust in our employees. To ensure that employee performance does not suffer in a remote work environment, all employees who telecommute are expected to have a quiet and distraction-free workspace with adequate internet, dedicate their full attention and availability to their job duties during working hours, and maintain a schedule during core business hours that align with those of their coworkers and Valiant's clients. In alignment with Valiant's inclusive and engaging environment, cameras are encouraged and can be required to be on during virtual video conferences. Additionally, in alignment with the Office of the Inspector General’s effort to eliminate conflicting employment, all Valiant employees are required to disclose any current or future outside employment engagements. During onboarding and throughout employment, employees must disclose any current activities or intent to engage in outside employment or other professional activities and obtain written approval.  Employees may not solicit or conduct any outside business during core business hours for Valiant Solutions and our clients.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Valiant Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sex stereotyping, gender identity, gender expression or transgender status), religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information/history or any other personal characteristic protected by law.

Physical Demands

Sitting or standing at a desk for prolonged periods of time and consistent operation of a computer. Frequent communication and exchanging of accurate information via electronic communication, phones, and in person. Occasionally lift and/or move moderate amounts of weight, typically less than 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Authorization to Share Resume and Personal Information

By submitting your resume for this position, you authorize Valiant Solutions to share your resume, as well as, personal information included on the resume, with its subsidiaries, affiliates and teaming partners for the purpose of considering you for this position and other available positions requiring comparable skills, education and experience. Should Valiant Solutions or its affiliates and teaming partners wish to initiate pre-employment discussions, you will be asked to complete an employment application and related employment documents.