Zero-trust Architecture Specialist

Markon is seeking a highly experienced Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) Specialist to support a mission-critical customer in the Intelligence Community (IC). This position will play a pivotal role in defining, designing, and coordinating the transition of current architectures into zero trust-enabled environments across the enterprise and non-enterprise services/systems. The role requires an expert-level understanding of secure systems architecture, IC directives, and modern IT security paradigms.

Responsibilities

Architectural Design and Strategy:

• Document architectural rules and develop clear criteria for system and service compliance with zero trust principles.
• Diagram interim and future state architectures, capturing transition paths from current architectures to zero trust-enabled environments.
• Define and effectively communicate integration expectations for all IT services across evolving architectures.

Design Patterns and Standards Development:

• Create and maintain design patterns to guide enterprise and non-enterprise systems in achieving compliance with zero trust specifications.
• Align all work with IC protocols, directives, and initiatives, ensuring consistency with broader government mandates.

IT Roadmap and Implementation Planning:

• Develop and refine roadmaps for IT implementation of zero trust across global enterprises, including classified and unclassified multi-cloud/multi-fabric landscapes.
• Integrate IT stack technologies, ensuring secure, scalable, and effective functionality within a global operational environment.

Zero Trust Expertise and Governance:

• Apply expert knowledge in identity, authentication, and authorization technologies to advance zero trust principles.
• Work with secure cloud architectures across multiple vendors and cloud fabrics, ensuring environments meet compliance and operational requirements.

Stakeholder Communication and Leadership:

• Engage with senior stakeholders across the IC and DoD to communicate architectural decisions, integration plans, and compliance mandates.
• Brief senior forums and provide subject matter expertise on EO 14028, NSM-8, NIST standards (e.g., 800-53, CNSSI 1253, ICD 503), and other related directives.
• Build trust and foster collaboration across IC partners and technical teams to align zero trust implementations with mission objectives.

Generalist vs. Specialist Considerations:

• The customer prefers a generalist with broad expertise across ZTA and related areas but is willing to recruit a specialist who can bring significant depth in one or more core areas, such as identity management, secure cloud architecture, or IT stack integration.

Qualifications

Required:

• Active TS/SCI with a CI Polygraph is required.
• 15+ years of experience in systems engineering and architecture, particularly in IC and DoD-related environments.
• Extensive knowledge of zero trust architecture, including National Security System (NSS) and DoD reference architectures.
• Familiarity with IC directives, policies, and standards, such as EO 14028, NSM-8, ICD 503, NIST 800-53, CNSSI 1253, and related frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate IT stack technologies across global enterprise cyber systems with an emphasis on secure implementations.
• Deep expertise in secure cloud architecture and multi-cloud/multi-fabric landscapes (classified/unclassified environments).
• Strong knowledge of identity, authentication, and authorization technologies and frameworks central to zero trust principles.
• Proficiency in developing IT roadmaps and implementation plans for mission-critical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work across IT domains, bringing together architecture, security, and technical integration.
• Proven ability to brief senior IC and DoD forums, providing clear and concise updates, risk assessments, and strategic guidance.
• Experience partnering across IC stakeholders, fostering collaboration and alignment of technical and operational initiatives.

Desired:

• Proven experience working in classified environments and bridging the gap between enterprise and mission-specific IT landscapes.
• Certifications in systems architecture and security, such as CISSP, CCSP, or AWS Certified Solutions Architect.
• Knowledge of emerging trends and tools in zero trust architecture and secure systems development.

Salary Range

USD $180,000.00 - USD $210,000.00 /Yr.

The Markon pay range for this position is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Overview

Eager to join a team where your skills are valued, your growth is nurtured, and your impact is profound? Look no further than Markon, a premier consulting firm deeply dedicated to advancing our nation's most critical missions.

At Markon, we don't just offer jobs - we offer opportunities for personal and professional transformation. Empowering our employees to lead, innovate, and excel, we foster an environment where new ideas are not just welcomed but celebrated. As a perennial Washington Post Top Workplace, we prioritize the well-being and success of our team members, ensuring they can bring their best selves to work.

Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, Markon has garnered national recognition for our unwavering dedication to excellence in serving the intelligence community, as well as federal civilian and defense agencies. Our growing reach extends across 17 states, 116 countries, and 5 continents, where our team of dynamic professionals collaborates to deliver unparalleled program and project management services.

Markon values people and the tremendous impact each individual can make - which is why we're consistently recognized as one of the best places to work in federal government consulting. Here, you can help solve the nation's most important challenges, surrounded by colleagues who help you grow, advance, and succeed. We are deeply dedicated to what matters - bringing out the best in each other to advance our clients' missions.

Join us and make a meaningful impact.

Markon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Benefits Offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Training and Tuition Assistance, Paid Time Off, and Holidays.