Senior Cybersecurity & Zero Trust Architect

For more than a decade, Karthik Consulting has been a reliable and trusted advisor to our Government customers, providing independent and unbiased recommendations and solutions to mitigate risk and help solve IT issues. We bring the innovation, passion, and agility of the commercial sector to meet the unique challenges of this competitive space.

Karthik Consulting is seeking Senior Cybersecurity & Zero Trust Architect with the below skillset.

Senior Cybersecurity & Zero Trust Architect
Fulltime with Karthik Consulting
Location: Washington, DC
Clearance: Top Secret clearance


Position Description

Purpose
The Air Force ISR Digital Infrastructure Transformation enables intelligence analysts to securely leverage modern technologies to deliver intelligence at the speed of relevance. This transformation spans Data and Analytics, Sensemaking and Automation, Augmentation and AI, Networks, Hybrid and Multi-Cloud, Enterprise Services, and Cybersecurity, enabling integration and synchronization across the Intelligence Community, the Department of Defense, and commercial partners.
The success of this transformation depends on aligning people, processes, and technology to strengthen warfighting capabilities across all domains. Foundational technology modernization, paired with a disciplined implementation framework, enables analysts to outpace adversaries and sustain decision advantage. This role directly supports the foundational cybersecurity layer of the ISR Digital Infrastructure Transformation and feeds the broader ISR Digital Transformation Strategy across the enterprise.
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Scope
The Senior Cybersecurity & Zero Trust Architect serves as a senior technical authority and strategic advisor responsible for designing, integrating, and advancing Zero Trust cybersecurity across the enterprise. The role provides expert guidance to senior leaders on cybersecurity architecture, policy implementation, risk-informed decision-making, and investment considerations to ensure resilient, mission-ready operations in contested and highly dynamic threat environments.
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Key Responsibilities
Strategic Advisory & Architecture Leadership
• Serve as a senior architectural advisor to leadership on Zero Trust strategy, cybersecurity risk, and enterprise protection priorities.
• Shape and evolve enterprise cybersecurity architectures aligned to national defense objectives, operational mission requirements, and modernization goals.
• Advise on architectural trade-offs affecting mission execution, readiness, and resilience.
Zero Trust Architecture & Integration
• Design and guide the evolution of enterprise Zero Trust architectures spanning identity, device, network, application, data, and workload security.
• Ensure Zero Trust principles are consistently embedded across cloud, hybrid, edge, and legacy environments.
• Integrate cybersecurity as an operational enabler rather than a compliance-only function.
Policy, Governance & Standards Alignment
• Translate federal cybersecurity policy and Zero Trust guidance into practical architectural patterns and implementation models.
• Align enterprise cybersecurity architecture with applicable national frameworks and standards.
• Support governance processes that enable timely, risk-informed architectural decisions.
Investment & Program Support
• Provide architectural input to cybersecurity investment prioritization across FYDP and multi-year planning horizons.
• Evaluate programs, platforms, and vendor solutions for architectural fit, risk reduction, and mission impact.
• Support acquisition, PPBE, and portfolio review forums with senior-level technical judgment.
Threat Awareness & Adaptation
• Maintain awareness of advanced cyber threats, adversary tactics, and emerging attack vectors.
• Assess second- and third-order impacts of cyber conflict on enterprise operations and mission assurance.
• Recommend architectural adaptations to maintain resilience under degraded or contested conditions.
Enterprise Collaboration & Communication
• Partner with mission owners, IT leaders, data and AI stakeholders, and operational commanders to integrate cybersecurity into mission design.
• Communicate complex cybersecurity architecture and risk concepts clearly to executive, operational, and non-technical audiences.
• Mentor technical teams and leaders on Zero Trust principles, architectural thinking, and execution.
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Education
• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a STEM-related field
• Master’s degree in a related field (preferred, not required)
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Experience Level
• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in cybersecurity, information assurance, or cyber operations
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Clearance
• TS/SCI clearance required
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Location
• National Capital Region (3–4 days per week on-site)
• TDY as required by the government
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Core Professional Qualifications
Expertise
• Expert-level knowledge of Zero Trust cybersecurity architecture and enterprise implementation
• Demonstrated expertise in cybersecurity strategy, architecture, and enterprise risk management
• Proven experience securing large-scale, distributed, mission-critical systems
Experience
• Senior-level experience advising executives or senior leaders on cybersecurity architecture and risk
• Experience leading or advising enterprise-scale Zero Trust or cybersecurity transformation efforts
• Experience aligning cybersecurity architecture to mission execution or warfighting frameworks
Technical Breadth
• Cloud and hybrid security architectures
• Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)
• Network segmentation and software-defined security
• Data protection, encryption, and cross-domain considerations
• Cyber resilience, incident response, and recovery planning
• Development and application of cybersecurity MOEs/MOPs tied to mission outcomes
• Capturing, analyzing, and presenting cybersecurity performance data for executive decision-making
Leadership & Communication
• Ability to influence architectural outcomes without direct authority
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to translate technical risk into operational and strategic implications
• Experience briefing cybersecurity posture and risk using executive-level products
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Soft Skills
• Executive-level speaking and presentation
• Strategic planning and program coordination
• Analytical problem-solving
• Collaboration and unity of purpose
• Adaptability and continuous learning
• Risk assessment and management