Cloud Security Architect Lead Specialist

Job Title: Cloud Security Architect Lead Specialist
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Experience: 12+ Years
Employment Type: Contract
Interview Type: In-Person or Webcam

We are seeking an experienced Cloud Security Architect Lead Specialist to oversee the design, implementation, and governance of enterprise cloud security solutions. This role will work closely with cross-functional teams to define security architecture, establish best practices, and ensure that cloud environments are resilient, compliant, and secure. The ideal candidate has hands-on expertise with cloud platforms, security controls, risk frameworks, and enterprise-level security architecture.

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of cloud security solutions across multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).

• Develop and maintain cloud security architecture standards, guidelines, and reference models.

• Perform security assessments, risk analysis, threat modeling, and architecture reviews.

• Collaborate with engineering, DevOps, and infrastructure teams to integrate security into cloud deployments and CI/CD processes.

• Define identity and access management strategies and enforce secure authentication and authorization models.

• Implement and monitor cloud security governance, policies, and compliance frameworks.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards such as NIST, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, SOC2, and PCI.

• Evaluate, recommend, and implement cloud security tools and technologies including monitoring, logging, and vulnerability scanning solutions.

• Lead incident response planning, cloud security audits, and root cause analysis of security breaches.

• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and leadership to security engineers and stakeholders.

• Prepare architecture documentation, diagrams, security reports, and executive-level presentations.

• 12+ years of experience in IT security with at least 6+ years in cloud security architecture.

• Strong hands-on expertise with AWS, Azure, and/or GCP cloud security services and architecture.

• In-depth knowledge of cloud networking, zero trust security, firewalls, container security, and API security.

• Experience with IAM, encryption, key management, SSO, MFA, and security automation.

• Strong understanding of risk management, threat analysis, and security frameworks (NIST, CIS, MITRE ATT&CK).

• Experience working with DevSecOps practices and CI/CD security integration.

• Familiarity with cloud security tools such as Prisma Cloud, Tenable, Check Point, Splunk, Sentinel, and CrowdStrike.

• Ability to lead and communicate effectively with executive leadership and technical teams.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field (Master's preferred).

• CISSP, CCSP, CISM, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Security Engineer, or equivalent.

• Additional cloud or cybersecurity architecture certifications are a plus.