Job Description
Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is searching for a Senior Security Architectfor a Contract assignment with one of our premier Regulatory clients in Rockville, MD.
Candidate must be in the DMV Area.
This role is days per week Onsite in the Rockville or Tysons Office.
The Senior Application Security Architect is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing enterprise-wide application security architecture and standards.
This role focuses on establishing security frameworks, conducting architecture reviews, developing security baselines, and leading strategic security initiatives that have broad impact across the organization.
The position requires a blend of technical expertise, architectural thinking, and leadership to embed security throughout the software development lifecycle.
Responsibilities :
Design and establish enterprise application security architecture frameworks and reference models aligned with business objectives and risk tolerance
Lead architecture reviews of applications and systems to identify security gaps and recommend appropriate controls
Develop and maintain security baselines, standards, and patterns for different technology stacks (web, mobile, API, microservices) and deployment models
Create and evolve threat modeling methodologies (STRIDE, PASTA, OCTAVE) and facilitate threat modeling sessions with development teams
Define secure coding standards and security requirements for different application types based on data classification and risk profile
Architect security solutions for authentication, authorization, encryption, and secure communication channels
Establish security guardrails for cloud-native applications, serverless architectures, and infrastructure-as-code implementations
Design and implement API security strategies including OAuth/OIDC flows, API gateways, and rate limiting
Integrate security architecture principles into CI/CD pipelines to support DevSecOps initiatives
Evaluate and recommend security tools and technologies for the enterprise security tech stack
Develop security architecture roadmaps and guide implementation of security capabilities
Partner with development teams to design secure solutions that balance security requirements with business needs
Lead strategic security initiatives with enterprise-wide impact
Leverage GenAI technologies to enhance security architecture reviews and automate security analysis
Maintain documentation of security architecture decisions, patterns, and reference implementations
Develop and deliver security architecture training to raise security awareness among developers and architects
Stay current with emerging security threats, technologies, and architectural approaches
Perform security design reviews for new applications and major changes to existing applications
Architect secure data handling practices including encryption at rest and in transit
Required Skills: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related technical field required
+ years of experience in application security, with at least years in security architecture roles
Deep knowledge of secure design principles, threat modeling methodologies, and security patterns
Experience designing security controls for cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Proficiency in evaluating and implementing application security tools (SAST, DAST, IAST, SCA)
Hands-on experience with security testing tools such as Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, and other proxy tools
Experience with secure software development practices and DevSecOps implementation
Strong understanding of OWASP Top , SANS CWE, and other security standards
Knowledge of secure authentication mechanisms (MFA, SSO, OAuth , SAML, OIDC)
Experience with secure API design and implementation of API security controls
Knowledge of regulatory requirements (PCI-DSS, GDPR, SOX, etc.) and their architectural implications
Experience with containerization, microservices, and API security
Proficiency in one or more programming languages (Java, Python, JavaScript preferred)
Experience with secure code review techniques and identifying common vulnerability patterns
Knowledge of cryptographic protocols and implementations
Experience with security requirements for modern application architectures (SPA, serverless, etc.)
Excellent communication skills with ability to translate complex security concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
Experience leading cross-functional security initiatives and influencing stakeholders
Certifications such as CSSLP, CISSP, AWS Security Specialty are highly desirable This position requires a strategic thinker who can balance security requirements with business objectives while driving the organization toward a more secure application ecosystem.
Nice to have - Experience with securing Agentic AI or leveraging AI for security