About the Role

We are seeking a Cloud Security Engineer, AWS GovCloud to design, implement, maintain, and optimize secure cloud environments supporting U.S. government, DoD, and intelligence community missions.

This role plays a critical part in protecting classified and sensitive data in AWS, Azure, and hybrid/multi-cloud infrastructures while ensuring full compliance with federal standards such as NIST 800-53, FedRAMP, RMF, and DoD Impact Levels (IL-4/IL-5).

The right candidate will bring hands-on experience securing cloud platforms in regulated environments. This role will help the organization meet industry standards such as SOC2, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, GDPR/CCPA, or other relevant compliance frameworks.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement secure cloud architectures and configurations across AWS GovCloud, Azure, and/or Google Cloud, applying best practices for least privilege encryption, network segmentation, and data protection.

• Implement and maintain cloud security frameworks, ensuring ongoing compliance with NIST 800-53 Rev. 5, FedRAMP, DoD IL-2/4/5, RMF, and Secure Cloud Computing Architecture (SCCA) requirements.

• Configure and manage Identity and Access Management (IAM), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Just-In-Time (JIT) access, Key Vaults, and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles across cloud environments.

• Engineer, deploy, and optimize cloud-native security tools, including Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Azure Sentinel, AWS GovCloud security services, CSPM/CWPP solutions, and SIEM (Elastic) platforms for threat detection, monitoring, and response.

• Conduct vulnerability assessments, penetration testing simulations, security configuration reviews (against STIGs, CIS benchmarks, and NIST controls), and continuous monitoring of cloud resources.

• Develop, maintain, and update System Security Plans (SSP), Security Assessment Reports (SAR), Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&M), and risk/compliance reporting for cloud-based operations.

• Identify, analyze, and respond to Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), threat intelligence, and security incidents within cloud environments; perform root-cause analysis and implement preventive controls.

• Perform periodic security reviews and audits of cloud environments (Azure, AWS, hybrid) to ensure sustained compliance, mitigate evolving threats, and update policies/procedures.

• Collaborate with DevSecOps, infrastructure, and development teams to integrate security into CI/CD pipelines, automate security controls, and support secure cloud migrations or modernization initiatives.

• Assess current cloud architectures, propose security improvements, review designs through a security lens, and serve as a subject-matter expert on cloud security tools,
  processes, and best practices.

• Coordinate with configuration management teams to ensure hardware/software changes adhere to security protocols, maintain version control, and support documentation of the cyber terrain.

• Develop, enforce, and maintain cloud security policies, standards, and automated guardrails to support secure CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code (IaC) practices (e.g., using Terraform, CloudFormation).

• Monitor cloud environments for security incidents, investigate alerts, perform root-cause analysis, and coordinate incident response activities.

• Identify emerging threats and recommend proactive improvements to cloud security posture, including automation of security controls and processes.

• Provide guidance and training to engineering teams on secure cloud design patterns and best practices.

• Ability to be on-site 5 days a week at our office in Playa Vista, CA.

Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, Computer Science, or a related field (or 5+ years equivalent professional experience in cloud security engineering)

• Experience: 5–9+ years in cloud security engineering, with hands-on work in AWS GovCloud, Azure, Google GCP, or multi-cloud environments.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills; ability to work in fast-paced, mission-critical environments.

  Technical Skills:

  • Deep knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, etc.), IAM/RBAC, encryption, network security, and cloud-native security services.

  • Familiarity with SIEM, vulnerability scanners, threat intelligence, and automation tools (e.g., Terraform, Python scripting).

  • Experience with compliance frameworks (NIST, FedRAMP, RMF) and tools like Azure Sentinel, NESSUS, BURP SUITE, Microsoft Defender, or AWS equivalents.

  • Deep understanding of network security, encryption, logging/monitoring, and container/Kubernetes security.

  • Experience with infrastructure-as-code, scripting (Python, PowerShell, etc.), and security automation tools.

• Additional Certifications:

  • CISSP, AWS Certified Security-Specialty, AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate or Professional), Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance & Identity, Security+, CEH, or CSSP related (e.g., CySA+, GCIH).

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What We Offer For Full-time Employees:

• Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create