Cleared AWS Cloud Security & Guardrails Engineer (Washington, DC)

Virtual Service Operations; Virginia; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Health benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

VSO Inc. seeks an experienced AWS Cloud Security & Guardrails Engineer to join a mission-critical, security-sensitive initiative. You will shape security architecture for AWS platforms, translating requirements into guardrails for identity, encryption, and observability, enabling engineering teams to build with confidence.

The role supports a highly classified modernization program. On-site work at approved secure locations is required, with the need to obtain/maintain TS/SCI clearance and U.S.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in engineering, with 3+ years hands-on AWS experience.
• Strong knowledge of AWS IAM, KMS, logging, and security architecture.

Responsibilities

• Design and improve AWS IAM policies, encryption controls, and centralized logging patterns.
• Review cloud architectures and infrastructure code for security risks.
• Support security assessment documentation and evidence collection.
• Partner with engineering teams to embed reusable security guardrails in deployment workflows.

Skills

AWS experience

Security architecture

Policy design

Communication skills

Tools

AWS IAM

KMS

Centralized logging

Job description

Description

Are you ready to put your AWS expertise to work on cloud challenges that few engineers get the chance to tackle?

Virtual Service Operations (VSO) is seeking an experienced AWS Cloud Security & Guardrails Engineer to join a highly skilled team delivering advanced cloud engineering capabilities for a mission-critical, security-sensitive initiative. Help shape the security architecture of sophisticated AWS platforms from the ground up. You will translate security requirements into practical identity, encryption, and observability guardrails that engineering teams can build on with confidence. You will work with experienced technical partners in a collaborative environment where careful engineering and measurable results matter.

The program you will be supporting is a highly classified, mission-critical modernization initiative. Your roles will be to help build next-generation cloud infrastructure and integration platforms that connect fragmented intelligence, operational data, and mission systems through APIs, MCP servers, and cloud-native technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and improve AWS IAM policies, encryption controls, and centralized logging patterns.


• Review cloud architectures and infrastructure code for security risks.


• Support security assessment documentation and evidence collection.


• Partner with engineering teams to embed reusable security guardrails in deployment workflows.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in engineering, including 3+ years of hands-on AWS experience.


• Strong AWS IAM, KMS, logging, and cloud security architecture knowledge.


• Experience reviewing technical implementations against security requirements.


• Hands-on AWS cloud experience and ability to work effectively in highly controlled environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automated policy validation or infrastructure-as-code security.


• Experience supporting formal security authorization activities.


• Relevant AWS professional or specialty certifications; Security+ or CISSP where applicable.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI clearance; must be eligible for applicable SCI read-on/indoctrination and additional program-specific access approvals.


• Must reside within commuting distance of one of the following 4 approved secure work locations: Herndon, VA; Washington, DC; Seattle, WA; or Denver, CO.


• Regular on-site work in an approved secure facility and occasional work at authorized customer facilities may be required. This is not a remote position.


• Full-time position, on-site


• Please note that pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires U.S. citizenship status

What is Important to Us

• You are an excellent communicator in writing and speaking.


• You have the ability to work independently but also value teamwork.


• Your problem-solving skills are excellent.


• You are looking for a job where performance appraisals occur regularly, and you look forward to advancing your career.


• You seek a community of virtue-centered co-workers and clients.

What we offer you

As part of the VSO company, you will be part of a virtue-centered team who value their work and teammates. This is a no-jerk zone. We provide ongoing learning and development opportunities to foster continuous growth.

• competitive salaries


• health benefits


• flexible work arrangements

More About VSO

VSO is a hybrid cloud and managed services consulting firm. Much of VSO’s success can be attributed to our deep partnerships with IT services industry leaders such as AWS, IBM, Microsoft and others. VSO leverages numerous other partner relationships so as to provide our customers with optimal support. Additionally, we take pride in taking care of our employees. We offer a wide variety of benefits for eligible employees related to health, retirement, professional development, and more! For more information, please visit our website at https://vso-inc.com/careers