Senior Identity Security Architect, Active Directory (Remote, Contract)

The Stafford Gray Group; Minneapolis (MN); Remote; USD 124,000 - 207,000; Full time

Job summary

The Stafford Gray Group is seeking Senior Identity Security Architects for long-term remote contract roles. Candidates will specialize in hands-on AD security, tier 0 design, and hybrid identity with Entra ID. Occasional client meetings may be required, with travel a few times per year.

You will harden AD environments, secure ADCS, manage privileged access, and implement Just-in-Time access. Strong communication of risk to stakeholders is essential for success in enterprise settings.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience securing Active Directory in large enterprise environments.
• Deep knowledge of ADCS, Kerberos, Tier 0 design, and privileged access.

Responsibilities

• Assess and harden enterprise Active Directory environments, including forests, trusts, Kerberos, Group Policy, permissions, and delegation.
• Secure Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS) and remediate certificate-based attack paths
• Design and implement Tier 0 protection, including administrative tiering, privileged access workstations, and least privilege
• Identify and remediate attack paths, credential theft exposure, and lateral movement risk
• Secure hybrid identity between Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID, including strong authentication and Conditional Access
• Implement Just-in-Time and Just-Enough Access to reduce standing privilege
• Plan and test Active Directory forest recovery and ransomware resilience
• Secure service accounts and other non-human identities

Skills

Active Directory security

ADCS

Kerberos

Tier 0 design

Privileged access

BloodHound

PingCastle

Purple Knight

Semperis

Defender for Identity

Entra ID

Hybrid identity

Risk communication

Tools

BloodHound

PingCastle

Purple Knight

Semperis

Microsoft Defender for Identity

Job description

Stafford Gray is hiring several Senior Identity Security Architects on behalf of a global identity security consultancy. These are long-term, fully remote contract roles for experts who know Active Directory at its deepest level and want to solve hard identity security problems for large enterprises. Occasional travel for client meetings may be required, typically a few times per year.

We are looking for top-tier technical talent. This role is focused on hands-on architecture and remediation, not people management. Compensation is highly competitive and based on experience.

What You Will Do

• Assess and harden enterprise Active Directory environments, including forests, trusts, Kerberos, Group Policy, permissions, and delegation
• Secure Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS) and remediate certificate-based attack paths
• Design and implement Tier 0 protection, including administrative tiering, privileged access workstations, and least privilege
• Identify and remediate attack paths, credential theft exposure, and lateral movement risk
• Secure hybrid identity between Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID, including strong authentication and Conditional Access
• Implement Just-in-Time and Just-Enough Access to reduce standing privilege
• Plan and test Active Directory forest recovery and ransomware resilience
• Secure service accounts and other non-human identities

What You Bring

• Extensive hands-on experience securing Active Directory in large enterprise environments
• Deep knowledge of ADCS, Kerberos, Tier 0 design, and privileged access
• Experience with tools such as BloodHound, PingCastle, Purple Knight, Semperis, or Microsoft Defender for Identity
• Strong experience with Microsoft Entra ID and hybrid identity
• Ability to explain technical risk clearly to client stakeholders

Nice to Have

• Identity governance (SailPoint, Saviynt, or Entra ID Governance), including access reviews and joiner, mover, leaver automation
• Privileged access management tools such as CyberArk or BeyondTrust
• Experience integrating identity telemetry with XDR or threat hunting
• Certificate and cryptographic modernization or quantum readiness planning
• Certifications such as SC-100, SC-300, CRTP, CRTE, OSCP, or CISSP

Details

• Contract role, W2 or 1099
• Fully remote, US-based
• Long-term engagement