Zero Trust Engineer, Lead

Booz Allen Hamilton; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Paid leave

Work-life programs

Job summary

Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, VA seeks a high-impact Zero Trust Engineer, Lead to shape enterprise security and network architecture across DoW programs. You will guide multi-year modernization, mentor teams, and align investments with evolving operational needs in a secure, compliant environment.

You will lead cross-functional engineering teams, drive adoption of Zero Trust, and ensure architectures are scalable, interoperable, and aligned with DoW strategy and reference architectures.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in network engineering and cybersecurity within federal environments.
• 2+ years architecting, driving adoption of, and overseeing Zero Trust implementations at scale.
• Experience leading teams and governing complex architectures for defense programs and mission-critical operations.
• Clearance: Top Secret; ability to work in classified environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional engineering and architect teams to define the architectural vision for Zero Trust.
• Oversee full lifecycle of secure network architecture from design to sustainment.
• Guide policy, standards, and accreditation activities across DoW initiatives.
• Mentor technical teams and align investments with DoW strategy.

Skills

Zero Trust architecture

Leadership

Network engineering

Cybersecurity

RMF/ATO processes

DoD/federal environments

Identity and Access Management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

HS diploma or GED

Tools

Palo Alto

Cisco

Juniper

Dell

VMware

Elastic

F5

Job description

Zero Trust Engineer, Lead page is loaded## Zero Trust Engineer, Leadlocations: McLean, VAtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todaytime left to apply: End Date: January 3, 2027 (30+ days left to apply)job requisition id: R0251096Zero Trust Engineer, Lead**The Opportunity:**The Department of War (DoW) relies on resilient, secure, and intelligently architected networks to execute its mission at speed and scale. As a senior Zero Trust Engineer lead, you will serve as a strategic leader responsible for shaping, governing, and advancing enterprise-wide security and network architecture. You will guide the transformation of complex, distributed environments toward mature Zero Trust capabilities that strengthen mission readiness and safeguard national security.In this senior leadership role, you will lead cross-functional engineering and architect teams, define the architectural vision, establish technical standards, and steer multi-year modernization initiatives across mission and enterprise systems. You will partner with executive stakeholders and program leadership to align network and cybersecurity investments with evolving operational requirements. Your expertise will influence enterprise policy, design authorities, and long-term strategic planning across DoW organizations.You will oversee the full lifecycle of secure network architecture - from conceptual design through implementation, sustainment, and continuous improvement - ensuring solutions are scalable, interoperable, and compliant with DoW directives. As a senior ZT engineer, you will drive the adoption of Zero Trust principles, lead integration efforts across cloud and on-premises environments, and ensure alignment with DoW Zero Trust strategy and reference architectures.This is an opportunity to lead at the highest levels of technical strategy, shaping how modern defense networks are secured and operated. You will help drive enterprise change, mentor technical teams, and advance mission resilience in an increasingly complex threat landscape. Additionally, you will apply expertise as a results-oriented technical leader to help shape new capabilities, applications, and services to the market and developing new business.Join us. The world can't wait.**You Have:*** 8+ years of experience in network engineering and cybersecurity within DoW or federal environments, including leadership roles influencing enterprise architecture and strategic transformation* 2+ years of experience architecting, driving adoption of, and overseeing Zero Trust implementations at scale* Experience developing and governing Zero Trust enterprise architectures aligned with DoW Zero Trust strategy and target-level frameworks* Experience leading teams in the documentation, communication, and approval of complex architectures supporting defense programs and mission-critical operations* Experience in technical leadership spanning Identity and Access Management, micro-segmentation, endpoint security, data-centric environments, virtualization, and secure network or cloud architecture* Experience operating within classified environments and advising senior stakeholders on secure design decisions* Knowledge of DoW security standards, RMF or ATO processes, and compliance frameworks* Ability to guide programs through accreditation activities* Top Secret clearance* HS diploma or GED**Nice If You Have:*** Experience steering modernization of DoW networks in mission or tactical environments, including PACOM or Pacific operational theaters* Experience guiding organizations through transitions from legacy perimeter-based designs to mature Zero Trust operating models* Experience with network and security technologies such as Palo Alto, Cisco, Juniper, Dell, HPE, VMware, Elastic, or F5* Experience architecting and governing security for commercial and DoD cloud environments* Experience applying STIGs, conducting enterprise system hardening, and defining associated governance* Experience with Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions and policy enforcement workflows* Knowledge of automation, orchestration, and policy-as-code approaches to enterprise security* CISSP, CISM, CRISC, CCSP, or CCNA Certifications**Clearance:**Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information; Top Secret clearance is required.**Compensation**At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen's benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $99,000.00 to $225,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen's total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.**Identity Statement**As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.**Candidate AI Usage Policy**AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on **your** own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited **unless permission is explicitly provided**.**Work Model**Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings.* **Remote**: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.* **Hybrid**: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen or customer facility, in alignment with your leadership's expectations and the needs of the role.* **Onsite**: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed full-time at a customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.**Commitment to Non-Discrimination**All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.