Principal Security Architect | Private AI Cloud Infrastructure

Location: Reston / McLean, Virginia
Compensation: $250,000–$340,000 base + equity + benefits
Type: Full-Time | On-site

We are partnering with a well-funded AI research organization building advanced machine learning systems that require extremely secure and resilient infrastructure.

They are seeking a Principal Security Architect to lead the design of a private cloud environment used to train and operate large-scale AI systems.

This is not a traditional cloud security role. The focus is on designing and securing the infrastructure itself — from compute clusters and networking layers to cryptographic controls protecting sensitive models and research data.

What You’ll Do

Design Secure Infrastructure

Architect a private cloud environment designed to protect highly sensitive machine learning systems and datasets.

Network And Compute Isolation

Develop security architecture for distributed GPU compute clusters, including hardened networking, segmentation, and zero-trust communication between services.

Security Architecture

Define how identity, cryptography, and infrastructure controls interact across compute, storage, and networking layers.

Threat Modeling

Design systems assuming persistent adversarial pressure and build architectures that remain resilient under compromise scenarios.

Infrastructure Automation

Work with platform engineering teams to implement secure infrastructure deployments using Infrastructure-as-Code and immutable infrastructure principles.

Technical Background

Strong candidates typically have experience with several of the following:

  • Linux systems security
  • Kubernetes and container orchestration
  • Distributed systems infrastructure
  • Cloud security architecture
  • Hardware-rooted security (HSMs, TEEs, confidential computing)
  • Infrastructure automation (Terraform, Pulumi)
  • Programming in Go, Rust, or similar systems languages

Ideal Profile

You are someone who:

  • Thinks about infrastructure security at the architectural level
  • Has experience securing large distributed systems
  • Understands both defensive security and real-world attacker behavior
  • Enjoys solving difficult systems problems rather than managing tools

About The Opportunity

This role is with a confidential client operating in advanced AI research.

The organization is building high-performance compute infrastructure designed to support next-generation machine learning systems.

You will work alongside world-class engineers focused on distributed systems, machine learning infrastructure, and applied security.

Compensation

Expected base salary range: $250,000 – $340,000, plus performance bonus and equity.

Final compensation will depend on experience and technical depth.

Next Step

To be considered, complete the application below.

Interested? Apply here