Associate Director, Cyber Architecture & Engineering

About the role

KPMG is seeking an Associate Director, Cyber Architecture & Engineering to join our Enterprise Security Services organization. This role involves applying advanced knowledge of IT security and architecture to lead the implementation and day-to-day operational responsibilities of a comprehensive information security strategy aligned with the firm’s goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

• Apply advanced IT security and architecture knowledge to implement and lead the operational responsibilities of a comprehensive information security strategy that aligns with the firm’s goals and addresses evolving threats.
• Serve as an internal senior trusted advisor, providing security consulting across multiple technical domains to project teams and senior leaders, explaining security risk trade-offs, and solving complex problems through compensating control alternatives.
• Design secure applications, platforms, and security controls across on-premises and multi-cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP), including AI-enabled and agentic AI solutions; partner with technology teams to align security standards and drive consistent architecture practices.
• Develop and maintain relationships with public and private cloud vendors to advocate for product enhancements, inform stakeholders of forthcoming features, and research security controls, configuration baselines, and design patterns supporting risk assessments and secure architectures.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in information security, evaluate and improve the organization’s security posture, and facilitate internal skills development on new technologies, controls, and threats.
• Provide security guidance on emerging technologies, including AI-enabled applications and agentic AI, ensuring security is integrated by design; lead stakeholder engagement, develop executive presentations, and mentor junior team members.
• Act with integrity, professionalism, and personal responsibility to uphold KPMG’s respectful and courteous work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum eight years of recent experience in security architecture, preferably within a professional services firm or similar environment, with deep technical expertise across application development, cloud computing, security, identity and access management, IT infrastructure, and emerging technologies such as AI-enabled platforms and agentic AI workflows.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is preferred; minimum of a high school diploma or GED with ten years of equivalent professional experience.
• Certifications: CISSP and either CCSP or CCSK, or equivalent industry experience. Additional certifications of importance include AZ-500, Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer, AWS Certified Security - Specialty, MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, and AWS Certified Solutions Architect.
• Experience designing and securing solutions in complex, regulated enterprise environments, including “as-a-service” models such as SaaS, AI-enabled, and agentic delivery models.
• Demonstrated ability to define and implement security requirements through collaborative architecture and engineering, ensuring security integration into solution design and implementation, including AI-assisted and agentic workflows.
• Deep understanding of cloud computing architecture, technical design, and implementations, including IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, containerized delivery models, and AI-enabled service delivery across multiple cloud vendors.
• Experience with modern solution delivery methodologies such as Agile and DevSecOps, incorporating security into the system development lifecycle.
• Proven ability to define, document, and peer review technical security standards (e.g., cloud, OS, application, wireless network security) and experience with regulatory requirements such as NIST, PCI, ISO 27001, and HIPAA.
• Excellent verbal/written communication, collaboration, analytical, and presentation skills; ability to interact with individuals at all levels, set goals, and participate in strategic initiatives.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) plans.
• Robust suite of personal well-being benefits to support mental health.
• Personal Time Off per fiscal year, based on job classification, standard work hours, and years of service.
• Two annual breaks where employees are not required to use Personal Time Off: one at year-end and one around the July 4th holiday.

Pay

California Salary Range: $153,000 - $297,000. Salary is determined based on skills, job responsibilities, prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and market considerations. For salary ranges by city outside of California, visit KPMG’s Pay Transparency page.