Cyber Security Engineer / Architect

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Cybersecurity Architect to lead the design, implementation, and evolution of a large-scale enterprise security program supporting a highly visible and mission-critical environment. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact by driving security architecture strategy, strengthening cyber defenses, implementing Zero Trust initiatives, and providing technical leadership across complex infrastructure and security operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical leader responsible for developing and maintaining enterprise-wide security architecture and security operations capabilities.
• Design, implement, and maintain enterprise security architectures aligned with industry best practices and compliance requirements.
• Develop security standards, reference architectures, and technical roadmaps.
• Lead Zero Trust initiatives, network segmentation strategies, and security modernization efforts.
• Evaluate and recommend emerging security technologies and solutions.
• Architect and manage next-generation firewall platforms, centralized policy management, and advanced threat prevention services.
• Develop enterprise security policies, rule sets, and access controls.
• Serve as the last escalation point for firewall engineering, troubleshooting, and security design.
• Design secure remote access solutions with MFA and least-privilege access principles.
• Architect site-to-site and remote user VPN solutions.
• Enhance identity-aware access controls and secure connectivity strategies.
• Design and secure corporate and guest wireless environments.
• Implement secure authentication, network segmentation, and encryption standards.
• Strengthen enterprise infrastructure against evolving cyber threats.
• Lead the design, deployment, and optimization of enterprise SIEM capabilities.
• Develop advanced detection content, correlation rules, dashboards, and reporting.
• Improve visibility across cloud, network, endpoint, and infrastructure platforms.
• Develop and enhance incident response plans, procedures, and playbooks.
• Lead technical response efforts during critical cybersecurity incidents.
• Conduct post-incident analyses and drive continuous security improvements.
• Ensure security solutions align with applicable regulatory and security frameworks.
• Conduct security assessments and identify opportunities for risk reduction.
• Develop remediation plans and security improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Security, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field with 7+ years of relevant experience; OR Master's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience; OR PhD with 4+ years of relevant experience.

Skills

• One or more of the following certifications preferred: CISSP, CISM, GIAC, or equivalent advanced cybersecurity certifications.
• Enterprise cybersecurity architecture
• Palo Alto Networks technologies
• Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
• Security Operations Centers (SOC)
• SIEM platforms and threat detection
• Network security engineering
• Zero Trust architecture
• VPN technologies
• Wireless security
• Incident response
• Threat prevention and vulnerability management
• Security governance and compliance frameworks

Ideal candidates will have strong leadership and technical decision-making skills, the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and executive stakeholders, proven experience designing and securing large, complex environments, strong project management and prioritization skills, and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, mission-critical environments while leading multiple cybersecurity initiatives simultaneously.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $90.00/hr.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Schedule

This is a Contract to Hire, fully onsite position based in Orange, CA.