Security Architect
About the role
A global consumer products and retail organization is seeking a Security Architect to help drive enterprise-wide security strategy and innovation. Based in Los Angeles, California, the company operates a complex technology ecosystem spanning cloud platforms, enterprise applications, infrastructure, and global business operations. This is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking organization where security is viewed as a business enabler and innovation, including emerging AI technologies, is actively embraced.
The Security Architect serves as a strategic and hands-on security leader responsible for embedding security-by-design principles across technology initiatives. This role partners closely with infrastructure, engineering, application, cloud, and business teams to establish security architecture standards, provide design oversight, and guide the adoption of emerging technologies. The ideal candidate is proactive, technically broad, comfortable wearing multiple hats, and excited about helping shape the organization's security strategy for cloud, AI, automation, and modern enterprise technologies.
Responsibilities
- Define, implement, and evolve the organization's security architecture operating model and governance framework.
- Develop practical security roadmaps aligned to business priorities, technology strategy, and emerging threats.
- Lead security architecture efforts for cloud, infrastructure, applications, data protection, and identity management initiatives.
- Establish enterprise security standards, architectural principles, and reusable design patterns.
- Evaluate technologies, platforms, and solution designs to ensure alignment with security requirements and risk objectives.
- Partner with engineering and technology teams to incorporate security early in the design and development lifecycle.
- Provide subject matter expertise for emerging technologies, including AI, machine learning, automation, and intelligent systems.
- Support security tooling strategy, architecture reviews, platform integrations, and operational improvements.
- Develop reference architectures and guidance that enable secure and scalable technology adoption.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to assess risk, recommend mitigation strategies, and improve security posture.
- Ensure security architecture aligns with relevant compliance, privacy, and governance requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance security maturity across the organization.
Requirements
- 8+ years of experience across information security, infrastructure, networking, systems engineering, software engineering, or related technology disciplines.
- Broad enterprise security knowledge spanning cloud platforms, applications, infrastructure, networking, identity, and data protection.
- Experience developing security architecture frameworks, standards, governance models, and reference architectures.
- Strong understanding of cloud security principles across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or similar environments.
- Experience supporting application security, secure development practices, and software development lifecycles.
- Hands-on experience with security technologies such as firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, endpoint security solutions, SIEM platforms, and web application security controls.
- Knowledge of data protection, privacy, access management, and enterprise security best practices.
- Strong documentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on architectural guidance and technical problem solving.
- Experience working effectively across technical and business teams to drive security outcomes.
Qualifications
- Experience evaluating and securing AI, machine learning, automation, or agent-based technologies.
- Experience leveraging AI and automation to improve security architecture, governance, or operational processes.
- Familiarity with SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS security architectures and associated risks.
- Experience developing security programs within large, global enterprise environments.
- Knowledge of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements such as PCI-DSS, SOX, GDPR, CCPA, or similar standards.
- GIAC, CISSP, CCSP, or other recognized cybersecurity certifications.
- Experience creating architectural standards, policies, governance processes, and technical guidance documentation.
- Strong consultative mindset with the ability to influence decision-making and drive consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Passion for emerging security technologies, innovation, and continuous learning.
Pay
Salary range: $180,000 - $230,000 annually; 10% annual bonus opportunity.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) retirement savings program
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Professional development and certification support
- Employee discounts and wellness programs
- Competitive total rewards package
Schedule
Three onsite days per week required.