Security Architect

Approach Consulting; Canberra; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Approach Consulting in Canberra seeks a Security Architect to shape secure technology across a large government environment. You will influence enterprise architecture, embed security by design, and drive practical risk-based decisions from cloud to data platforms.

You will bring strong experience in cloud, infrastructure, applications, identity and data security, with proven stakeholder engagement and an NV1 clearance requirement. This role is contract to June 2027 with extensions.

Qualifications

• Proven Security Architect with large-scale, complex environments.
• Experience embedding security into enterprise architecture and programs.
• Strong ability to influence technology decisions across teams.
• NV1 clearance or ability to obtain clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and assurance of secure technology solutions across a diverse enterprise.
• Provide security architecture guidance across cloud, infrastructure, apps, identity, data.
• Develop and maintain security standards, patterns and reference architectures.
• Embed security requirements early in technology initiatives and programs.
• Conduct architecture reviews, risk assessments and design assurance activities.
• Identify and mitigate security risks through the solution lifecycle.
• Contribute to enterprise security roadmaps and uplift initiatives.
• Support development of consistent security controls across the landscape.
• Advise aligned to ISM, PSPF and Zero Trust frameworks.

Skills

Security Architecture

Cloud Security

Risk Assessments

Stakeholder Engagement

Zero Trust Principles

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS or related field

Certifications (CISSP/CISM)

Tools

ISM Framework

PSPF familiarity

Job description

Duration: Contract to June 2027 with up to 24 months further extensions.

Location: Canberra, ACT (no other locations considered)

AGSVA Clearance: NV1 Required

This is an opportunity to influence the security direction of a large and complex government environment undertaking significant digital and technology transformation.

The Security Architect will play a critical role in ensuring security is embedded into enterprise architecture, technology investments and project delivery from the outset. Working across architecture, cyber security and delivery teams, you will help shape secure, resilient and trusted technology outcomes while supporting the organisation's broader cyber security objectives.

Critically, this role is not focused solely on governance or compliance. The successful candidate will drive practical security outcomes by influencing technology decisions, developing target-state architectures and ensuring security considerations are built into solutions by design.

The Role

Working closely with Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, Cyber Security teams and senior stakeholders, you will:

• Lead the design and assurance of secure technology solutions across a diverse enterprise environment.
• Provide security architecture guidance across cloud, infrastructure, applications, identity, integration and data platforms.
• Develop and maintain security standards, design patterns and reference architectures.
• Ensure security requirements are embedded early in technology initiatives and transformation programs.
• Conduct architecture reviews, risk assessments and design assurance activities.
• Identify and mitigate security risks throughout the solution lifecycle.
• Contribute to enterprise security roadmaps and cyber security uplift initiatives.
• Support the development of consistent security controls and practices across the technology landscape.
• Provide architectural advice aligned to government security frameworks, including ISM, PSPF and contemporary security principles such as Zero Trust.

About You

You will be an experienced Security Architect or senior cyber security professional with a strong track record of influencing architecture and technology decisions within complex environments. You will understand how to balance security requirements with business outcomes and be comfortable engaging with technical teams, project stakeholders and senior leaders alike.

Most importantly, you will be someone who sees security as an enabler of successful transformation rather than a control applied after the fact.

You will bring:

• Experience designing and governing secure enterprise technology solutions.
• Strong knowledge across cloud, infrastructure, application, identity and data security domains.
• Experience conducting security architecture reviews and risk assessments.
• A practical understanding of security frameworks, standards and architectural best practice.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication and advisory skills.
• The ability to influence decision-making across large and complex organisations.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to shape security architecture at an enterprise level and directly influence how technology is designed, delivered and protected.

Your work will help strengthen cyber resilience, improve security maturity and support the delivery of secure, trusted digital services that make a genuine impact.