Senior Cybersecurity Architect

DEFEND; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3.5% KiwiSaver on top of base salary

Southern Cross Health Insurance

Mobile and Broadband discounts

Flexible, hybrid work environment

Home office allowance

EAP services

Job summary

DEFEND is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Architect in Auckland to lead enterprise security design across on-premises and multi-cloud environments. You will steer security engagements end-to-end, from business requirements to architecture governance, delivering high-level and detailed designs that align with business goals.

As a trusted advisor, you will guide customers and DEFEND colleagues on cyber resilience, while shaping patterns and operating models for scalable security across cloud, SaaS,

Qualifications

• 10+ years in cybersecurity architecture for enterprise customers.
• Strong consulting and stakeholder management experience.
• Proven ability to deliver end-to-end security engagements.
• Experience securing hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and design of enterprise security solutions across on-premises and multi-cloud environments.
• Drive security engagements from requirements through delivery and governance.
• Deliver high-level and detailed designs, reference architectures, and security patterns.
• Act as trusted advisor to customers and DEFEND colleagues on cyber resilience.
• Design and optimize security capabilities across cloud, SaaS, and enterprise settings.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across the DEFEND team.

Skills

Enterprise security architecture

Customer-facing consulting

Multi-cloud security (Azure AWS GCP)

Security monitoring and SIEM

Threat assessment and risk management

Regulatory compliance (PCI DSS)

SaaS security

Leadership and mentoring

Documentation and reporting

Stakeholder management

Tools

Microsoft Purview

Zscaler

Proofpoint

Azure

AWS

GCP

Job description

At DEFEND, our dream is to improve everyday life by creating a cyber resilient world. As a Senior Cybersecurity Architect, you will help customers navigate complex cybersecurity challenges, develop strategic roadmaps, and architect secure solutions that enable business success while strengthening cyber resilience.

This role is not only a thought leader for our customers, but also a recognised security subject matter expert for both customers and DEFEND colleagues. You will be trusted to lead complex security engagements end-to-end, influence strategic outcomes, and deliver architecture that drives meaningful business value.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the architecture and design of enterprise security solutions across on-premises and multi-cloud environments, ensuring security, scalability, resilience, and business alignment.
• Lead security engagements throughout the entire lifecycle, from business requirements and strategic planning through to architecture, design, governance, and successful delivery.
• Own the delivery of high-level designs, detailed designs, concept analysis, reference architectures, security patterns, and operating models that enable successful customer outcomes.
• Act as a trusted advisor to customers and stakeholders, providing strategic cybersecurity guidance, thought leadership, and helping shape their cyber resilience journey.
• Design and optimise security capabilities across cloud, SaaS, hybrid, and enterprise environments, including security monitoring, detection, governance, and data protection solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across the DEFEND team, sharing knowledge, promoting architectural excellence, and contributing to the evolution of our practices and capabilities.

Requirements

• 10+ years' experience as a Cybersecurity Architect designing and delivering security solutions for enterprise customers, with a proven track record of leading complex security engagements and strategic initiatives.
• Strong customer-facing consulting experience, including stakeholder engagement, relationship management, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor to both technical and executive audiences.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to confidently write and review architecture designs, reports, procedures, standards, and executive-level recommendations, while translating complex technical concepts into meaningful business outcomes.
• An outcomes-focused mindset with the ability to translate business requirements into practical, secure, and scalable solutions that meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Proven experience identifying, assessing, and mitigating cyber threats while advising organisations on the secure adoption of new technologies, operating models, and business processes.
• Extensive experience securing hybrid and multi-cloud environments, including the design and security of Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) solutions, and managing risks associated with IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS services.
• Experience securing enterprise SaaS and business-critical platforms such as Salesforce, SAP, and other strategic business applications.
• Strong expertise in enterprise security monitoring and detection capabilities, including modern SIEM, SOAR, SOC operating models, and observability platforms.
• Deep understanding of security architecture principles, including logging, monitoring, alerting, security controls, secrets management, certificate lifecycle management, and enterprise security frameworks.
• Experience with data protection and information governance technologies and practices, including data classification, data handling, data labelling, and enterprise data security strategies.
• Hands‑on experience with modern cybersecurity technologies such as Microsoft Purview, Zscaler, Proofpoint, and related enterprise security platforms.
• Strong understanding of compliance and regulatory frameworks, including PCI DSS and other security standards relevant to enterprise environments.
• Experience assessing enterprise environments and documenting business, security, and operational workflows to support architecture, governance, and transformation outcomes.
• Knowledge of emerging security domains, including AI security risks, governance considerations, and secure AI adoption practices.
• Experience with Cloudflare, Vercel, and modern edge, cloud, and distributed security architectures.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex customer engagements simultaneously while maintaining high-quality deliverables and meeting tight deadlines.
• Strong collaboration and leadership skills, with a commitment to mentoring others, sharing knowledge, and contributing positively to a high‑performing consulting team.

Benefits

About DEFEND:

Our dream at DEFEND is to improve everyday life by creating a cyber resilient world. Over the last few years, we've experienced phenomenal growth and winning several industry awards, including Microsoft's Global Partner of the Year for 2025!

Why DEFEND?

We believe in investing in our employees' growth and providing them with opportunities to advance their skills and careers. We offer a collaborative workplace culture, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where innovative thinking is encouraged.

By joining our innovative and creative team you will have the opportunity to contribute a variety of cybersecurity outcomes, from culture & awareness of cyber resilience, through to offensive & defensive security. No matter what your role, everyone at DEFEND contributes towards our dream ofcreating a cyber resilient world.

The benefits of working at DEFEND

In addition to workingfor a growing, dynamic NZcompany, DEFEND offers the following benefits to all ourDEFENDers

• 3.5%Kiwisaveron top of your base salary

• Southern Cross Health Insurance coverage

• Mobile and Broadband discounts for yourself and family

• Flexible, hybrid work environment

• An allowance to contribute to your home office setup

• Access to EAP services to support youacross a range of wellbeing needs

Diversity & Inclusion:

At DEFEND, we celebrate a variety of perspectives and experiences. We know from experience that people from underrepresented groups often don't apply for roles they don't feel they meet all the criteria for. We're committed to creating an environment that enables all our team to thrive. If you think you have what it takes, but don't check every single box, please consider applying. We'd love to hear how you might contribute to the team and being our next DEFENDer.