Cybersecurity Architect

Ports North; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 151,536 - 179,088; Full time

Job summary

Ports North in Baltimore, MD is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Architect to lead enterprise security design and governance. The role focuses on NIST-aligned architectures across cloud and on-prem environments, translating business needs into secure blueprints and guiding risk mitigation.

Ideal candidates bring 7–10 years in cybersecurity with 3+ years in architecture, strong knowledge of NIST frameworks, and experience with regulated environments.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of cybersecurity experience with 3+ years in security architecture or similar
• Deep knowledge of NIST CSF, SP 800-53, 800-171, 800-207 Zero Trust
• Experience designing/reviewing secure architectures for enterprise systems and cloud environments (AWS/Azure)
• Strong understanding of IAM, network security, data protection, and application security
• Familiarity with regulated environments and mapping controls to compliance frameworks
• Knowledge of emerging AI/GenAI security considerations and governance

Responsibilities

• Develop enterprise security architectures aligned with NIST standards across cloud, on-prem, and hybrid environments
• Translate business and technical requirements into secure solution blueprints
• Lead architecture reviews for new technologies and risk mitigation
• Collaborate with engineering and infrastructure teams to ensure secure deployments
• Contribute to reference architectures and security patterns
• Mentor junior architects and security engineers
• Communicate complex security concepts to business leaders

Skills

Cybersecurity experience

Security architecture

NIST frameworks

Cloud security (AWS, Azure)

IAM, network security, data protection

Application security

GenAI security

Regulatory/compliance alignment

Job description

Position Summary

Leading consumer lending company is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Architect with deep expertise in NIST frameworks, enterprise security solution design, solution review, and governance. This strategic role is critical to shaping and guiding secure technology implementations across the organization. The ideal candidate is both a technical expert and a governance leader-someone who can design robust cybersecurity architectures and ensure alignment with regulatory and organizational standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop enterprise-wide security architectures aligned to NIST standards (e.g., NIST CSF, SP 800-53, SP 800-171, SP 800-207)


• Design scalable, secure solutions that address identified risks and business objectives across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments


• Translate business and technical requirements into secure solution blueprints


• Contribute to the development of reference architectures and security patterns

Solution Review & Risk Mitigation

• Lead architecture and security reviews for new technologies, applications, and systems


• Identify gaps and weaknesses in proposed solutions and advise on appropriate risk mitigation strategies


• Collaborate with engineering and infrastructure teams to ensure secure deployment of systems and services


• Provide technical guidance to project and product teams throughout the system development lifecycle

Governance & Standards

• Develop and maintain security architecture standards, policies, and control frameworks in alignment with NIST and industry best practices


• Participate in or lead internal security governance boards and architecture review boards


• Ensure solutions meet internal risk, compliance, and regulatory requirements (e.g., CMMC, ISO 27001, PCI DSS)


• Contribute to maturity assessments and continuous improvement efforts for cybersecurity architecture

Collaboration & Leadership

• Act as a subject matter expert on cybersecurity architecture for stakeholders across IT, engineering, compliance, and risk teams


• Mentor junior architects and security engineers


• Communicate complex technical and risk concepts clearly to business leaders and non-technical audiences


• Stay up to date on emerging threats, technologies, and changes to the NIST ecosystem

Qualifications

Required

• 7-10 years of experience in cybersecurity, with 3+ years in a security architecture or similar role


• Deep working knowledge of NIST frameworks (CSF, SP 800-53, 800-171, 800-207 Zero Trust)


• Demonstrated experience designing and reviewing secure architectures for enterprise systems and cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure)


• Strong understanding of cybersecurity domains including identity and access management (IAM), network security, data protection, and application security


• Strong understanding of LLMs, AI, and GenAI solutions including agentic AI and MCP hardening.


• Experience working in a regulated environment and aligning technical controls to compliance frameworks


• Excellent communication, collaboration, and documentation skills

Preferred

• Industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, SABSA, or AWS Certified Security


• Experience with Zero Trust Architecture and modern security models


• Familiarity with DevSecOps and infrastructure-as-code security


• Experience working in large, complex, or federal/compliance-driven organizations

Title Cybersecurity Architect
Location: Baltimore, MD
Client Industry Finance
Compensation $110-130/hr