Director, Cyber Architecture & Engineering

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 199,800 - 270,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and wellness days

Job summary

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA is hiring a Director of Cybersecurity Architecture. This hybrid role involves defining and driving the security architecture strategy, ensuring innovation while protecting the organization's science and patients. Responsibilities include designing a Zero Trust architecture, establishing governance, and leading a team of architects. The position requires strong leadership in cybersecurity and significant experience in security architecture. Comprehensive benefits and a competitive salary range of $199,800 - $270,300 are offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in cybersecurity.
• 8+ years of leadership experience in architecture or engineering teams.
• Industry-recognized certifications (e.g., CISSP, TOGAF) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and own cybersecurity architecture aligned to business growth.
• Lead the design of a Zero Trust architecture.
• Establish cyber reference architectures and standards.

Skills

Leadership

Cybersecurity architecture

Cloud security

Data protection

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Master's degree or MBA preferred

Job description

Overview

Alnylam is pioneering RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics and scaling for impact across research, clinical development, manufacturing, and global commercialization. Our Cybersecurity organization is evolving to match that ambition, and we're seeking a Director of Cybersecurity Architecture to define and drive the security architecture strategy that enables innovation while protecting our science, our patients, and our people.

Reporting directly to the VP/CISO, this leader will own Alnylam's cyber architecture and target security state, translate strategy into actionable standards and roadmaps, and ensure security is embedded into enterprise initiatives from inception through delivery. This role balances long-term architectural vision with pragmatic execution, partnering closely with across our functions to scale secure‑by‑design practices across the enterprise.

This is a hybrid role and is primarily based in Cambridge, MA with regular engagement across Alnylam technology and business teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and own Alnylam's enterprise cybersecurity architecture and target state aligned to business growth, regulatory requirements, and risk appetite.
• Lead the design and evolution of a Zero Trust architecture, emphasizing identity, least privilege, segmentation, and continuous verification.
• Establish and maintain cyber reference architectures, design patterns, and standards across identity, cloud, applications, data, infrastructure, and endpoints.
• Serve as the senior security architecture authority for major enterprise initiatives, ensuring security is embedded early and consistently.
• Partner with Information Technology and Expertise Areas to align cybersecurity architecture with broader technology strategy and prevent fragmented or duplicative solutions.
• Be responsible for engineering execution that turns strategy into resilient, enterprise‑grade security capabilities.
• Drive architectural input into vendor selection, platform strategy, and solution design, balancing risk reduction with business enablement.
• Establish governance for architecture reviews, risk‑based exceptions, and technical debt remediation.
• Translate cybersecurity strategy into multi‑year roadmaps with clear milestones, dependencies, and measurable outcomes.
• Define and track architecture‑related metrics demonstrating risk reduction, consistency, and maturity progression.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of security architects and engineers, fostering a culture of accountability and strong partnership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, engineering, or related field. Master's degree or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in cybersecurity, security architecture, or enterprise technology design, with 8+ years of leadership experience, including building and leading architecture or engineering teams.
• Industry‑recognized certifications strongly preferred (e.g., CISSP, CCSP, SABSA, TOGAF, or equivalent).
• Deep expertise in designing security architecture across IAM, cloud/hybrid environments, application and API security, network segmentation/Zero Trust, and data protection.
• Strong familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks and standards (e.g., NIST CSF, NIST 800‑53, Zero Trust Architecture concepts).
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive architectural decisions across complex, regulated environments.
• Proven record of balancing strategic vision with practical execution in fast‑moving organizations.
• Excellent communication skills, translating complex technical concepts into clear business impact.

U.S. Pay Range

$199,800.00 - $270,300.00

The pay range reflects the full‑time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short‑term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long‑term incentive award (e.g., equity).

Alnylam's robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well‑being. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k) with a generous company match. Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company‑wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave.

Learn more about these and additional benefits offered by Alnylam by visiting the Benefits section of the Careers website: https://www.alnylam.com/careers

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E‑Verify Employer.