Director, Cyber Architecture & Engineering

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Cambridge, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Lifestyle Reimbursement

FSAs/HSAs

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is seeking a Director of Cyber Architecture & Engineering in Cambridge, MA.

This hybrid role will define and drive the security architecture strategy, embedding security into enterprise initiatives from inception through delivery and scaling secure‑by‑design practices. The leader will own cyber architecture, establish reference architectures, and translate strategy into multi‑year roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in computer science, engineering, or related field.
• 8+ years in cybersecurity/architecture with 4+ years in leadership.
• Certifications such as CISSP/CCSP preferred.
• Deep expertise across IAM, cloud/hybrid, app/API security, data protection.

Responsibilities

• Lead design/evolution of Zero Trust architecture across enterprise.
• Establish cyber reference architectures, patterns, and standards.
• Ensure security is embedded early in major initiatives.
• Govern architecture reviews and risk-based decisions.
• Grow and mentor a team of security architects and engineers.

Skills

Zero Trust

Security Architecture

IAM

Cloud Security

Data Protection

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s in CS/Engineering

Master’s or MBA preferred

Tools

TOGAF

NIST CSF

SABSA

CISSP/CCSP

Job description

Director, Cyber Architecture & Engineering

Cambridge, MA

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

• 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.
• 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.

About Alnylam

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics– a revolutionaryapproach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize‑winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possibleand are just at the beginning of what’s possible. Our deep pipeline, late‑stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, wherean authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinkingfuel one another.

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.

Before applying, please review Alnylam's Candidate Privacy Notice regarding how Alnylam handles Personal Data you provide with your application for employment.

#LI-MH1 #LI-Hybrid

The pay range below 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.

• medical
• dental
• vision coverage
• life and disability insurance
• a lifestyle reimbursement program
• flexible spending and health savings accounts
• 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. Our commitment to your well‑being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.

State Specific Applicant Notices

• Arizona Applicants: To the extent required by applicable law, the Company maintains a smoke‑free workplace.
• Maryland Applicants:
  • UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT AN INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A LIE DETECTOR OR SIMILAR TEST. AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100.
  • The Company considers this Application for Employment to be a part of the personnel record.
• Massachusetts (MA) Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability
• Rhode Island (RI) Applicants: The Company is subject to Chapters 29‑38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, and is therefore covered by the state's workers' compensation law.