Principal Cloud Security Architect

Northwest Partners; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Short term Disability

Long-term Disability

Life Insurance

Education Benefits

Job summary

A dynamic consulting firm is seeking an experienced Cloud Security Architect to define architectural patterns and security standards for cloud environments. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years in information security and possess extensive knowledge in cloud security concepts. Responsibilities include leading security strategy, conducting assessments, and collaborating across teams. This full-time contract position offers competitive benefits including health and education support.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in information security and risk management, including 5+ years in security architecture.
• Extensive knowledge of cloud security concepts and architectures.
• Hands-on experience in architecting secure cloud solutions across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.

Responsibilities

• Lead the cloud security architecture strategy and standards.
• Collaborate to implement secure cloud platforms.
• Conduct security assessments and identify architectural gaps.

Skills

Cloud security architecture

Data protection

Risk management

Incident response

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

CIS Benchmarks

NIST SP 800-series

Job description

Strategic Communicator, Solutions Specialist, Veteran

Northwest Partners is engaged in a strategic initiative with a well-established real estate organization and seeks an experienced cloud security architect to lead the secure cloud computing strategy. This position will define architectural patterns and security standards while aligning with industry best practices for deployment in cloud environments.

What YOU will do

• lead the cloud security architecture strategy, including standards, guidelines, procedures, and infrastructure requirements
• collaborate across infrastructure and development teams to implement secure cloud platforms and application designs
• conduct security assessments, identify architectural gaps, and drive improvements
• manage vendor evaluations and proof-of-concepts for security tools and services
• define enterprise security requirements and influence security tool selection
• develop solutions aligned with industry frameworks (e.g., NIST 800‑53, ISO 27002)
• act as a security SME within architectural committees to guide secure technology adoption
• mentor architecture teams on cloud security and best practices
• oversee the threat management program, including modeling, hunting, and SOC integration
• support security incident investigations and ensure post‑incident remediations
• lead data protection efforts including discovery, mapping, and data loss prevention
• assess emerging threats and develop detection engineering strategies
• mentor junior staff in cybersecurity and architecture

What YOU will bring us

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field
• 15+ years in information security and risk management, including 5+ years in security architecture and cloud environments
• Extensive knowledge of cloud security concepts and architectures, including IAM, CI/CD, data protection, detection, and container security
• Experience managing cloud projects and implementing leading cloud security frameworks (e.g., CIS Benchmarks, Cloud Security Alliance, NIST SP 800‑series)
• Ability to guide compliance with regulations (e.g., PCI‑DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, PHI)
• Hands‑on experience in architecting secure cloud solutions across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
• Proven ability to lead large‑scale security programs (e.g., SOC, SSDLC, DLP)
• Expertise in automation, APIs, and risk assessment methodologies
• Past involvement in incident response, malware analysis, and forensic investigations
• Strong communication and leadership skills to influence executive and technical audiences

Declaimer: All candidates will be asked to briefly show a government‑issued ID on video during the first interview. This step protects the integrity of the hiring process given the rise in applicant impersonation and employment fraud.

Benefits Include:

Health Insurance, Vision Insurance, Dental Insurance, Short term Disability, Long‑term Disability, Life Insurance, Education Benefits and more.

About Northwest Partners

Northwest Partners is an equal opportunity employer. At Northwest Partners we are dedicated to moving at the speed of innovation. We work with clients across the globe to provide exceptional knowledge, talent, and resources. As a trusted partner, we merge the client's vision with our expertise to deliver powerful results. Northwest Partners is known for building and managing elite teams in technology across diverse industries. Our mission is to empower every talent and every client to achieve more.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Contract

Job function

Information Technology and Engineering

Industries: IT Services, IT Consulting, Computer and Network Security