Principal Cloud Security Architect

Alignerr Corp.; Seattle (WA); Remote; USD 193,000 - 317,000; Full time

Job summary

Alignerr Corp. is seeking a Principal Cloud Security Architect to evaluate multi-cloud architectures, identify architectural weaknesses, and deliver actionable guidance to strengthen security posture.

This fully remote, flexible contract role targets a senior practitioner who can assess IAM policies, network topologies, and multi-cloud deployments with clarity. You will produce prioritized findings, align with security frameworks, and support ongoing assessments across AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in cloud security architecture across major providers.
• Strong IAM, network security, and cloud-native service models.
• Ability to identify architectural risk beyond misconfigurations.
• Proven documentation of complex findings in structured formats.
• Self-directed in asynchronous environments.

Responsibilities

• Assess cloud architectures across AWS, Azure, and GCP for security gaps and insecure designs.
• Review IAM configurations, privilege models, network segments, and resource policies.
• Identify privilege escalation risks, lateral movement paths, and design flaws.
• Produce structured findings documents with prioritized mitigation guidance.
• Validate alignment with security frameworks and industry best practices.
• Support recurring assessments of evolving deployments.
• Convey complex risks clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Cloud security architecture

IAM design

Network security

Documentation & reporting

Independent work

Tools

CSPM tools

IaC security review

Job description

About The Role

What if your deep expertise in cloud security could directly shape how enterprise-scale environments defend themselves against the threats that matter most? We're looking for a Principal Cloud Security Architect to evaluate complex cloud infrastructures, expose architectural weaknesses, and deliver the kind of structured, expert guidance that actually moves the needle on security posture.

About The Role

What if your deep expertise in cloud security could directly shape how enterprise-scale environments defend themselves against the threats that matter most? We're looking for a Principal Cloud Security Architect to evaluate complex cloud infrastructures, expose architectural weaknesses, and deliver the kind of structured, expert guidance that actually moves the needle on security posture. This is a fully remote, flexible contract role for a senior practitioner who knows cloud security inside and out — someone who can look at an IAM policy, a network topology, or a multi-cloud deployment and immediately see what's wrong, why it matters, and what to do about it.

What You'll Do

• Assess cloud architectures across AWS, Azure, and GCP for security gaps, misconfigurations, and insecure design patterns
• Review IAM configurations, privilege models, network segmentation strategies, and resource policies in depth
• Identify privilege escalation risks, lateral movement paths, and long-term architectural design flaws
• Produce clear, structured findings documents with prioritised mitigation guidance
• Validate alignment with established security frameworks and industry best practices
• Support recurring assessments of cloud environments and evolving deployment patterns
• Communicate complex technical risks in a way that's actionable for both technical and non-technical audiences

Who You Are

• Deep, hands-on experience in cloud security architecture across one or more major providers
• Strong command of IAM design, network security, and cloud-native service models
• Proven ability to identify architectural risk — not just misconfigurations, but systemic design weaknesses
• Skilled at documenting complex technical findings in clear, structured, professional formats
• Self-directed and reliable when working independently in an asynchronous environment

Nice To Have

• Experience with multi-cloud environments, zero-trust architecture, or high-compliance frameworks (FedRAMP, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, etc.)
• Familiarity with cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools or infrastructure-as-code security review
• Relevant certifications such as AWS Security Specialty, CCSP, CISSP, or equivalent
• Background in red team, penetration testing, or threat modelling

Why Join Us

• Work on meaningful, technically challenging security engagements that make a real difference
• Fully remote and async-friendly — work when and where you do your best thinking
• Freelance autonomy with structured, substantive work to sink your teeth into
• Engage across a variety of cloud environments and architectural patterns — no two assessments are the same
• Potential for ongoing contract work and expanded scope as new engagements launch