Principal SOC Architect

Microsoft Corporation; Redmond (WA); Remote; USD 139,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company seeks a Principal SOC Architect to innovate within its Cyber Defense Operations. This role combines technical expertise and strategic vision, focusing on designing and implementing solutions to enhance organization's security posture against digital threats. Join a team driving cutting-edge advancements while fostering inclusive collaboration.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in software development, modeling, cybersecurity, and SOC operations.
• 5+ years with Azure security technologies (e.g., SIEM, Defender XDR).
• 3+ years in systems engineering with SOC experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture of cybersecurity solutions for SOC operations.
• Design scalable and secure solutions to meet cybersecurity needs.
• Collaborate to integrate diverse perspectives into new SOC capabilities.

Skills

Cyber Security

Anomaly Detection

Threat Analytics

Information Technology

Software Development

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related field

Master's Degree or Doctorate in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related field

Tools

Azure Security Technologies

SIEM

SOAR

Azure DevOps

Logic Apps

Job description

Security represents the most critical priorities for our customers in a world awash in digital threats, regulatory scrutiny, and estate complexity. Microsoft Security aspires to make the world a safer place for all. We want to reshape security and empower every user, customer, and developer with a security cloud that protects them with end to end, simplified solutions. The Microsoft Security organization accelerates Microsoft's mission and bold ambitions to ensure that our company and industry is securing digital technology platforms, devices, and clouds in our customers' heterogeneous environments, as well as ensuring the security of our own internal estate. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. In doing so, we create life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world.
We are seeking a Principal SOC Architect to join our team of architects driving innovation within Microsoft's Cyber Defense Operations (CDO) organization. In this principal-level role, you will combine deep technical expertise with user empathy and strategic vision to design and deliver cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that align with the evolving needs of our SOC and its partners. You'll lead the architecture of next-generation systems that leverage technologies like generative AI and large language models (LLMs) to transform how we detect, investigate, and respond to threats-helping to build the most advanced SOC in the world. Success in this role depends on the ability to navigate Microsoft's complex, matrixed environment-building relationships, understanding users' needs, influencing across teams, and aligning stakeholders to drive impact at scale.
This is a US-based role and a flexible work opportunity that can be fully remote, hybrid, or full-time onsite.
Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.
Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities:
- Partner across SOC teams and stakeholders to analyze current business processes and technical solutions, identify blockers, and drive root cause analysis.
- Design and architect robust, scalable, and secure solutions that meet the cybersecurity needs of Microsoft's SOC, Cyber Defense Operations.
- Collaborate with senior leadership, product, and engineering teams to integrate diverse perspectives into the design of new SOC capabilities and services.
- Act as a trusted advisor, providing strategic guidance on complex SOC challenges and recommending security solutions that align with business goals.
- Prioritize and drive initiatives from concept to delivery, ensuring timely and strong execution.
- Promote continuous improvement of SOC tools, tradecraft, and techniques (TTPs) through lessons learned from incidents, industry trends, and emerging technologies-including AI and automation.
- Navigate Microsoft's internal systems, governance structures, and stakeholder networks to accelerate delivery and maximize impact.
Other
- Embody our culture and values
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- 7+ years of experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, modeling, cyber security, anomaly detection, Security Operations Center (SOC) detection, threat analytics, security incident and event management (SIEM), information technology (IT), and operations incident response
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related field.
- 5+ years of operational experience with a broad spectrum of Azure and security technologies such as SIEM, SOAR,Defender XDR, threat intelligence platforms, Logic Apps, Azure DevOps,Azure Data Explorer (Kusto), Azure Data Lake, and Azure Synapse.
- 3+ years of experiencein systems engineering, requirements definition, and implementation of roadmaps.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in a SOC role (e.g.analyst, investigator, hunter, incident responder).
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Other Requirements:
- Microsoft Cloud Background Check . This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter
- Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This position requires verification of citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions. Specifically, this position supports United States federal, state, and/or local government agency customers and is subject to certain citizenship-based restrictions where required or permitted by applicable law. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate's citizenship will be verified with a valid passport.
- Controlled Technology: This role will require access to information that is controlled for export under export control regulations, potentially under the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations or Export Administration Regulations, the EU Dual Use Regulation, and/or other export control regulations.?As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of citizenship, U.S. permanent residency, or other protected status (e.g., under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)) for assessment of eligibility to access the export-controlled information. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, the successful candidate's citizenship will be verified with a valid passport. Lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees may verify status using other documents, where applicable.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 10+ years of experience in software development lifecycle, large-scale computing, modeling, cyber security, and anomaly detection
- OR Master's Degree or Doctorate in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related field.
- CISSP, CISA, CISM, SANS, GCIA, GCIH, OSCP, and / or Security+ certification.
- Expertise in designing and implementing security controls for identity management, encryption, access control, data protection, and advanced threat protection.
- Familiarity with Microsoft's internal systems, governance, and cross-functional collaboration models.
- Experience with architectural diagramming tools (e.g., Visio)
- Hands-on experience building solutions using AI/ML technologies including LLMs and agentic systems.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining strategic focus.
Security Operations Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $304,200 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
Microsoft will accept applications for the role until July 01, 2025.
#SOC #SecOps #Architect
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .