Product Security Lead Architect

Merck; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the pharmaceutical industry seeks a Product Security Lead Architect to shape their organizational security landscape. This role involves designing innovative security controls, collaborating with cross-functional teams, conducting security assessments, and mentoring junior team members amidst exciting international projects within a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Pension and health insurance contributions

Five weeks annual leave

Flexible role pattern

Cafeteria for tax-free benefits

Up-to-date laptop and iPhone

Qualifications

• Experience in Cloud Security, DevSecOps, and AI/ML security.
• Familiarity with security controls and frameworks.
• Solid understanding of OWASP Top Ten.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of security controls.
• Perform security assessments and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Mentor junior team members and foster continuous learning.

Skills

Security Design

Collaboration

Threat Modeling

Mentoring

Continuous Learning

Job description

Job Description

As the Product Security Lead Architect, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the security landscape of our organization. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Designing Security Controls: Lead the design and implementation of innovative and robust security controls across various domains (Cloud, AI, DevSecOps,...), ensuring alignment with industry best practices and regulatory requirements

• Collaborating with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with engineering, product management, IT, and other relevant teams to integrate security controls seamlessly into existing and new systems

• Conducting Security Assessments: Perform security assessments and threat modeling to identify potential vulnerabilities and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies

• Developing Security Architectures & Patterns: Create and maintain comprehensive security architectures that address the unique needs of different projects and initiatives

• Providing Technical Guidance: Serve as a subject matter expert, offering technical guidance and support to engineering teams during the development and deployment of security solutions

• Mentoring and Leadership: Mentor junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the security design team

We are looking for a passionate and skilled security professional with demonstrated experience in at least one of the following domains:

Cloud Security

• Hands-on experience with securing workloads and architectures in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

• Familiarity with native cloud security controls and cloud governance frameworks

DevSecOps & Secure Software Development

• Practical experience integrating security into the DevOps lifecycle

• Infrastructure as Code (IaC) scanning and policy enforcement (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation)

• Secure CI/CD pipeline design

• Use of SAST (Static Application Security Testing) and DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) tools

• Integration of security gates into the Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC)

AI/ML Security

• Understanding of AI/ML security risks such as:

• Model poisoning, adversarial inputs, data leakage, and model theft

• Experience securing ML pipelines, training data governance, or runtime protection

• Familiarity with AI Security Posture Management (AI-SPM) or relevant AI risk frameworks (e.g., NIST AI RMF, EU AI Act)

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

• Knowledge of identity governance, authentication, authorization, role-based access control (RBAC), and federated identity systems (e.g., SAML, OAuth, OIDC)

Data Security

• Understanding of data classification, data loss prevention (DLP), encryption at rest/in transit, and secure data storage

• Experience implementing access controls, tokenization, and data protection in cloud-native environments

On top of that, we also expect you to match following boxes:

• Fast learner with the ability to grasp new security domains and emerging technologies

• Skilled in translating complex technical concepts for diverse audiences, including stakeholders and leadership

• Proven ability to design security solutions and guide implementation by engineering teams

• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills across global and cross-functional teams

• Demonstrated passion for continuous learning and driving product security maturity

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Solid understanding of the OWASP Top Ten and best-practice mitigations (e.g., XSS, SQLi, CSRF).

• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and secure development practices in iterative environments.

• Experience implementing secrets management, key management, and cryptographic controls following industry standards (e.g., NIST, ISO).

• Awareness of containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) and associated security risks and hardening techniques.

• Working knowledge of networking and web technologies (e.g., TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS, TLS, DNS, SSH, REST APIs).

• Ability to read and understand code in one or more languages (e.g., Python, Java, JavaScript, .NET) and apply secure coding principles.

Our Offer

The primary location is Czechia, benefits in the US may vary.

• Exciting work in a great team, global projects, international environment

• Opportunity to learn and grow professionally within the company globally

• Hybrid working model, flexible role pattern

• Pension and health insurance contributions

• Internal reward system plus referral program

• 5 weeks annual leave, 5 sick days, 15 days of certified sick leave paid above statutory requirements annually, 40 paid hours annually for volunteering activities, 12 weeks of parental contribution

• Cafeteria for tax free benefits according to your choice (meal vouchers, Lítačka, sport, culture, health, travel, etc.), Multisport Card

• Vodafone, Raiffeisen Bank, Foodora, and Mall.cz discount programs

• Up-to-date laptop and iPhone

• Parking in the garage for drivers or showers for bikers

• Competitive salary, incentive pay, and many more

Ready to take up the challenge? Apply now!
Know anybody who might be interested? Refer this job!

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Remote

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Agile Application Development, Agile Methodology, AWS Architecture, Business, Cloud Governance, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Design Applications, Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), Information Security, Kubernetes, Management Process, OWASP Top 10, Python (Programming Language), Role Based Access Control (RBAC), Security Operations, Security Solutions, SLA Management, Social Collaboration, Software Development, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), System Designs, Technical Advice, Vulnerability Scanning

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

07/3/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID:R351706