Systems Design/Architecture Engineer 5

Adobe; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 177,100 - 256,450; Full time

Job summary

Adobe seeks a Systems Design/Architecture Engineer to shape the security and platform architecture for our technology stack. You will define multi-layered technical artifacts, drive strategic decisions, and mentor engineers across teams.

The role emphasizes IAM, network security, cloud security, and secure SDLC, with a track record of impactful architecture choices and strong cross-team communication.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in systems development, architecture engineering, or related field.
• Proficiency in identity/access management, cryptography, network security, cloud security, or secure SDLC.
• Experience with threat modeling methods and architecting scalable systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver robust architectural artifacts and reference architectures.
• Align architecture with business strategy and growth goals.
• Craft system architectures covering IAM, network segmentation, app security and data protection.
• Enforce architectural standards across product teams.
• Collaborate with business units to represent the architecture function.
• Mentor junior engineers and run design reviews or structured mentoring.
• Evaluate new technologies and benchmark industry guidelines for actionable insights.
• Lead high-impact architecture decisions that others implement.

Skills

Systems development

Distributed computing

Threat modeling

Architecture decisions

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering

Job description

Designs a complete and complex framework, system or product. Defines processes for technical platforms, system specifications, input/output and working parameters for hardware and/or software compatibility. Conceives system interfaces and business application prototypes. Identifies, analyzes and resolves system design weaknesses. Influences the shaping of future products by contributing to the framework (architecture) used across multiple products or systems. Provides multi-layered technical expertise for next generation initiatives.

About the Role

Join Adobe as a Systems Design/Architecture Engineer and play a pivotal role in building the future of our technology stack! This is an outstanding opportunity to work with world-class talent and technologies to develop exceptional products.

What You'll Do

• Develop robust technical artifacts such as automation tools, secure-by-default templates, and reference architectures that enable flawless and secure engineering processes.
• Drive strategic decisions by aligning company strategy with analytical insights to meet ambitious growth goals.
• Build comprehensive system architectures covering identity and access management, network segmentation, application security, and data protection.
• Establish and enforce architectural standards across product teams.
• Collaborate with business units to represent the architecture function.
• Mentor junior engineers, encouraging a culture of excellence through design reviews, office hours, or structured mentoring programs.
• Evaluate new technologies and determine their relevance to our stack, recommending strategic investments.
• Conduct ongoing research to benchmark and incorporate industry guidelines, providing actionable insights.

What You'll Bring

• 15+ years in systems development, architecture engineering, or a related field, with at least 10 years in distributed computing environments.
• Demonstrated proficiency in at least three core domains: identity and access management, applied cryptography, network security, cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP), application security, or secure SDLC.
• Practical experience with threat modeling methods.
• A track record of crafting impactful architecture decisions that others have successfully implemented.
• Strong communication skills, capable of explaining complex concepts to both technical and non-technical collaborators.
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in computer science, engineering, or a related area.

Nice to Have

• Experience operating as a senior or staff-level engineer.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, OSCP, or cloud security certifications.
• Experience presenting security posture to enterprise customers or regulators.
• Experience working within a matrixed organization.
• A public history of contributions via presentations, publications, open-source projects, or patents.

How We'll Know You're Succeeding

• Within your first year, your architecture decisions will become the standard for other teams.
• Your threat models will lead to actionable fixes that improve security.
• Engineering leads will seek your input early in the build phase.
• Your contributions will bring about clear progress in risk metrics, reflecting your influence within the organization.

About Adobe

Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe's industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.

Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.

Company Culture

At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.

Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email [e-mail] or call [phone].

AI Use Guidelines for Interviews

Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.

At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.

Expected Pay Range

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $148,500 -- $293,000 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.

In California, the pay range for this position is $202,400 - $293,000. In Washington, the pay range for this position is $177,100 - $256,450.

At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).

In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.

State-Specific Notices

California

Fair Chance Ordinances

Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.

Colorado

Application Window Notice

If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Legal Notice

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.