Lead Information Security Engineer (Remote)

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Fully remote work arrangement

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Professional development and training

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a seasoned Lead Information Security Engineer to guide the security posture of a rapidly growing FinTech. This remote-first role leads a team, architects scalable controls, and shapes security strategy across cloud and on‑prem environments.

You will drive incident response, risk assessments, and security testing, mentor engineers, and collaborate with development and operations to embed secure SDLC practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in information security engineering with at least 2 years in lead/senior roles.
• Proven experience architecting and managing complex security infrastructures.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, and maintenance of advanced security systems (firewalls, SIEM, IDS/IPS, endpoint protection).
• Develop and enforce security policies, standards, and procedures across the organization.
• Oversee security incident response activities including investigation, containment and remediation.
• Conduct regular risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and penetration tests.
• Mentor and guide a team of security engineers, fostering professional development.
• Collaborate with development and operations to integrate security into SDLC and infrastructure.

Skills

Security leadership

Security architecture

Network security

Cloud security

Incident response

Vulnerability management

Penetration testing

Automation scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/InfoSec

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SIEM platforms

Firewalls

Endpoint protection

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing FinTech company, is actively seeking a highly experienced Lead Information Security Engineer for a fully remote position. This role is critical in guiding the development and implementation of our client's security infrastructure, ensuring the protection of sensitive financial data and customer information. You will lead a team of security engineers, mentor junior staff, and architect scalable security solutions that address complex challenges. The ideal candidate possesses a deep technical understanding of cybersecurity principles, a strategic mindset, and proven leadership capabilities. This remote‑first role offers the opportunity to shape security initiatives from the ground up, working with a talented and globally distributed team. We are committed to fostering a secure and innovative environment, and this position is key to achieving that goal.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of advanced security systems, including firewalls, SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint protection.
• Develop and enforce security policies, standards, and procedures across the organization.
• Oversee security incident response activities, including investigation, containment, and remediation.
• Conduct regular risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and penetration tests.
• Mentor and guide a team of security engineers, fostering their professional development.
• Collaborate with development and operations teams to integrate security best practices into the SDLC and infrastructure.
• Evaluate and recommend new security technologies and solutions to enhance the security posture.
• Represent the security team in cross‑functional projects and provide expert guidance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in information security engineering, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven experience in architecting and managing complex security infrastructures.
• Strong knowledge of network security, cloud security (AWS, Azure), cryptography, and security operations.
• Expertise in security incident response, vulnerability management, and penetration testing methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with scripting and automation for security tasks is a plus.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or GIAC are highly desirable.

Benefits

• Exceptional salary and performance bonus.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexibility.
• Significant investment in professional development, training, and certifications.
• Opportunity to lead impactful security initiatives in a fast-paced environment.