Lead Security Architect (Remote-First)

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level compensation including

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off and flexible"

Budget for professional development, 2

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Security Architect to define and drive our cybersecurity strategy across cloud and on-prem environments. This fully remote leadership role demands a strategic, technically deep professional who can translate complex security requirements into actionable architectures.

You will mentor engineers, steer security initiatives, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to build resilient, scalable defenses while shaping our security roadmap and governance in a

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
• 10+ years in information security, with at least 5 years in security architecture.
• Proven experience designing security architectures for large-scale, cloud and on-prem environments.
• Expertise across network, application, data security, IAM, cryptography, and threat modeling.
• Familiar with NIST CSF, ISO 27001, SOC 2 and security tooling (SIEM, WAF, IDS/IPS).

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall security architecture strategy and roadmap.
• Design secure enterprise systems, cloud environments, and on-prem solutions.
• Lead evaluation and selection of security technologies and platforms.
• Define security standards, guidelines, and best practices across the org.
• Conduct security architecture reviews for new projects and systems.
• Collaborate with engineering, infrastructure, and product teams to embed security into SDLC (DevSecOps).
• Provide expert consultation on complex security challenges and emerging threats.
• Develop and manage security architecture documentation including diagrams and policies.
• Mentor junior security engineers and architects.
• Stay current with industry trends and evolving security technologies.

Skills

Security architecture

Cloud security

Threat modeling

Security governance

DevSecOps

Education

Master's degree

CISSP-ISSAP

SABSA

Tools

SIEM

IDS/IPS

WAF

Endpoint security

Vulnerability mgmt tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneering technology firm, is seeking an accomplished and visionary Lead Security Architect to spearhead the design and implementation of our cybersecurity strategy. This is a critical, fully remote leadership position, ideal for a seasoned security professional who thrives on building and scaling secure environments from the ground up. You will be instrumental in defining the architectural roadmap for security, ensuring that our systems and data are protected against an ever-evolving threat landscape. As a remote-first member of our team, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams, providing expert guidance and architectural blueprints that underpin our commitment to robust security. This role demands a strategic thinker with a deep technical understanding and the ability to translate complex security requirements into actionable architectural designs. We are committed to fostering a fully remote, high-performance culture that values innovation and collaboration, empowering you to make a significant impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the overall security architecture strategy and roadmap, aligning with business objectives and risk tolerance.
• Design secure enterprise systems, applications, and cloud environments, ensuring robust security controls are embedded from the outset.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of security technologies and platforms, providing technical leadership and architectural oversight.
• Define security standards, guidelines, and best practices for technology development and deployment across the organization.
• Conduct security architecture reviews for new projects and systems, identifying potential risks and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, infrastructure, and product teams to integrate security seamlessly into the development lifecycle (DevSecOps).
• Provide expert consultation and guidance on complex security challenges and emerging threats.
• Develop and manage security architecture documentation, including diagrams, policies, and procedures.
• Mentor and guide junior security engineers and architects, fostering a culture of security excellence.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging threats, and evolving security technologies to ensure our architecture remains effective and resilient.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related technical field; relevant certifications (CISSP-ISSAP, SABSA) are highly valued.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in information security, with at least 5 years in a security architecture role.
• Proven experience designing and implementing security architectures for large-scale, complex environments, including cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) and on-premises infrastructure.
• Deep understanding of various security domains: network security, application security, data security, identity and access management (IAM), cryptography, and threat modeling.
• Expertise in security frameworks and standards (e.g., NIST CSF, ISO 27001, SOC 2).
• Strong technical proficiency in areas such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, WAF, endpoint security, and vulnerability management tools.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and manage projects effectively in a remote setting.
• Experience with DevSecOps principles and practices.

Benefits

• Highly competitive executive-level compensation package including equity options.
• Premium health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Significant budget for professional development, conferences, and certifications.
• Remote work setup allowance and ongoing home office support.
• Opportunities for impactful leadership and strategic influence.
• Access to advanced security tooling and resources.
• A dynamic, growth-oriented, and fully remote company culture.