Lead Security Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share options

Medical and dental coverage

Pension fund contributions

Travel opportunities

Professional development budgets

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town, Western Cape, is seeking a Lead Security Engineer to spearhead cybersecurity efforts for a fast-growing FinTech. You will design, implement, and manage security infrastructure to protect sensitive financial data and ensure regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in information security, deep expertise across network and cloud security, and strong leadership. You will mentor a team, drive DevSecOps, and help shape the security roadmap in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of progressive information security engineering and architecture experience.
• Proven experience leading security teams and initiatives.
• Deep expertise in network security, cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP), application security, and cryptography.
• Hands-on experience with SIEM, SOAR, EDR, firewalls, and vulnerability management tools.
• Strong threat modeling, penetration testing methodologies, and incident response frameworks.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• CISSP, CCSP, or OSCP certifications are highly preferred.
• Experience in FinTech or financial services is advantageous.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa and willing to relocate to Cape Town.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and deploy robust security solutions across the organization's network, cloud, and application environments.
• Lead the development and implementation of security policies, standards, and procedures.
• Oversee SOC functions, including threat detection, incident response, and forensic analysis.
• Manage and optimize security technologies such as firewalls, WAFs, IDS/IPS, SIEM, and EDR systems.
• Conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments, and oversee remediation efforts.
• Develop and deliver security awareness training to all employees.
• Collaborate with development and operations to embed security in the DevOps pipeline (DevSecOps).
• Mentor and guide junior security engineers and analysts.
• Ensure compliance with POPIA, PCI DSS, and other relevant regulations.
• Evaluate and recommend new security technologies and solutions.

Skills

Security architecture

Network security

Cloud security (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Threat modeling

Incident response

Penetration testing

SOC operations

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Cybersecurity

CISSP

CCSP

OSCP

Tools

SIEM

SOAR

EDR

Firewalls

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing FinTech company in Cape Town, Western Cape, is looking for an exceptional Lead Security Engineer to spearhead their cybersecurity efforts. This senior role involves designing, implementing, and managing the company's security infrastructure to protect sensitive financial data and ensure compliance with industry regulations. You will be responsible for defining the security architecture, leading security initiatives, and mentoring a team of security professionals. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a proven track record in building and maintaining secure systems in a fast-paced environment. This is a critical position that requires hands‑on technical expertise combined with strong leadership qualities to safeguard the company's reputation and assets. Based in vibrant Cape Town, this role offers a unique challenge to shape the future of security for a pioneering organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and deploy robust security solutions across the organization's network, cloud, and application environments.
• Lead the development and implementation of security policies, standards, and procedures.
• Oversee the security operations center (SOC) functions, including threat detection, incident response, and forensic analysis.
• Manage and optimize security technologies such as firewalls, WAFs, IDS/IPS, SIEM, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems.
• Conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments, and oversee remediation efforts.
• Develop and deliver security awareness training to all employees.
• Collaborate with development and operations teams to ensure security is integrated into the DevOps pipeline (DevSecOps).
• Mentor and guide junior security engineers and analysts.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations (e.g., POPIA, PCI DSS).
• Evaluate and recommend new security technologies and solutions to enhance the company's security posture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related technical field.
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in information security engineering and architecture.
• Proven experience leading security teams and initiatives.
• Deep expertise in network security, cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP), application security, and cryptography.
• Hands‑on experience with SIEM, SOAR, EDR, firewalls, and vulnerability management tools.
• Strong understanding of threat modeling, penetration testing methodologies, and incident response frameworks.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, or OSCP are highly preferred.
• Experience in the financial services or FinTech industry is advantageous.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa and based in or willing to relocate to Cape Town.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Generous share options package.
• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage.
• Pension fund contributions.
• Opportunities for international travel and conferences.
• A dynamic and innovative work culture.
• State‑of‑the‑art office facilities in Cape Town.
• Professional development and training budgets.