Principal Information Security Architect (Remote)

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 2,953,000 - 5,250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first work

Performance-based bonuses

Equity options

Executive health, dental, and vision

Generous PTO & parental leave

Fully remote with flexible hours

Professional development budget

Security tools & research platforms

Retirement plan with company matching

Home office stipend

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Information Security Architect to lead security architecture across a fully remote global security team. You will design and implement scalable security solutions for multi-cloud environments, influence stakeholders, and shape the enterprise security posture.

You will mentor security engineers, drive threat modeling and risk assessments, and stay ahead of regulatory shifts and cyber threats in a remote-first setting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of progressive information security experience, with 7+ years in architecture design.
• Extensive experience with cloud security architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep expertise across network, application, data security, IAM, cryptography, and threat intelligence.
• Familiar with NIST CSF, ISO 27001, SOC 2 and SSDLC.
• Experience with microservices, containers, and DevSecOps.
• Strong communication and executive influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the enterprise security architecture strategy and roadmap.
• Design and oversee the implementation of security solutions for cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Develop and enforce security standards, patterns, and best practices.
• Lead security architecture reviews for major projects, apps, and infrastructure changes.
• Conduct in-depth threat modeling and risk assessments.
• Evaluate, select, and champion new security technologies.
• Provide expert guidance to security engineering and operations teams.
• Collaborate with business and technology leaders to align security architecture with strategy.
• Stay ahead of cybersecurity trends and regulatory landscapes.
• Author architectural documentation and security design specifications.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Threat modeling

Communication

Mentorship

Education

Master's/PhD in CS or Info Security

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

NIST CSF

ISO 27001

SOC 2

SSDLC

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in cloud-based solutions, is seeking a highly accomplished Principal Information Security Architect to join their fully remote global security team. This is a premier opportunity for a seasoned expert to drive the strategic direction of security architecture across the enterprise. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing cutting-edge security solutions that protect our client's extensive cloud infrastructure and sensitive data. This role demands visionary leadership, deep technical expertise, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. The ideal candidate will possess a profound understanding of complex, large-scale security architectures, a passion for innovation, and a proven track record of successfully mitigating sophisticated cyber threats. As a Principal Architect, you will be instrumental in shaping the future of our client's security posture and ensuring resilience in an ever-evolving threat landscape. We are looking for a strategic thinker who can translate complex requirements into secure, scalable, and resilient architectural designs in a remote-first setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the enterprise security architecture strategy and roadmap.
• Design and oversee the implementation of robust security solutions for cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Develop and enforce security standards, patterns, and best practices across all technology initiatives.
• Lead security architecture reviews for major projects, applications, and infrastructure changes.
• Conduct in-depth threat modeling and risk assessments for new and existing systems.
• Evaluate, select, and champion the adoption of new security technologies and methodologies.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to security engineering and operations teams.
• Collaborate with business and technology leaders to align security architecture with strategic objectives.
• Stay at the forefront of cybersecurity trends, emerging threats, and regulatory landscapes.
• Author comprehensive architectural documentation and security design specifications.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in information security, with a significant focus (7+ years) on security architecture design for complex environments.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing security architectures for large-scale cloud deployments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep expertise in multiple security domains: network security, application security, data security, identity and access management, cryptography, and threat intelligence.
• Proven experience with security frameworks (NIST CSF, ISO 27001, SOC 2), compliance regulations, and secure software development lifecycles (SSDLC).
• Strong understanding of modern infrastructure concepts like microservices, containerization, and DevSecOps.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively at executive levels.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor technical teams in a remote setting.
• Relevant advanced security certifications (e.g., CISSP-ISSAP, CCSP, GCP Professional Cloud Architect with security focus) are highly preferred.

Benefits

• Highly competitive base salary and substantial performance-based bonuses.
• Equity options or stock purchase plans.
• Comprehensive executive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, holidays, and parental leave.
• Fully remote work environment with flexible working hours.
• Significant budget for professional development, conferences, and certifications.
• Access to industry-leading security tools and research platforms.
• Top-tier retirement savings plan with generous company matching.
• Home office setup stipend and ongoing IT support.