Principal Security Architect

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Hybrid work arrangement

Learning & certifications

Generous leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Security Architect in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. You will design and evolve the company’s security architecture, influence technology decisions, and guide security best practices across the organization.

The role requires deep expertise in cloud and network security, IAM, and secure SDLC, with leadership responsibilities and collaboration across IT teams in a hybrid work model.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• 10+ years of information security experience with focus on security architecture and design.
• Proven expertise in designing secure cloud solutions (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep understanding of network security, firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and zero-trust.
• Extensive experience with application security, secure coding, and vulnerability management.
• IAM principles and solutions.
• Knowledge of security frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001).
• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking, problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership and ability to influence technical decisions.
• Hybrid work experience in Stellenbosch or similar environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop robust, scalable security architectures.
• Define security requirements and standards for new systems and infrastructure.
• Evaluate security technologies to address threats and business needs.
• Provide architectural guidance and mentorship to security engineers.
• Lead security integration into SDLC and DevOps practices.
• Maintain security architecture documentation, policies and standards.
• Assess security impact of technology changes and initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed security.
• Stay current with cybersecurity trends and threats.
• Contribute to the organization's cybersecurity strategy and roadmap.

Skills

Security architecture

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Master's degree

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in the wine and spirits industry based in the picturesque region of Stellenbosch, Western Cape , is seeking a highly experienced Principal Security Architect. This is a key strategic role responsible for designing, building, and evolving the company's overall security architecture. You will define security standards, influence technology decisions, and provide expert guidance on security best practices across the organization. The ideal candidate possesses a deep technical understanding of various security domains, including network security, application security, cloud security, and data protection. This role offers a hybrid working model, combining the benefits of collaborative in-office work at our Stellenbosch headquarters with the flexibility of remote work. You will be instrumental in ensuring our client's systems and data are protected against current and future threats, playing a vital role in the company's digital transformation journey in the heart of the winelands.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop robust, scalable, and secure enterprise-level security architectures.
• Define security requirements and standards for new systems, applications, and infrastructure.
• Evaluate and recommend security technologies and solutions to address emerging threats and business needs.
• Provide expert architectural guidance and mentorship to security engineers and IT teams.
• Lead the integration of security into the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and DevOps practices.
• Develop and maintain security architecture documentation, including diagrams, policies, and standards.
• Assess the security impact of proposed technology changes and business initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure security is embedded in all aspects of the IT environment.
• Stay current with industry trends, threats, and technologies in cybersecurity architecture.
• Contribute to the development of the overall cybersecurity strategy and roadmap for the organization in Western Cape .

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in information security, with a strong focus on security architecture and design.
• Proven expertise in designing secure solutions for cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep understanding of network security, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs, and zero-trust architectures.
• Extensive experience with application security, secure coding practices, and vulnerability management.
• Knowledge of identity and access management (IAM) principles and solutions.
• Familiarity with relevant security frameworks and compliance standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001).
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership qualities and the ability to influence technical decisions across the organization.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts.
• Experience working in a hybrid environment and collaborating with diverse teams in Stellenbosch .

Benefits

• Attractive salary package with performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, training, and professional certifications.
• Generous annual leave and company-specific benefits.
• Access to cutting-edge technologies and challenging projects.
• Supportive and collaborative work culture in a beautiful setting.
• Pension fund contribution.
• Company discounts on wine and related products.
• Exciting career growth prospects within the organization based in Western Cape .