Remote Principal Cloud Security Engineer

Placements24; Richards Bay; Remote; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Executive-level benefits package

Home office setup allowance

Generous paid time off and companyhols

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Cloud Security Engineer for a fully remote role. You will design, implement and manage advanced security architectures across AWS, Azure, and GCP, while developing policies and guiding incident response for a diverse international clientele.

The ideal candidate brings 8+ years in cybersecurity with a focus on cloud security, strong scripting ability, and cloud certifications. This position offers remote flexibility and a competitive package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in CS/IT; Master’s preferred.
• 8+ years in cybersecurity with strong cloud security engineering focus.
• Deep expertise across AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Proficient with IAM, encryption, network security, and compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, SOC 2).
• Experience with Terraform or CloudFormation and CI/CD security integration.
• Scripting with Python or Bash.
• Strong incident response and analytical skills.
• Excellent remote collaboration and communication.
• Relevant cloud security certifications such as CISSP or CCSP.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain cloud security architectures across AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Develop and enforce cloud security policies and procedures.
• Conduct assessments, vulnerability testing, and pen-testing of cloud environments.
• Implement security tools for threat detection, monitoring, and logging.
• Automate security tasks using scripting and IaC.
• Collaborate with DevOps to embed security in the SDLC.
• Lead incident response for cloud security breaches.
• Stay updated on threats and mitigation strategies.
• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge.
• Provide expert cloud security guidance to internal teams and clients.

Skills

Cloud security engineering

AWS/Azure/GCP

Security tooling

IAM & encryption

CI/CD security

Python/Bash scripting

Security certifications (CISSP/CCSP)

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

SIEM

WAFs/IDS/IPS

Firewalls

Endpoint security

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in cloud security solutions, is actively recruiting a Principal Cloud Security Engineer for a fully remote position. This is a unique opportunity to leverage your deep expertise in cloud security to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data for a diverse international client base. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing advanced security architectures, developing security policies, and responding to security incidents across various cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP). As a remote-first company, we value autonomy, collaboration, and a proactive approach to security. The ideal candidate is a seasoned security professional passionate about staying ahead of evolving threats and contributing to a secure digital future, all from the convenience of their home office. This role offers the chance to make a significant impact from anywhere in **South Africa**.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain robust cloud security architectures and controls across AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Develop and enforce cloud security policies, standards, and procedures.
• Conduct security assessments, vulnerability testing, and penetration testing of cloud environments.
• Implement and manage security tools for threat detection, monitoring, logging, and incident response.
• Automate security tasks and processes using scripting and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools.
• Collaborate with DevOps and engineering teams to embed security best practices throughout the SDLC.
• Lead incident response efforts for cloud security breaches and provide post-incident analysis.
• Stay current with the latest cloud security threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies.
• Mentor junior security engineers and contribute to the team's knowledge base.
• Provide expert guidance on cloud security best practices to internal teams and clients.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in cybersecurity, with a strong focus (5+ years) on cloud security engineering.
• Deep expertise in securing cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Proficiency in security technologies including firewalls, IDS/IPS, WAFs, SIEM, and endpoint security solutions.
• Strong understanding of security concepts such as IAM, encryption, network security, and compliance frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2).
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation) and CI/CD security integration.
• Proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and incident response skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team.
• Relevant security certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, or cloud provider security certifications are highly desirable.
• Experience in the **Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal** region is not required due to the remote nature of the role.

Benefits

• Fully remote work arrangement offering ultimate flexibility and work-life balance.
• Highly competitive salary and executive-level benefits package.
• Opportunities for advanced professional development, training, and certifications.
• Access to cutting-edge cloud security tools and technologies.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking remote team culture.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Home office setup allowance.
• Regular virtual team-building activities and professional networking opportunities.