Senior Cloud Security Architect (Remote-First)

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking a Senior Cloud Security Architect to design and secure multi-cloud architectures across AWS, Azure, and GCP in a remote-first setup. You will lead security initiatives, develop IAM, network security, and data protection controls, and drive DevSecOps integration across engineering and operations teams.

The role requires 7+ years in information security with 5+ years in cloud security, a Master’s degree or equivalent experience, and relevant cloud security

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• 7+ years of experience in information security, with at least 5 years focused on cloud security architecture and engineering.
• Proven expertise in designing and securing cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep understanding of cloud networking, IAM, data encryption, and security monitoring tools.
• Experience with DevSecOps principles and tools (e.g., CI/CD pipelines, security scanning tools).
• Proficiency in scripting languages (Python, Bash) and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Relevant cloud security certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Security Specialty, Azure Security Engineer, GCP Professional Cloud Security Engineer).

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain secure cloud architectures and solutions on platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Develop and enforce cloud security policies, standards, and best practices across the organization.
• Lead security assessments and audits of cloud environments, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Architect and implement security controls for data protection, IAM, network security, and threat detection in the cloud.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to ensure security is integrated into the cloud development lifecycle (DevSecOps).
• Develop and maintain incident response plans for cloud-based security events.
• Stay abreast of emerging cloud security threats, vulnerabilities, and technologies, providing strategic guidance.
• Mentor junior security engineers and architects on cloud security best practices.
• Automate security processes and controls using scripting and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools.
• Communicate complex security concepts and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Cloud security

DevSecOps

Python

Bash

Terraform

CloudFormation

IAM

Network security

Security monitoring

Leadership

Communication

Education

Master's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

CI/CD pipelines

Security scanning tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in cloud-native solutions, is actively seeking a highly accomplished Senior Cloud Security Architect to join their cutting-edge technology team. This is a fully remote position, offering the ultimate flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa, with a focus on serving clients in the Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA region and beyond. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing secure cloud infrastructures and architectures across various cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP). This role demands deep expertise in cloud security best practices, a strategic mindset, and the ability to lead complex security initiatives. The ideal candidate will be a visionary architect passionate about building secure, scalable, and resilient cloud environments in a remote-first culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain secure cloud architectures and solutions on platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Develop and enforce cloud security policies, standards, and best practices across the organization.
• Lead security assessments and audits of cloud environments, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Architect and implement security controls for data protection, identity and access management (IAM), network security, and threat detection in the cloud.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to ensure security is integrated into the cloud development lifecycle (DevSecOps).
• Develop and maintain incident response plans for cloud-based security events.
• Stay abreast of emerging cloud security threats, vulnerabilities, and technologies, providing strategic guidance.
• Mentor junior security engineers and architects on cloud security best practices.
• Automate security processes and controls using scripting and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools.
• Communicate complex security concepts and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related technical field, or equivalent extensive experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in information security, with at least 5 years focused on cloud security architecture and engineering.
• Proven expertise in designing and securing cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep understanding of cloud networking, IAM, data encryption, and security monitoring tools.
• Experience with DevSecOps principles and tools (e.g., CI/CD pipelines, security scanning tools).
• Proficiency in scripting languages (Python, Bash) and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Relevant cloud security certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Security Specialty, Azure Security Engineer, GCP Professional Cloud Security Engineer) are essential.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, significant bonus potential, and a comprehensive benefits package tailored for remote employees, including health insurance and retirement contributions.

• We provide generous opportunities for continuous learning, including certifications, training, and conference attendance.
• This role embraces a remote-first culture, allowing you to work effectively from your home office anywhere in South Africa.
• You will have the autonomy to drive critical security initiatives and contribute to a world-class cloud security practice, even while connecting from the Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, ZA area.