Lead Security Architect

A premier global manufacturing company is seeking a Lead Security Architect to define and execute the security strategy for its next-generation Cloud Data & AI Platform. This leadership role will be responsible for securing enterprise-scale analytics, data, and AI environments on Microsoft Azure, safeguarding highly sensitive and regulated data, including ITAR-controlled information.

The ideal candidate combines strategic vision with hands-on technical expertise, driving a security-by-design approach across cloud infrastructure, data platforms, AI/ML services, and DevSecOps practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the security architecture, roadmap, and governance for cloud-based Data & AI platforms.
• Design and implement Zero Trust security controls across identity, network, data, and application layers.
• Establish enterprise IAM standards, including Azure AD/Entra ID, MFA, SSO, RBAC, privileged access, and secrets management.
• Lead data protection strategies covering encryption, key management, DLP, data classification, masking, and privacy controls.
• Architect secure cloud networking, segmentation, private connectivity, and hybrid integrations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and security frameworks including ITAR, CMMC, NIST 800-171, ISO 27001, and SOC controls.
• Implement continuous monitoring, audit logging, SIEM integration, threat detection, and incident response capabilities.
• Define security and governance frameworks for AI/ML solutions, Responsible AI, and secure model deployment.
• Partner closely with cybersecurity, engineering, data, and executive leadership teams to embed security throughout the platform lifecycle.
• Drive DevSecOps, infrastructure-as-code, and automated security controls across cloud environments.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of cybersecurity and/or cloud architecture experience, including 5+ years leading security initiatives for cloud data, analytics, or AI platforms.
• Deep expertise in Azure cloud security, enterprise IAM, network security, encryption, data protection, governance, and compliance.
• Experience securing large-scale data platforms, data lakes, analytics environments, and AI/ML workloads.
• Strong knowledge of ITAR, CMMC, NIST, ISO 27001, and other regulated data security requirements.
• Hands-on experience with cloud-native security services, SIEM platforms, Terraform, Azure Policy, and CI/CD security controls.
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCSP, Azure Security Engineer, or equivalent preferred.

Ideal Profile

A forward-thinking security leader with a proven track record of securing enterprise cloud and AI platforms, influencing executive stakeholders, and balancing innovation with robust security, compliance, and risk management. This role offers the opportunity to shape the security foundation of a strategic global Data & AI transformation initiative.