Cyber Security Architect Lead

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career.

ERCOT is committed to fostering inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future.

Develops and executes architecture strategy and support strategic system development initiatives. Provides design recommendations. Develops enterprise level applications and custom integration solutions including major enhancements, interfaces, functions and features.

Job Duties

• Broadly applies principles, theories and concepts related to the profession. A seasoned, experienced professional with an in-depth/full understanding of area of specialization.
• May provide recommendations regarding issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Wide latitude for decisions within assignments, programs and projects; impact is generally limited to the project or department.
• Acts as a resource to advise and may at times lead the work of lower level professional and/or support employees. Generally, represents the department on projects and may perform in a project leadership role.

Additional Job Duties

As a member of the Cybersecurity Architecture team, designs and oversee the implementation of secure enterprise architectures that protect and elevate ERCOT's security posture from evolving threats. They assess risks, define security requirements, and ensure solutions align with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

• Lead and Mentor to Senior level Architects, escalation & support role
• Develop and maintain ERCOT's Cyber Security Architecture Strategy
• Define SDLC, AI & cloud adoption of security controls for the enterprise
• Develop and maintain security standards, patterns, and reference architectures
• Lead the organization's information security practice as the principal subject matter expert, setting direction and standards for security best practices
• Partner with project management office and stakeholders to secure enterprise-wide or multi-year complex business solutions
• Process supply chain assessments, software requests, service accounts, purchase requisitions, and firewall changes
• Collaborate with business units and cross-functional teams to embed security controls into infrastructure, applications, AI and cloud environments
• Demonstrate expertise in security principles, technologies, and the design of solutions in alignment with security frameworks, best practices, and regulatory requirements
• Ensure secure configuration baselines for on-prem, SaaS and Cloud solutions
• Define secure application architectures (microservices, APIs, web apps)
• Identify design-level gaps or vulnerabilities and define mitigating controls
• Partner and collaborate with project managers and stakeholders to embed least privilege, secure-by-design and zero-trust principles for projects & operations initiatives
• Support AI & cloud adoption of applications as they are transformed and modernized
• Other duties as required

Required Experience

• Requires minimum 8 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements
• Strong knowledge of enterprise security architecture frameworks (SABSA, TOGAF, STRIDE, NIST CSF)
• Experience developing and owning enterprise-wide security strategy
• Advanced cloud security experience across multiple platforms and hybrid environments
• Ability to evaluate and secure emerging technologies and incorporating them into long-term strategy
• Strong understanding of business risk, governance, and regulatory compliance (NERC CIP)
• Experience with vendor management and technology road mapping

CERTIFICATIONS

• CISSP (Required)
• CISM (Preferred)
• GIAC certification, Security+, CEH or similar (Preferred)

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree: Computer Science, MIS or related field (Required)
• Master's Degree: Computer Science, MIS or related field (Preferred)
• or a combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge to a major in such fields is required

Salary and level will be based on overall experience as determined by ERCOT.

WORK LOCATION – Taylor, TX:

• Employees will be required to be on-site in Taylor, TX at minimum 2 days per week, or more, as needed based on the business needs as determined by management
• On-site schedules are flexible or may be rotated based on business needs as determined by the Manager
• Remote work is required to be performed from your Texas residence.
• Employees may opt to work on-site more than required or 100% of the time

The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. ,

ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law.

Expected Salary Range

$145,000 - $200,000