What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Cloud Security Architect position at Northwest Partners?
Northwest Partners is engaged in a strategic initiative with a well-established real estate organization and seeks an experienced cloud security architect to lead the secure cloud computing strategy. This position will define architectural patterns and security standards while aligning with industry best practices for deployment in cloud environments.
What YOU will do
• lead the cloud security architecture strategy, including standards, guidelines, procedures, and infrastructure requirements
• collaborate across infrastructure and development teams to implement secure cloud platforms and application designs
• conduct security assessments, identify architectural gaps, and drive improvements
• manage vendor evaluations and proof-of-concepts for security tools and services
• define enterprise security requirements and influence security tool selection
• develop solutions aligned with industry frameworks (e.g., NIST 800-53, ISO 27002)
• act as a security SME within architectural committees to guide secure technology adoption
• mentor architecture teams on cloud security and best practices
• oversee the threat management program, including modeling, hunting, and SOC integration
• support security incident investigations and ensure post-incident remediations
• maintain secure software development lifecycle processes
• lead data protection efforts including discovery, mapping, and data loss prevention
• assess emerging threats and develop detection engineering strategies
• mentor junior staff in cybersecurity and architecture
What YOU will bring us
• bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field
• 15 years in information security and risk management, including 5 years in security architecture and cloud environments
• extensive knowledge of cloud security concepts and architectures, including IAM, CI/CD, data protection, detection, and container security
• experience managing cloud projects and implementing leading cloud security frameworks (e.g., CIS Benchmarks, Cloud Security Alliance, NIST SP 800-series)
• ability to guide compliance with regulations (e.g., PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, PHI)
• hands-on experience in architecting secure cloud solutions across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
• proven ability to lead large-scale security programs (e.g., SOC, SSDLC, DLP)
• expertise in automation, APIs, and risk assessment methodologies
• past involvement in incident response, malware analysis, and forensic investigations
• strong communication and leadership skills to influence executive and technical audiences
• preferred certifications: CISSP, CISM, GIAC, CEH, GCIH, GCFE, GXPN, CISSP-ISSAP, SABSA
Declaimer: All candidates will be asked to briefly show a government-issued ID on video during the first interview. This step protects the integrity of the hiring process given the rise in applicant impersonation and employment fraud.
Benefits Include:
Health Insurance, Vision Insurance, Dental Insurance, Short term Disability, Long-term Disability, Life Insurance, Education Benefits and more.
About Northwest Partners
Northwest Partners is an equal opportunity employer. At Northwest Partners we are dedicated to moving at the speed of innovation. We work with clients across the globe to provide exceptional knowledge, talent, and resources. As a trusted partner, we merge the client's vision with our expertise to deliver powerful results. Northwest Partners is known for building and managing elite teams in technology across diverse industries. Our mission is to empower every talent and every client to achieve more.