Principal Architect - Application Cybersecurity (Remote)

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Description

Connecting People. Uniting the World. There’s never been a more exciting time to join United Airlines! As a global company that operates in hundreds of locations around the world — with millions of customers and tens of thousands of employees — we have a unique responsibility to uplift and provide opportunities in the places where we work, live and fly.

We’re on a path to becoming the best airline in aviation history. Join our Cybersecurity and Digital Risk (CDR) team to help lead the industry in cyber safety, security and resilience. United's CDR team plays a critical role in protecting our operations by enabling secure and resilient systems, managing threats and vulnerabilities, and ensuring swift response and recovery. Our mission is to seamlessly embed cybersecurity and digital risk management into every aspect of our business. We help drive progress and growth through trusted digital solutions, safeguarding assets and empowering our team, all while promoting a cyber-safe and secure environment that supports resilient airline operations.

United offers a competitive benefits package aimed at keeping you happy, healthy, and well-traveled. From employee-run "Business Resource Group" communities to world-class benefits like parental leave, 401(k), and privileges like space-available travel, United is truly a one-of-a-kind place to work. Are you ready to travel the world and help us keep our airline cyber safe? Apply today!

Job overview and responsibilities

The Principal Architect - Application Cybersecurity validates that our services, applications, and websites are designed and implemented in accordance with United’s secure development standards. The Principal Architect is a senior level position that works closely with security engineers, development teams, product teams, and other teams across the organization to design and develop security solutions/applications, improve operation efficiency, and enhance application security.

The Principal Architect is a recognized subject matter expert in defining security requirements, performing application security assessments, developing solutions to improve efficiency by automating the assessment effort, and providing developers with remediation guidance and advice. On any given day, the Principal Application Security Architect can be pulled in to evaluate a new system, review a proposed application change, or provide guidance on application security/coding best practices.

• Leads architecture design and development of United compliance automation system that eliminates manual effort for security assessment and compliance measurements
• Analyze security requirements and controls, develop automated solutions to facilitate security review, compliance validation, and security operations
• Recommends and implements products/services that support operational needs and security requirements
• Technical point of contact for product teams as it relates to automation, CI/CD, and remediation guidance
• Assist in the design, development, and implementation of security tools, best practices and standards and ensure product development teams understand them
• Promotes and contributes to the continuous improvement of security strategy and supports risk prioritization
• Helps train and support team members
• Leads the improvement of the accessibility of security through automation, continuous integration pipelines, and other means
• Educate and mentor junior team members
• Ensures program(s) is meeting intended purpose and metrics

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree in STEM, Computer Science, or relevant field
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in related field, with a preference for significant career focus in both application security and software design and development (Python and/or Java preferred)
• Expert knowledge of application security and OWASP Top 10
• Proficiency in areas like threat modeling, vulnerability testing, risk management methodologies and processes
• Proficiency with security automation tooling and methods (i.e., TerraForm, Ansible, containerization, SBOM)
• Proficiency with application testing (i.e., SAST, DAST, MAST, Pen Test tooling)
• Proficiency with scripting (i.e., PowerShell, Python, Perl, Bash)
• Proficiency with DevSecOps and CI/CD technology stacks (i.e., IaC, AWS, Harness, TeamCity, GitHub, Artifactory, CHEF, CloudWatch)
• Proficiency with web and app security stack (e.g., API security)
• Proficiency with vulnerability management processes and providing remediation guidance
• Proficiency in the understanding of compliance frameworks (i.e., NIST 800-53, ISO 27001, or OWASP frameworks) and processes
• Proficient in risk management methodologies
• Proficient in cloud technologies (AWS preferred)
• Ability to work independently and self-motivate
• Excellent problem solving, critical thinking, interpersonal, collaboration, written and verbal communication skills
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's degree
• Proficiency with programming languages (i.e., Python, Java, .Net) and modern programming language structure (e.g., Object Oriented Programming, web framework)
• Proficiency in cryptography
• Proficient knowledge of IAM (i.e., authentication and authorization)
• Proficient understanding of networks and network security (i.e., WAF, Micro-segmentation)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), or equivalent
• Certifications like CEH, GSEC, CISM, Security , CSSLP, CISA, SSCP, CASP , or OSCP
• Minimum of 12 years of combined experience in application development and cybersecurity
• Proficiency with application penetration testing to demonstrate and test exploitability of vulnerabilities
• Proficiency in waterfall and agile development processes and ability to integrate secure development practices into both models
• Success in implementing effective Secure SDLC frameworks across a large corporation
• Proficient knowledge of AWS cloud security infrastructure technologies (i.e., serverless computation, containerization, service mesh, micro-services)
• Proficient in LLM/GenAI technologies
• Proficient in mobile development technologies

Post expiration date: 2/28/2026

The base pay range for this role is $137,275.00 to $178,670.00.
The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status and other protected status as required by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions. Please contact JobAccommodations@united.com to request accommodation.