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Chief Security Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Comtech, LLC

Security Architect

Greenbelt, MD · On-site

$65.50 - $84.75/hr

The Security Architect supports the Chief Program Architect and program security engineers to create an integrated security architecture to assure compliance with all applicable standards. Works ...

Sonoma Consulting Inc.

Security Architect

Plano, TX · On-site

$62.25 - $80.50/hr

... President and CEO. Sonoma Consulting has two business divisions - IT Consulting Services ... The Security Architect is measured on their ability to efficiently analyze system architectures to ...

Arctiq, Inc.

Security Architect/vCISO

Duluth, GA · On-site

$59.75 - $77.25/hr

The Security Architect / vCISO is a client-facing, dual-capacity role that combines deep technical ... In the vCISO capacity, this individual serves as an outsourced Chief Information Security Officer ...

Arctiq, Inc.

Security Architect/vCISO

Duluth, GA · Remote

$59.75 - $77.25/hr

The Security Architect / vCISO is a client-facing, dual-capacity role that combines deep technical ... In the vCISO capacity, this individual serves as an outsourced Chief Information Security Officer ...

Arctiq

Security Architect/vCISO

Duluth, GA · On-site

$59.75 - $77.25/hr

The Security Architect / vCISO is a client-facing, dual-capacity role that combines deep technical ... In the vCISO capacity, this individual serves as an outsourced Chief Information Security Officer ...

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All JobsChief Security Architect Jobs

Chief Security Architect information

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$104.5K

$177.6K

$253K

How much do chief security architect jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief security architect in the United States is $177,571.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $150,000.00 and $195,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a chief security architect when implementing security frameworks across large organizations?

A Chief Security Architect often encounters challenges such as balancing business objectives with security requirements, integrating new security frameworks with legacy systems, and ensuring consistent implementation across diverse departments. Managing stakeholder expectations and fostering collaboration between IT, compliance, and executive teams are also key hurdles. Staying ahead of emerging threats while scaling security solutions to fit organizational growth requires both technical expertise and strong leadership skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief security architect?

To thrive as a Chief Security Architect, you need deep expertise in cybersecurity principles, architecture frameworks, and risk management, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with security tools like SIEM, IAM systems, cloud security platforms, and certifications such as CISSP or SABSA is essential. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills help in guiding teams and influencing stakeholders. These skills ensure robust enterprise security, effective risk mitigation, and alignment of security initiatives with business goals.

What does a chief security architect do?

A Chief Security Architect is responsible for designing and overseeing the overall security framework of an organization’s IT infrastructure. They analyze potential security threats, develop security policies, and ensure that all systems and networks are protected against cyberattacks. This role involves collaborating with other IT and business leaders to integrate security measures throughout the organization, as well as staying current with emerging security technologies and compliance requirements. Ultimately, the Chief Security Architect helps protect sensitive data and maintains the organization's cybersecurity posture.

What is the difference between Chief Security Architect vs Security Engineer?

AspectChief Security ArchitectSecurity Engineer
CredentialsCertifications like CISSP, CISA, CISMCertifications like CompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP (optional)
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, security architecture design, executive collaborationImplementation, monitoring, and technical security measures
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large organizations, corporations, government agenciesUsed across various organizations, including tech firms, finance, and healthcare
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding high-level security roles, architecture responsibilitiesTechnical security implementation, hands-on security tasks

The Chief Security Architect focuses on designing and overseeing security architecture at a strategic level, working closely with executives. In contrast, a Security Engineer handles the technical implementation and maintenance of security systems. Both roles require relevant certifications and are vital in protecting organizational assets, but they differ in scope and daily responsibilities.

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Chief Security Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Security Architect job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $177,571 per year, or $85.4 per hour.

Cleared On Site Chief Security Architect for Governance, Risk and Compliance (5030)

SMX

Washington, DC • Hybrid

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Law Enforcement Agency OCIO's organization is moving to Information Systems Security as a Service and requires a Chief Security Architect to serve as the program's principal technical authority, providing strategic risk advisory to OCIO leadership, Authorizing Officials, and ISSO(E)(M)s while overseeing the security posture of 600+ information systems across all classification levels. This position will be on site in Washington, DC and requires a Top-Secret Clearance.

The Chief Security Architect serves as the program's principal technical authority, providing strategic risk advisory to OCIO leadership, Authorizing Officials, and ISSO(E)(M)s while overseeing the security posture of 600+ information systems across all classification levels.
 
This role translates the Customer's security vision into actionable technical guidance, validates the system categorization methodology, reviews high-risk change requests, and enables innovation through evaluation of emerging technologies (AI/ML, zero trust, cloud-native security) within the Customer's governance constraints. The Chief Security Architect leads early lifecycle security advisory to embed security in system design rather than retrofit, resolves complex technical disputes between implementation and assessment teams, and drives enterprise-wide security architecture patterns that enable consistent, defensible authorization decisions. This strategic position elevates ISaaS from tactical compliance execution to mission-enabling security partnership, ensuring the Customer maintains robust cybersecurity posture while adopting cutting-edge capabilities to counter evolving threats. The role requires balancing deep technical expertise with executive communication skills, translating complex security risks into business impacts and strategic recommendations for senior Customer leadership.
 
  • Bachelors Degree
  • 10+ years of experience
  • Deep expertise with NIST implementation at scale, 800-53 controls and assessment procedures
  • FISMA and Intelligence Community security frameworks
  • Proven ability to design security architectures for diverse environments (on-prem, cloud, hybrid, air-gapped)
  • Cloud security architecture
  • AWS/Azure security services, configurations, best practices
  • FedRAMP authorization process and cloud control inheritance 
    Some knowledge of IaC / DevSecOps principles (not sure this is a must)
  • Cloud-native security patterns: ZTA, container security, serverless, etc.,
  • Governance, Risk, and Compliance (must have, top skill, after the architecture/cloud)
    Track record at providing technical risk assessments and recommendations 
    Articulate residual risk in business terms, enabling informed risk acceptance by non-technical executives
  • Experience with conditional ATO strategies and balancing operational urgency with security requirements
  • Experience leading or overseeing independent security assessments for diverse system types 
    Ability to validate assessment quality and consistency across multiple assessor teams
  • Strategic and Leadership Skills (must have)
  • Executive Communication - demonstrated ability to brief C-level executives and senior gov officials on complex security processes 
    Skill in translating technical vulnerabilities into business risk and strategic recommendations
  • Experience in developing security strategies, roadmaps, and business cases for executive approval (at least serve as an advisor for these)
    Proven ability to build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders, system owners, developers, operations trams, auditors
  • One of the following certifications -AWS Cloud Solutions Architect (Professional), CISSP-ISSEP
  • Active TS clearance with SCI Eligibility
 
Preferred Skills:
  • NSS and Intelligence Community Experience (nice to have)
  • IC-specific security requirements (ICD 503 for cloud, ICD 705 for SCI, etc.,)
  • Cross-domain solutions (CDS) and high-side/low-side data transfer security 
  • Audit and Compliance (nice to have, more important that they were independent audits)
  • Experience in supporting FISMA audits, DOJ inspector general reviews, GAO assessments 
  • Understanding of OMB, DOJ, and IC Cybersecurity reporting requirements and metrics 
  • Ability to translate audit findings into actionable remediation paths and process improvements
 
 
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