Nerc Cip Consulting Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

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West Monroe is seeking a Security Architect to join our Cybersecurity & Enterprise Technology practice, with a primary focus on Energy & Utilities. This role sits at the intersection of cybersecurity, IT/OT integration, enterprise modernization, and emerging AI-enabled security capabilities.
You will serve as a trusted advisor to utility clients, leading the design and transformation of secure architectures across operational technology (OT), enterprise IT, and evolving AI-enabled environments. While Energy & Utilities will be your primary focus, you will also have opportunities to support clients across other highly regulated industries, including Financial Services and Healthcare.
What You'll Do
Architect Secure IT/OT & Enterprise Environments

• Design secure, scalable architectures across converged IT and OT environments
• Secure integration of operational systems such as SCADA, EMS, ADMS, DERMS, and other industrial platforms with enterprise IT systems (ERP, CRM, analytics, cloud platforms)
• Develop security reference architectures supporting IT/OT convergence and infrastructure modernization
• Embed Zero Trust principles, segmentation, identity controls, and monitoring into modernized environments

Lead Enterprise Cybersecurity Tooling Strategy

• Evaluate, select, design, and implement enterprise cybersecurity solutions across:
• Identity & Access Management (IAM) and privileged access
• Network security and micro-segmentation
• Endpoint detection & response (EDR/XDR)
• SIEM and SOAR platforms
• OT monitoring platforms (e.g., Dragos and other ICS security solutions)
• Data protection, DLP, and cloud security services
• Develop integrated tooling roadmaps aligned to business risk, regulatory requirements, and operational resilience
• Integrate OT and enterprise telemetry into unified SOC and monitoring environments

Transform Cybersecurity Operations

• Assess and modernize IT and OT security operations capabilities
• Architect and implement SIEM, SOAR, and next-generation detection & response solutions
• Design SOC operating models that support hybrid IT/OT ecosystems
• Leverage automation, orchestration, and advanced analytics to enhance detection and response outcomes

Design & Secure AI-Enabled Environments

• Evaluate and design AI-enabled solutions that enhance cybersecurity operations, including:
• AI-assisted threat detection and anomaly analysis
• Automated investigation and response workflows
• Predictive risk modeling and analytics
• Architect secure AI infrastructure that supports lines of business, ensuring:
• Secure model deployment environments
• Data protection and access controls for training and inference pipelines
• Monitoring and logging for AI systems
• Alignment to responsible AI and regulatory considerations
• Advise clients on risk management strategies for AI systems, including model integrity, data security, and operational resilience

Strengthen Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Lead security posture and maturity assessments
• Design and implement programs aligned to frameworks such as: NERC CIP, IEC 62443 , NIST CSF / 800-53 , ISO 27001
• Align AI, IT, and OT security controls with regulatory and compliance requirements
• Support audit readiness and control validation initiatives

Drive Client & Practice Impact

• Facilitate architecture workshops, security assessments, and executive strategy discussions
• Act as a trusted advisor to CIOs, CISOs, and operational leadership
• Support proposal development, solution design, and client presentations
• Contribute to development of IT/OT and AI security reference architectures and thought leadership

What You Bring

• 7-10+ years of experience in security architecture, enterprise cybersecurity engineering, or IT/OT architecture
• Experience working within or consulting to Energy & Utilities (electric, gas, or water) or other highly regulated industries
• Strong understanding of IT/OT convergence and industrial control systems (ICS) security
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and evaluating enterprise cybersecurity tooling, including:
  • IAM and identity governance
  • Network security architecture and segmentation
  • Endpoint detection technologies
  • SIEM/SOAR and SOC tooling
  • OT monitoring platforms (e.g., Dragos or similar)
  • Cloud-native security solutions
• Experience modernizing and integrating security operations across hybrid environments
• Familiarity with AI-enabled security technologies and securing AI/ML infrastructure
• Experience with governance, risk, and compliance frameworks such as NERC CIP, IEC 62443, NIST, or ISO standards
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to translate business and operational objectives into secure, scalable architectural solutions
• Willingness to travel for client engagements

Preferred / Plus Qualifications

• Prior consulting experience in a client-facing advisory role
• Experience leading IT/OT transformation programs
• Familiarity with emerging AI governance and model risk management frameworks
• Relevant certifications (CISSP, CISM, CCSP, cloud security certifications)
• Experience with platforms such as Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, Google SecOps, Palo Alto, ServiceNow SecOps, SailPoint, Okta, CrowdStrike, or similar enterprise tools

Based on pay transparency guidelines, the salary range for this role can vary based on your proximity to one of our West Monroe offices (see table below). Information on our competitive total rewards package, including our bonus structure and benefits is here. Individual salaries are determined by evaluating a variety of factors including geography, experience, skills, education, and internal equity.
Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company's 401k plan, purchase shares from our employee stock ownership program and be eligible to receive annual bonuses. Employees will also receive unlimited flexible time off and ten paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Eligibility for ten weeks of paid parental leave will also be available upon hire date.
Seattle or Washington, D.C.
$159,800-$188,000 USD
Los Angeles
$167,400-$196,900 USD
New York City or San Francisco
$175,000-$205,900 USD
A location not listed above
$152,200-$179,000 USD
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At West Monroe, we work with you.
We're a global business and technology consulting firm passionate about creating measurable value for our clients, delivering real-world solutions.
The combination of business and technology is not new, but how we bring them together is unique. We're fluent in both. We know that technology alone is not the answer, but how we apply it is. We rely on data to constantly adapt and solve new challenges. Actions that work today with outcomes that generate value for years to come.
At West Monroe, we zero in on the heart of the opportunity, getting to results faster and preparing people for what's next.
You'll feel the difference in how we work. We show up personally. We're right there in the room with you, co-creating through the challenges. With West Monroe, collaboration isn't a lofty promise, but a daily action. We work together with you to turn vision into clear action with lasting impact.
West Monroeis an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
We believe in treating each employee and applicant for employment fairly and with dignity. We base our employment decisions on merit, experience, and potential, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. To learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at West Monroe, visit www.westmonroe.com/inclusion. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in our recruiting process, please inquire by sending an email to recruiting@westmonroe.com.
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