Lead Security Architect
Summary
Senior EL2-equivalent contract role for a Lead Security Architect supporting a major Australian Government organisation in Canberra, embedding security by design across cloud, infrastructure, application, data and identity domains. Work aligns to ISM, PSPF and Zero Trust practices in a hybrid arrangement with regular on-site attendance.
Pryan is seeking an experienced Lead Security Architect to support a major Australian Government organisation in strengthening its enterprise cyber security posture and embedding security architecture into technology investment and digital transformation initiatives.
This is a senior, EL2-equivalent contract opportunity suited to an experienced Security Architect who can operate strategically across complex enterprise environments while remaining closely engaged with solution delivery teams.
The successful candidate will provide security architecture leadership across cloud, infrastructure, applications, data, identity and integration domains, ensuring security is embedded by design rather than applied as a compliance activity after solutions have been developed.
The Role
Working closely with Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, cyber security specialists, project teams and senior stakeholders, you will help establish secure target-state architectures, security standards, architectural patterns and roadmaps that support resilient and trusted digital services.
Key responsibilities will include:
Leading the design and assurance of secure technology solutions across complex ICT projects and transformation initiatives.
Providing enterprise-level security architecture advice across cloud, infrastructure, applications, data, identity and integration domains.
Identifying, assessing and mitigating security risks throughout the technology and solution lifecycle.
Developing security patterns, standards, reference architectures and design guidance to support consistent secure delivery.
Conducting security architecture reviews, risk assessments and design assurance activities.
Working with architecture, cyber security and delivery teams to embed security requirements from the outset.
Contributing to cyber security strategy, security uplift programs and the continuous improvement of enterprise security architecture capability.
Providing advice aligned with Australian Government security requirements including the ISM, PSPF and contemporary security practices such as Zero Trust Architecture.
Supporting the implementation of security controls that improve enterprise cyber security posture and maturity.
About You
You will be an experienced senior Security Architect with demonstrated success designing and assuring secure ICT solutions across complex enterprise environments.
Ideally, you will bring:
Strong enterprise security architecture experience across multiple technology domains.
Demonstrated knowledge of cyber security principles, security risk management and secure-by-design practices.
Strong experience in identity and access management and cloud security.
Experience operating across hybrid and multi-cloud technology environments.
Experience developing security architectures, standards, reference architectures, roadmaps and security strategies.
Strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to provide trusted security advice to senior technical and business stakeholders.
Experience improving cyber security posture within Australian Government or similarly regulated environments.
Knowledge of the Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM), Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), Essential Eight and IRAP.
Practical knowledge of Zero Trust Architecture and contemporary enterprise security practices.
Experience with enterprise architecture concepts and frameworks such as TOGAF.
Relevant certifications such as SABSA, CISSP, CCSP, Azure Security Engineer, AWS Security Specialty, TOGAF or equivalent will be highly regarded.
Contract Details
Location: Canberra / ACT surrounds
Working arrangement: Hybrid
On-site requirement: Regular attendance in Canberra, ACT
Remote working: Up to two days per week may be available, subject to operational requirements and client policy
Hours: Up to 40 hours per week
Expected commencement: 1 October 2026
Initial term: Through to 30 June 2027
Extension: Potential extension options
Security clearance: Must be able to obtain a Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) security clearance
Applicants must be based in Canberra or the surrounding region and able to meet the client's regular on-site attendance requirements.
Why Apply?
This is an opportunity to operate at the strategic end of cyber security architecture within a significant Australian Government technology environment.
You will have the opportunity to influence enterprise security architecture, contribute to cyber security strategy and uplift initiatives, establish reusable security patterns and standards, and help ensure security is embedded into major technology decisions from the beginning.
Apply
Please submit your current résumé outlining your relevant security architecture experience.
Your application should clearly highlight experience in:
Enterprise security architecture
Australian Government security frameworks
Cloud and hybrid security
Zero Trust Architecture
Security design and assurance
Security risk management
Architecture standards and roadmaps
Senior stakeholder engagement
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Pryan to discuss the opportunity, availability, security clearance status and contract arrangements.
What they ask for
Required
- Able to obtain a Negative Vetting Level 1 (NV1) security clearance
- Based in Canberra or surrounding region and able to meet regular on-site attendance requirements
Preferred
- Strong enterprise security architecture experience across multiple technology domains
- Demonstrated knowledge of cyber security principles, security risk management and secure-by-design practices
- Strong experience in identity and access management and cloud security
- Experience operating across hybrid and multi-cloud technology environments
- Experience developing security architectures, standards, reference architectures, roadmaps and security strategies
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills with ability to advise senior technical and business stakeholders
- Experience improving cyber security posture within Australian Government or similarly regulated environments
- Knowledge of the Australian Government ISM, PSPF, Essential Eight and IRAP
- Practical knowledge of Zero Trust Architecture and contemporary enterprise security practices
- Experience with enterprise architecture concepts and frameworks such as TOGAF
- Relevant certifications such as SABSA, CISSP, CCSP, Azure Security Engineer, AWS Security Specialty or TOGAF