Cyber Architect

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Full Time

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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The University of Southern California (USC) is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience, cyber risk management, and threat-informed defense. As a world-class research institution, USC is building a culture of security that supports its academic and research mission in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

This role sits within a newly restructured cybersecurity organization thats leading this transformation. Youll join a team focused on scalable, proactive defense strategies, incident preparedness, and operational excellenceworking alongside experts who are deeply committed to service, innovation, and impact.

If youre driven by purpose, thrive in complexity, and want to help shape the future of cybersecurity at a leading university, we invite you to bring your leadership to the table.

POSITION SUMMARY

As the Cyber Architect you will be an integral member of the cybersecurity department while also collaborating with stakeholders across the university ecosystem, and reporting to the Manager , Cyber Architecture . This is a full-tim e exempt position, eligible for all of USC s fantastic Benefits + Perks . This opportunity is remote.

The Cyber Architect supports the design, development, and implementation of the universitys overall cybersecurity architecture framework. Develops secure enterprise security architectures (e.g., cloud, network, platforms, operation technology) and collaborates to define and design safeguards to protect university data against unauthorized access. Evaluates cybersecurity systems and enables network, cloud, platform, OT and application-level security across the university. Executes assessments (e.g., SARA) at the enterprise or department/school/unit level across the university, including research security. Confirms security architecture and design(s) for university systems, platforms and environments align with industry standards and the universitys security policies.

The Cyber Architect will:

Assists in the design of cybersecurity architecture systems by evaluating application , system , network and security technologies, developing requirements that meet or exceed compliance and best-practice standards. Develops and implements OT security architectures (e.g., network segmentation, asset inventory management support, secure access, intrusion detection systems).

Establishes and maintains security policies, procedures, and guidelines for OT and Internet of Things environments. Identifies necessary security controls and design elements for new technologies , processes and tools introduced to the environment .

Analyzes and documents cybersecurity requirements (technical and functional) for new and existing systems, applications, computer resources and infrastructure. Measures and monitors security architecture, reporting metrics on key components to track effectiveness. Creates architectural blueprints that outline the security measures and controls for OT and IoT environments. Executes assessments at the enterprise or local level across the university, including research and OT/IoT security .

Collaborates with network security teams to seamlessly integrate security solutions into the infrastructure. Actively supports and provides guidance to IT teams that manage systems, applications and infrastructure so that configuration and settings align with the industry -leading practice . Coordinates with university departments, schools and units to implement secure architecture principles and standards.

Maintains and approves security architecture standards as part of cybersecurity policies, procedures and standards. Defines detailed security standards and configuration baselines for robust security postures. Develops processes that integrate security architecture with change management and systems development lifecycles (SDLC/IDLC) and operational technologies across the university. Develops, formalizes and publishes secure design patterns and knowledge-based articles to enable the secure development, configuration and deployment of security tools and platforms .

Stays informed about changes in legal, regulatory, and technology environments (e.g., emerging OT security trends, technologies, compliance requirements) that may affect operations, and communicates relevant updates to senior management and staff .

Collaborates with cyber functional teams to create and formalize use cases, technical and functional requirements and automation design workflows for respective security tools and platforms, aligning solution designs with Enterprise Security Architecture Framework. Coordinates and collaborates with cyber managed service teams (e.g., VM, SOC, IAM) to review cyber architecture and design components prior to configuration changes, tool updates, and deployment .

Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Great candidate s for the position of Cyber Architect will meet the following qualifications:

5 years of experience in security architecture design and network security and/or related fields.

A bachelors degree or combined experience and education as substitute for minimum education .

Proven experience in security architecture design, with the ability to conceptualize and implement effective security frameworks.

Familiarity with relevant industry frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST CSF).

Extensive knowledge of network security technologies and solutions .

Understanding of cybersecurity best practices and the ability to apply them effectively.

Working knowledge of network security concepts and strategies, including fundamentals and attack strategies.

Ability to coordinate and work efficiently with managed service teams (e.g., VM,SOC , IAM).

Knowledge and experience with OT and IoT devices and implementation of security controls to protect and monitor those devices and environments.

Knowledge of OT system (e.g., SCADA, PLCs, Industrial Controls) and IoT device function, including deployment architecture and underlying protocols for communications (e.g., data transfer).

Understanding of architectural principles and measures in protecting OT environments and IoT devices .

Familiarity with application frameworks, security concepts and strategies to allow for secure application environments.

Experience with operational technology architecture requirements and concepts

Knowledge of modern data center technologies (e.g., virtualization, containerization, cloud computing, disaster recovery).

Ability to design, evaluate and document processes.

Understanding of and experience with Enterprise Security Architecture frameworks, Software Development Lifecycle, and Industry Leading practices across the full scope of cyber domains and capabilities.

Understanding of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and Infrastructure Development Lifecycle (IDLC) processes, integrating security considerations throughout.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Exceptional candidate s for the position of Cyber Architect will also bring the following qualifications or more :

7 years of related experience.

A bachelors degree in information science or computer science or computer engineering or in related field(s); or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

Experience leading teams in process review and improvement.

Experience in a university environment.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate , through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USCs Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The annual base salary range for this position is $167,182.21 to $182,270.08 . When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidates work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support the well-being of our faculty and staff, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USCs comprehensive benefits here .

Join the USC cybersecurity team within an environment of innovation and excellence.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree

Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 5 years in security architecture design and network security and/or related fields.

Minimum Skills: Proven experience in security architecture design, with the ability to conceptualize and implement effective security frameworks. Familiarity with relevant industry frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST CSF). Extensive knowledge of network security technologies and solutions. Understanding of cybersecurity best practices and the ability to apply them effectively. Working knowledge of network security concepts and strategies, including fundamentals and attack strategies. Ability to coordinate and work efficiently with managed service teams (e.g., VM,SOC, IAM). Knowledge and experience with OT and IoT devices and implementation of security controls to protect and monitor those devices and environments. Knowledge of OT system (e.g., SCADA, PLCs, Industrial Controls) and IoT device function, including deployment architecture and underlying protocols for communications (e.g., data transfer). Understanding of architectural principles and measures in protecting OT environments and IoT devices. Familiarity with application frameworks, security concepts and strategies to allow for secure application environments. Experience with operational technology architecture requirements and concepts Knowledge of modern data center technologies (e.g., virtualization, containerization, cloud computing, disaster recovery). Ability to design, evaluate and document processes. Understanding of and experience with Enterprise Security Architecture frameworks, Software Development Lifecycle, and Industry Leading practices across the full scope of cyber domains and capabilities. Understanding of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and Infrastructure Development Lifecycle (IDLC) processes, integrating security considerations throughout.
Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree In Information Science Or Computer Science Or Computer Engineering Or in related field(s)

Preferred Experience: 7 years
Preferred Skills: Experience leading teams in process review and improvement. Experience in a university environment.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at ..., or by email at uschr@usc.edu . Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.