Principal IT Architect - Security Emphasis

SWITCH United State
Remote
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AI Summary

Design and govern secure enterprise infrastructure, define secure reference architectures, and advise senior leadership on long-term platform strategy. Requires 10+ years of experience in enterprise infrastructure, platform engineering, or security architecture. Strong expertise in VMware architecture and enterprise virtualization security controls.

Key Highlights
Define and maintain secure reference architectures
Design and govern secure VMware environments
Establish hypervisor hardening standards
Key Responsibilities
Define and maintain secure reference architectures across virtualization, Kubernetes, networking, identity, and operating systems
Architect and govern secure VMware environments including vSphere, ESXi, vCenter, VCF, and NSX where applicable
Establish hypervisor hardening standards and secure cluster design patterns
Design Kubernetes security architecture including RBAC, network policies, admission controls, and pod security standards
Define secure multi-cluster governance models within Rancher or equivalent platforms
Set standards for container image security and software supply chain protection
Implement and govern CIS benchmarks for virtualization and container platforms
Define identity and access control models across Windows, Linux, macOS, and cloud environments
Ensure infrastructure security aligns with network segmentation, firewalls, routing, DNS, and load balancing
Integrate logging, monitoring, and telemetry into centralized security operations
Conduct threat modeling and architectural risk assessments for major initiatives
Participate in Architecture Review Board and change governance processes
Serve as a technical escalation point for complex cross-domain security issues
Present architectural risk, tradeoffs, and long-term strategy to EVP and C-level leadership
Challenge designs that introduce systemic risk or operational fragility
Technical Skills Required
VMware architecture Enterprise virtualization security controls Kubernetes security architecture RBAC Network policies Admission controls Pod security standards CIS benchmarks Identity and access control models Windows Linux macOS Cloud environments Logging Monitoring Telemetry Threat modeling Architectural risk assessments
Benefits & Perks
Remote work
Flexible work arrangement
Generous benefits package
Career stability and growth
Industry leading designs
Flexibility and remote opportunities
Nice to Have
Experience with Rancher or other multi-cluster orchestration platforms
Experience in hybrid cloud environments
Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, CISM, Kubernetes, VMware, or TOGAF

Job Description


Location: Remote

About Switch

At Switch, we don’t just design, build and operate data centers—we are enabling the technology of the future. Led by Founder & CEO, Rob Roy, we believe in revolutionary innovation, operational excellence and the principle of karma. Switch is where talented people come together to EVOLVE the digital world.

We believe that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about the people, culture, and purpose that make it happen. Every Switch team member contributes to a mission greater than themselves: to create the world’s most advanced digital infrastructure that powers the progress of humanity.

The Role: IT Architect - Security Emphasis

As a Principal IT Architect focused on security, you define how secure enterprise infrastructure is designed and governed across Switch’s internal environment. You set standards for virtualization, container platforms, identity systems, and hybrid cloud infrastructure.

This is a hands-on architecture role. You are expected to design, review, and challenge technical decisions that impact enterprise risk. You work across infrastructure domains and advise senior leadership on long-term platform strategy and systemic risk.

What You’ll Do

  • Define and maintain secure reference architectures across virtualization, Kubernetes, networking, identity, and operating systems
  • Architect and govern secure VMware environments including vSphere, ESXi, vCenter, VCF, and NSX where applicable
  • Establish hypervisor hardening standards and secure cluster design patterns
  • Design Kubernetes security architecture including RBAC, network policies, admission controls, and pod security standards
  • Define secure multi-cluster governance models within Rancher or equivalent platforms
  • Set standards for container image security and software supply chain protection
  • Implement and govern CIS benchmarks for virtualization and container platforms
  • Define identity and access control models across Windows, Linux, macOS, and cloud environments
  • Ensure infrastructure security aligns with network segmentation, firewalls, routing, DNS, and load balancing
  • Integrate logging, monitoring, and telemetry into centralized security operations
  • Conduct threat modeling and architectural risk assessments for major initiatives
  • Participate in Architecture Review Board and change governance processes
  • Serve as a technical escalation point for complex cross-domain security issues
  • Present architectural risk, tradeoffs, and long-term strategy to EVP and C-level leadership
  • Challenge designs that introduce systemic risk or operational fragility

What We’re Looking For

  • You think in systems and identify risk across interconnected platforms
  • You are clear and direct when communicating technical risk to non-technical leaders
  • You hold high standards and challenge decisions that compromise resilience or security
  • You work collaboratively across infrastructure, security, and operations teams
  • You follow through and can be relied on for critical design decisions
  • You focus on solutions, not just problems
  • You align decisions to long-term stability, not short-term convenience

Required

What You’ll Bring

  • 10+ years of experience in enterprise infrastructure, platform engineering, or security architecture
  • Deep expertise in VMware architecture and enterprise virtualization security controls
  • Experience securing production Kubernetes environments
  • Strong understanding of enterprise networking including segmentation, routing, firewalls, DNS, and load balancing
  • Strong knowledge of identity systems, access control models, encryption, and secrets management
  • Experience implementing CIS benchmarks for virtualization and container platforms
  • Experience participating in architecture governance and influencing senior leadership decisions

Preferred

  • Experience with Rancher or other multi-cluster orchestration platforms
  • Experience in hybrid cloud environments
  • Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, CISM, Kubernetes, VMware, or TOGAF

If you meet most of the requirements but not all, we encourage you to apply.

Why Switch?

A Culture of Karma – We are self-motivated by karma, ensuring our actions contribute to a positive, supportive and forward-thinking environment.

Industry Leading Designs – Work with the most advanced data center technology on the planet and be a part of emerging technology development.

Flexibility & Remote Opportunities – Whether in-office, hybrid, or fully remote, we offer the technology and support to keep teams connected and productive.

Career Stability & Growth – In this expanding industry, we invest in our people, providing opportunities & advancement in a stable, growing company.

Generous Benefits Package – Switch provides comprehensive coverage for you and your family that can be tailored to fit your personal needs, and more.

Join Us & Make a Difference

This is more than a job—it’s a mission. If you’re ready to be part of a culture that values innovation, accountability, and limitless potential, we want to hear from you.

Apply Now and Let’s Build the Future Together.

  • Remote applicants must reside in one of our registered states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, GA, IL, LA, MA, MI, MO, NC, NV, NY, OR, TX, UT, VA, WA.

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