Lead Cyber Security Architect

Application closing date: Friday, 9 November 2026 • 11:59pm, Canberra time

Estimated start date: Friday, 01 January 2027

Location of work: VIC

Working arrangements:Full-time onsite for the first 2 weeks. A hybrid WFH arrangement, usually a minimum of 2 days per week onsite, will be considered from the location of their capital city.

Length of contract: 12 months

Contract extensions: Up to a maximum of 24 months

Security clearance: Must have an active Baseline clearance

Rates: $140 - $160 per hour (inc. super)

Services Australia is at the frontline of government service delivery, supporting millions of Australians, and is front and centre of a vision to be a world leader in government service delivery. It’s using cutting-edge technology to build world class platforms and capabilities to help Australians get on with their lives.

The Lead Cyber Security Architect provides security architecture and technical direction to ensure Services Australia solutions, platforms and services are secure by design. Security Architects design, review, test and assure technical environments, solution designs and implementations in accordance with current and emerging security best practice.

Operating with substantial autonomy in a large, fast-paced environment, the role translates business and functional requirements into secure, integrated ICT solutions. It develops fit-for-purpose architectures, establishes security standards and governance, leads security design across the solution lifecycle, resolves architectural exceptions and provides practical advice to delivery teams. The role supports organisational change and aligns technology outcomes with the agency’s strategic direction.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Translate business and ICT requirements into conceptual, logical and end-to-end solution architectures aligned with strategic and operational priorities.
• Develop and maintain solution architecture artefacts aligned with Architecture Review Taskforce (ART) roadmaps, enterprise architecture standards and broader technology strategies, maintaining traceability from business priorities to delivery outcomes.
• Assess industry standards, emerging technologies and capability gaps, recommending solution options that inform technology and cyber security strategy.
• Lead solution analysis, incorporate stakeholder input and develop architecture options, artefacts and recommendations to support executive decision-making.
• Provide technical advice, coordinate architecture activities and identify, communicate and resolve complex issues, risks and architectural exceptions.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, communicate with diverse audiences and negotiate practical outcomes.
• Think strategically, evaluate interdependencies and exercise judgement in ambiguous environments to develop long-term plans and quality solutions.
• Promote innovation, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing to strengthen architecture capability across the agency.
• Share specialist knowledge and build capability through guidance and mentoring of the team and key APS personnel.

Qualifications and Experience required:

• Knowledge of cyber/security domain frameworks, legislation, policies and procedures
• Understanding of relevant business systems and tools
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Professional presentation skills

Technical skills required:

• Practical knowledge of securing Azure, AWS and on-premises environments, including identity and access management, encryption, key management and network controls.
• Ability to identify security and architectural gaps, collaborate with key stakeholders and recommend clear, risk-based solutions.

Essential criteria

1. Demonstrated ability to analyse complex business issues within the cyber security domain; deliver pragmatic, risk-based recommendations; influence stakeholders; collaborate across multidisciplinary teams; and transfer knowledge to APS personnel.

Desirable criteria

1. Knowledge of architecture principles and end-to-end solution design, including the integration of cyber security requirements throughout the architecture lifecycle.
2. Experience applying Australian Government cyber security, protective security, resilience and architecture governance frameworks.
3. Experience designing secure systems that support critical government services, including system and subsystem boundaries, centralised monitoring, cyber security technologies and security automation.
4. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience presenting clear architectural advice and recommendations to senior governance bodies and executive forums.

HOW TO APPLY

Please provide an updated CV (a maximum of 3-5 pages) to reflect your suitability to the role based on the job description. You will also need to complete responses to the essential and desirable criteria which is no more than 5000 characters for each response. Your application will be reviewed based on ability to demonstrate, or potential to develop, the capabilities required.