Lead Security Architect

Company Description

Who We Are 

Burwood Group is not your average technology consulting firm. We are an innovative, culture-driven, industry leader and we are growing our team by leaps and bounds. Founded in 1997 in Chicago (and still headquartered here), we've grown to be a 200+ employee firm with people and offices spread from Southern California to North Carolina.

Our specialty is closing the gap between business strategy and technology solutions. Our clients view Burwood as a trusted advisor and partner who can help them select the best technology for the job, manage and execute a first-rate implementation, and measure project success by the business outcomes achieved.

Job Description

Role Type: W2 Contract, potential conversion to full-time

Work Status: US Citizen or Green Card

Start: Immediate

Hourly: $80 to $100

Location: Chicago, Hybrid

What You’ll Do

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead Security Architect to join our client in support of a critical Protocol Analysis & Remediation project. This role will play a key part in enhancing the client’s cybersecurity posture, with a specific focus on identifying and mitigating risks associated with lateral movement between workloads and endpoints, as well as securing the protocols that facilitate such movements.

The successful candidate will lead the discovery, design, and implementation phases of this project—providing technical expertise in secure protocol configuration, network segmentation, and zero-trust architecture principles.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of security architectures to reduce risks related to lateral movement and protocol vulnerabilities.
• Analyze existing configurations and log data (primarily from Azure Log Analytics) to assess the current threat landscape.
• Deliver detailed findings and risk-reduction recommendations to the Cyber Security Architecture and Engineering team and Security Authority.
• Define and implement network segmentation, access control policies, and compensating controls aligned with zero-trust principles.
• Work closely with Windows and Linux SMEs to implement secure configurations and controls.
• Identify and remediate insecure configurations across Windows and Linux environments.
• Provide technical leadership across architecture, engineering, and operations teams to ensure alignment with best practices.
• Maintain awareness of evolving threats, technologies, and compliance requirements to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Security, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in Information Security with a strong focus on network and systems architecture.
•  Deep understanding of lateral movement techniques, threat vectors, and effective mitigation strategies.
• Experience with industry-standard security frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001).
• Proven experience with zero-trust architecture and secure protocol enforcement.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, TOGAF, or equivalent is highly desirable

The TECH Stuff

• Strong expertise in Windows and Linux architecture, administration, and hardening.
• Proficiency in Azure Log Analytics, Kusto Query Language (KQL), and Azure Alerts.
• Protocol analysis and remediation techniques.
• Scripting skills in Python, Shell, and PowerShell.
• Hands-on experience with firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM, and vulnerability scanners.
• Solid understanding of Active Directory, Azure AD, and secure administrative access practices.
• Familiarity with application delivery, high-availability architectures, and enterprise databases such as SQL Server and Oracle.

Additional Information

The PERKS

If you ask any of our employees here at Burwood “what we love”, the top answer is always the same: our culture.  Our employees are driven, innovative, fun-loving, and always willing to help. In addition to that, Burwood also offers some of the following benefits to our W2 contractors:  

• 401(k)   
• Health, dental, and vision insurance  

Hourly compensation at Burwood Group is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including work location, skill set, experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. ​

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We are not intent on being the largest company, but rather the best. These are the words we live by. This means we welcome all the best talent - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and age. 

Being open to all cultural backgrounds, life experiences, thoughts, and ideas not only strengthens company culture but also encourages different-in-kind thinking and promotes economic success.