Security Architect, Cloud & Emerging Technology
Alkermes Waltham, Massachusetts, United States · $165K–$185K/yr
Biotechnology Research · 1,001-5,000 employees
About the role
The Security Architect will lead the secure adoption of cloud services, AI platforms, and LLMs while establishing enterprise-wide security standards and guardrails. They will conduct architecture reviews, implement DevSecOps practices, and provide technical risk assessments to senior leadership.
What they look for
Requirements
Candidates must have at least 10 years of experience in IT or Information Security, with a minimum of 6 years specifically in Security Architecture or Engineering. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field is required, along with deep expertise in AWS security and AI/ML governance.
Benefits
Full description
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Security Architect, Cloud & Emerging Technology. Reporting to the Associate Director of Information Security, this individual contributor role will help shape how we securely adopt and implement cloud services, artificial intelligence platforms, Large Language Models (LLMs), and modern software delivery practices across the enterprise. The successful candidate will partner with Enterprise Architecture, Infrastructure, Engineering, and Data Science teams to establish security standards, implement guardrails, conduct architecture reviews, and enable the secure adoption of emerging technologies while aligning with organizational risk and compliance requirements. The successful candidate will be comfortable going deep technically, but also able to explain risk and recommendations in a way that business and technical leaders can act on.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the lead security architect for cloud, AI, and emerging technology initiatives across the enterprise
- Partner with Enterprise Architecture, Infrastructure and Data Science teams to ensure security requirements are incorporated into solution designs from inception
- Conduct security architecture reviews for system migrations, new platform deployments, and strategic technology initiatives
- Help define and mature the security roadmap for all cloud platforms and emerging technologies.
- Expand and mature enterprise-level AI security guardrails for LLMs, MCP\A2A’s, agentic workflows, and internal AI tools (chatbots, scientific ML models) and integrations
- Partner with AI Advisory and technical teams to conduct technical validation of AI opportunities and design secure end-to-end AI delivery pipelines.
- Support the review and approval process for AI model usage, AI risk assessments, and third party AI components such as models, datasets, embeddings, API’s, etc.
- Configure SIEM rules and observability tools to detect anomalous LLM behavior, unauthorized data access, and guardrail breaches in real-time.
- Lead the evaluation, design, and implementation of advanced security capabilities within CI/CD pipelines and software delivery platforms, continuously improving DevSecOps maturity and reducing software supply chain risk
- Evaluate and prioritize security findings identified through SAST, DAST, SCA, container scanning, cloud security tooling, and software supply-chain assessments.
- Participate in IT change management forums, providing subject matter expertise on cloud security, AI Security, DevSecOps, and emerging technology risks
- Monitor industry trends, threat intelligence and regulatory developments, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities and risks impacting the organization.
- Present technical recommendations and risk assessments to senior leadership, governance boards, and project stakeholders.
Qualifications
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements
- BS/BA in Computer Science, Information Technology, or another related field
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in IT or Information Security with at least 6 years in Security Architecture\Engineering
- Experience evaluating, securing, or governing AI/ML Security, MLOps Security and GenAI technologies within enterprise environments
- Expertise in AI security concepts: prompt injection, model exploitation, adversarial attacks, prompt-based exfiltration, data leakage risks, and agent misbehavior
- Proven experience evaluating and securing AI\ML systems, including generative AI and LLM deployments in enterprise environments
- Experience developing and implementing AI governance frameworks
- Deep hands-on experience in AWS Cloud Security capabilities including IAM, Organizations, SCPs, VPC security, CloudTrail, GuardDuty, Security Hub, KMS, logging, monitoring, and security automation.
- Solid background in cybersecurity engineering: IAM, network security, DLP, encryption, monitoring, incident response and threat modelling.
- Strong understanding of DevSecOps principles, CI/CD security, software supply-chain security, and secure software development practices.
- Experience defining, implementing, and continuously enhancing security capabilities within CI/CD and DevSecOps platforms, with a strong focus on shift-left security, automation, vulnerability management, and software supply chain security.
- Solid knowledge and understanding of security regulations and best practices such as SOX, HIPAA, CIS, ISO/IEC 42001, EU AI Act etc.
- AWS Certified Security Specialty, AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional, CISSP, CCSP, or equivalent certifications strongly preferred.
Personal Attributes
- Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
- Quality-focused individual with strong organizational skills
- Must have necessary interpersonal skills to interface effectively with all levels in the organization
- High integrity with a strong all-around set of business and technical skills
- Ability to influence change across multiple groups, and levels
- Ability to work in a face-paced environment and follow processes and procedures with accuracy and attention to detail
- Problem solving and analytical abilities including the ability to critically evaluate information gathered from multiple sources, reconcile conflicts, decompose high-level information into details and apply sound business knowledge.
- Ability to multi-task and handle on a proactive basis, changing priorities in a fast-paced environment to maximize time-management and efficiencies.
- Ability to work independently with minimal direction; must be a self-starter/self-motivated
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $165,000 to $185,000. In addition, this position is eligible for an annual performance pay bonus. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, training, knowledge, and experience. Alkermes offers a competitive benefits package. Additional details can be found on our careers website: www.alkermes.com/careers#working-here
Alkermes has recently adopted a hybrid working environment to support and meet the needs of employees and this role will operate in a flexible environment with 60% of time in the office and 40% from home. This position is eligible for the hybrid workplace model, requiring work to be completed onsite at our Waltham, MA office at least 3 days per week. This role is not eligible for fully remote work.
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Why join Team Alkermes?
Alkermes applies its decades of deep neuroscience expertise to develop medicines designed to help people living with complex and difficult-to-treat psychiatric and neurological disorders. A global biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in Ireland with U.S. locations in Massachusetts and Ohio, we seek to make a meaningful difference in the way people manage their diseases. We have a portfolio of proprietary commercial products for the treatment of alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder and narcolepsy, and a pipeline of clinical and preclinical candidates in development for various psychiatric and neurological disorders.
We are proud to have been recognized as an employer of choice by many national organizations. In 2024 and 2025, we were certified as a Great Place to Work in the U.S. and named one of Massachusetts’ Top Places to Work by the Boston Globe, a Best Place to Work in Greater Cincinnati by the Cincinnati Business Courier and recognized as a Best Place to Work in BioPharma by Fortune Magazine.
Alkermes, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any qualified applicant or employee because of race, creed, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, application for military service or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law. Alkermes also complies with all work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Alkermes is an E-Verify employer.