RFQ-ASD-LH-02789 Security Architect

Due to the nature of clients we work with here at Kinexus and the projects these roles will be based on, an Australian Government Top Secret Positive Vetting (TSPV) clearance is essential.

These opportunities do not have the ability to obtain sponsorship for a security clearance (including applicants who currently hold a security clearance seeking to upgrade).

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Security Architects design, review, test and assure the technical environment, solution designs and solution implementations in accordance with current and emerging security best practice. They contribute to the technical architecture and security policies and practices.

Estimated start date: Thursday, 31 July 2025

Initial contract duration: 12 months

Location of work: ACT

Working arrangements: ACT, 5 days a week in the office. Candidates must be willing to undergo ASD's Organisational Suitability Assessment (OSA) prior to engagement. Candidates required to have PV clearance.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) is the federal agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber warfare and information security. ASD's purpose is to defend Australia from global threats and help advance our national interests.

Situated in Canberra, ASD employs over 2000 TSPV cleared workers. ASD's workforce is growing rapidly. Areas of growth include PMO, cyber security, systems administration and engineering, software development and network engineering.

A top-security, complex and highly technical environment, ASD plays a vital role in the defence of Australia. Long contracts (12 months+) available.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop security architectures, (current, transitional and target state), based on agency strategies & plans; and deep understanding of technology & complex ICT systems.
• Inform & validate security requirements for new and existing capabilities; apply requirements traceability to solution designs, implementations & configurations.
• Proactively assess the suitability of solution components against relevant architectures, strategies, policies, standards and practices; identifying issues and proposing options for risk reduction.
• Develop capability gap analysis based on the differences between the current and target state architectures providing guidance on risk management.
• Provide advice and risk-based guidance to support solution implementation including managing security elements of change requests and deviations from specifications.
• Obtain, advise and act on threat intelligence and changes to the technology landscape. Author and review products including tailored security risk assessments and business impact analysis.
• Contribute to the approval of designs through architectural, security and stakeholder bodies. Ensure that that design activities and reviews canvass input from technical and security experts.
• Contribute to agency security and technical architecture forums, representing divisional capability stakeholders.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent. Ideally, majors include Computer Science, Cyber Security or Information Technology Management.
• Experience developing and applying security architecture best practices to enterprise and bespoke ICT systems to achieve capability outcomes with proportionate security assurance.
• Experience providing tailored and robust ICT security advice to technical & project staff.
• Experience in modelling business processes by using various tools and techniques.
• Experience with enterprise architecture modelling tools.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Essential criteria

• Provides definitive and expert advice in their specialist area. Actively maintains recognised expert level knowledge in one or more identifiable specialisms. Oversees the provision of specialist advice by others. Consolidates expertise from multiple sources, including third-party experts, to provide coherent advice to further organisational objectives. Supports and promotes the development and sharing of specialist knowledge within the organisation.
• Designs large or complex systems and undertakes impact analysis on major design options and trade-offs. Ensures that the system design balances functional and non-functional requirements. Reviews systems designs and ensures that appropriate methods, tools and techniques are applied effectively. Makes recommendations and assesses and manages associated risks. Adopts and adapts system design methods, tools and techniques. Contributes to development of system design policies, standards and selection of architecture components.
• Contributes to the development of solution architectures in specific business, infrastructure or functional areas. Identifies and evaluates alternative architectures and the trade-offs in cost, performance and scalability. Determines and documents architecturally significant decisions. Produces specifications of cloud-based or on-premises components, tiers and interfaces, for translation into detailed designs using selected services and products. Supports projects or change initiatives through the preparation of technical plans and application of design principles. Aligns solutions with enterprise and solution architecture standards (including security).
• Provides advice and guidance on security strategies to manage identified risks and ensure adoption and adherence to standards. Contributes to development of information security policy, standards and guidelines. Obtains and acts on vulnerability information and conducts security risk assessments, business impact analysis and accreditation on complex information systems. Investigates major breaches of security, and recommends appropriate control improvements. Develops new architectures that mitigate the risks posed by new technologies and business practices.
• Interprets information assurance and security policies and applies these to manage risks. Provides advice and guidance to ensure adoption of and adherence to information assurance architectures, strategies, policies, standards and guidelines. Plans, organises and conducts information assurance and accreditation of complex domains areas, cross-functional areas, and across the supply chain. Contributes to the development of policies, standards and guidelines.
• Produces, or approves network providers', network architectures, topologies and configuration databases for own area of responsibility. Specifies design parameters for network connectivity, capacity, speed, interfacing, security and access, in line with business requirements. Assesses network-related risks and specifies recovery routines and contingency procedures. Creates multiple design views to address the different stakeholders' concerns and to handle both functional and non-functional requirements.
• Australian Citizenship and a TSPV security clearance is essential

Desirable criteria

• Takes responsibility for understanding client requirements, collecting data, delivering analysis and problem resolution. Identifies, evaluates and recommends options. Collaborates with, and facilitates stakeholder groups, as part of formal or informal consultancy agreements. Seeks to fully address client needs and implements solutions if required. Enhances the capabilities and effectiveness of clients, by ensuring that proposed solutions are fully understood and appropriately exploited.
• Manages the innovation pipeline and executes innovation processes. Develops and adapts innovation tools, processes and infrastructures to drive the process of innovation. Identifies resources and capabilities needed to support innovation. Encourages and motivates innovation communities, teams and individuals to share creative ideas and learn from failures. Manages and facilitates the communication and open flow of creative ideas between interested parties and the set-up of innovation networks and communities.
• Defines and manages scoping, requirements definition and prioritisation activities for initiatives of medium size and complexity. Contributes to selecting the requirements approach. Facilitates input from stakeholders, provides constructive cha

BENEFITS

Why work for ASD?

• Work on interesting and prestigious projects vital to the ongoing defence of Australia.
• Flexible work environment; work the hours that suit you between 7am and 7pm.
• Low attrition rate: the great variety of projects and opportunities across different business areas ensure few workers leave ASD.
• Long contracts available.
• Fantastic growth opportunities available at any stage of your career.

Why Kinexus?

• Kinexus has been supplying TSPV contractors to government panels since 2004 and have a strong relationship with them. We are one of just 9 suppliers Australia-wide.
• Our experience in managing contractors in defence/national security industries means we understand the requirements from the Commonwealth, insurances and clearances.
• DISP accredited; we can hold clearances and manage renewals.
• Dedicated account manager (me!) who is your dedicated POC and offer continuous contractor care.
• Rate negotiation guidance in line with the SFIA framework.
• Dedicated payroll assistant who facilitates your taxes and super.
• We proactively chase timesheet approvers to ensure you get paid on-time and error free.
• Regular visits to Canberra for coffee, lunches and quarterly drinks events.
• We can facilitate novated car leases, LAFHA or salary sacrifice.
• We'll keep you up to date with the most appropriate, interesting opportunities in your field.
• Community matters. Kinexus supports women in Defence through our female mentoring program and rewards referrers through our Referral Rewards scheme.
• Support for your health and wellness through counselling support (EAP) available for all contractors and their families.

Kinexus is the leading recruitment partner to the defence industry in Australia. We support our community in making intelligent connections and create opportunities to help grow careers.

All applications should include your resume as a word document. For more information, visit our website, www.kinexus.com.au or contact Cindace Prasad at 0449 511 324. #LI-CP