Senior Cybersecurity Architect – Utility Grid Modernization

Work remotely (hybrid) as a senior cybersecurity architect supporting a major electric utility grid-modernization assessment. This contract role focuses on building actionable cybersecurity architecture, clarifying risk across IT and Operational Technology (OT), and translating modernization goals into a phased roadmap. You will partner with technical and executive stakeholders to shape priorities that align with grid upgrades across the utility enterprise and its field-connected systems.

What you’ll do

• Assess cybersecurity risks across IT and OT domains, including SCADA, AMI, telecommunications, billing, and enterprise environments.
• Review the current cybersecurity architecture and identify gaps that affect grid-modernization initiatives.
• Evaluate security considerations for smart metering and related systems, including meter-data systems, DERMS, private LTE, and utility communications infrastructure.
• Define cybersecurity architecture and requirements for access control, network segmentation, secure remote access, monitoring, vulnerability management, incident response, data protection, resilience, and third-party risk.
• Assess integration and security implications of utility platforms such as ERP, GIS, OMS, EMS, CIS, and billing.
• Produce prioritized recommendations based on risk, operational impact, and modernization objectives.
• Develop a phased cybersecurity roadmap that supports the utility’s modernization program.
• Participate in stakeholder interviews, technical workshops, architecture reviews, and working sessions.
• Prepare technical findings, recommendations, and executive-level briefings.
• Support implementation planning and help translate cybersecurity requirements into actionable modernization initiatives.

What you bring

• 15+ years of professional experience across cybersecurity, utility technology, OT/ICS, industrial automation, telecommunications, or critical infrastructure.
• 10+ years supporting electric utilities or energy-sector programs.
• Proven experience with utility environments including SCADA, AMI, smart metering, meter-data systems, billing, ERP, GIS, OMS, EMS, and/or CIS platforms.
• Extensive experience with OT/ICS cybersecurity architecture and risk assessments.
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and standards, including:
  • NIST SP 800-53
  • NIST SP 800-82
  • NIST SP 800-207
  • ISA/IEC 62443
• Experience developing security architecture, technical requirements, risk assessments, and cybersecurity modernization roadmaps.
• Ability to communicate complex cybersecurity risks and architecture decisions to both technical teams and executive stakeholders.
• Active CISSP certification.
• Active PMP certification.
• Ability to travel periodically during the engagement.
• Fluent professional English.

Preferred

• Experience with GIAC GRID, DERMS/distributed-energy technologies, private LTE, and utility telecommunications environments.
• Spanish-language capability is beneficial.

Engagement details

• Engagement: Contract
• Work location: Remote (Hybrid)
• Travel: Periodic travel internationally
• Pay: USD 100,000 - 165,000 per year

How the work is framed

This is a senior consulting engagement intended for an architect with substantial electric utility and OT cybersecurity experience, focused on assessing the current environment and establishing cybersecurity architecture and priorities supporting a significant grid-modernization initiative.