Strategic Engineering Director – Security Architecture & Cloud Resilience (Remote – Full‑time Leadership Role at a Global Retail Innovator)

Why This Role Matters – Join a Visionary Security Team

Target isn’t just a retail powerhouse; it’s a cultural institution that touches the lives of millions of families every day. Our mission is simple yet profound: help people discover the joy of everyday life. Behind the iconic red bullseye lies a relentless commitment to innovation, responsible stewardship, and a safe, secure digital experience for both customers and employees. As the Engineering Director – Security Architecture, you will be at the epicenter of this transformation, shaping the security foundations that protect our vast ecosystem of e‑commerce platforms, supply‑chain systems, and in‑store technologies.

We are looking for a high‑impact leader who thrives in a remote‑first environment, enjoys collaborating across distributed teams, and can translate complex security challenges into actionable, enterprise‑wide solutions. If you are passionate about building resilient architectures, mentoring top‑tier talent, and influencing security strategy at scale, this is your moment to make a lasting imprint on a globally recognized brand.

Key Responsibilities – What You’ll Own and Drive

In this senior leadership role, you will be accountable for both strategic vision and hands‑on execution. Your day‑to‑day activities will include, but are not limited to:

• Strategic Leadership: Define, evolve, and champion Target’s security architecture roadmap, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory mandates, and emerging threat landscapes.
• Team Building & Management: Recruit, develop, and retain a high‑performing team of security architects; provide coaching, performance management, and career‑growth pathways.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with product, engineering, data, and operations leaders to embed security controls early in the design lifecycle and throughout continuous delivery pipelines.
• Risk Identification & Mitigation: Conduct thorough threat modeling, vulnerability assessments, and risk‑based prioritization to drive proactive remediation across cloud, on‑prem, and hybrid environments.
• Architecture Review & Guidance: Lead full‑stack architecture reviews, delivering clear, actionable feedback and ensuring adherence to security best practices, NIST, ISO/IEC 27001, and other relevant frameworks.
• Security Framework Development: Create and maintain comprehensive security documentation, including models, frameworks, reference architectures, and configuration guides.
• Technology Stewardship: Evaluate, prototype, and integrate cutting‑edge security tools (e.g., SIEM, IAM, encryption, container security) that support automated detection and response capabilities.
• Stakeholder Advocacy: Communicate risk posture, architectural decisions, and compliance status to senior leadership and external auditors in a clear, business‑focused manner.
• Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of learning by championing security‑by‑design principles, secure coding standards, and DevSecOps practices across all engineering squads.

Essential Qualifications – The Foundations You Must Bring

To succeed in this role, you’ll need a blend of deep technical expertise, proven leadership experience, and a forward‑thinking mindset. The following qualifications are non‑negotiable:

• A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in cybersecurity, with a strong emphasis on security architecture, cloud security, network security, and identity & access management (IAM).
• Demonstrated success leading and scaling high‑performing security teams (minimum 4 years of people‑management experience).
• Hands‑on mastery of security frameworks and standards such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO/IEC 27001, PCI‑DSS, and SOC‑2.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing secure solutions in multi‑cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) and on‑prem environments, including firewalls, encryption, zero‑trust networks, and container security.
• Proficiency with security tooling ecosystems—SIEM (Splunk, Elastic), vulnerability management (Qualys, Tenable), IAM platforms (Okta, Azure AD), and automated policy enforcement (OPA, Chef InSpec).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with a track record of translating complex risk assessments into concise, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—capable of influencing senior stakeholders and facilitating cross‑functional collaboration.
• Commitment to staying current on emerging threats, security trends, and innovative mitigation strategies through continuous learning.

Preferred Experience & Skills – What Will Set You Apart

• Advanced certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCSP, or equivalent demonstrated expertise.
• Hands‑on experience with infrastructure‑as‑code (Terraform, CloudFormation) and container orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker) from a security perspective.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement security reference architectures for large‑scale, globally distributed systems.
• Familiarity with AI/ML security considerations, data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA), and emerging zero‑trust models.
• Experience leading security initiatives in a retail or e‑commerce environment, where rapid feature delivery and high transaction volumes are the norm.
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages (Java, Python, Go, C#) and scripting for security automation.
• Track record of influencing cultural change toward security‑by‑design and DevSecOps adoption.

Core Competencies & Personal Attributes – The DNA of Success

• Strategic Vision: Ability to see the big picture while guiding detailed execution.
• Leadership Presence: Inspirational mentor who empowers teams to exceed expectations.
• Collaborative Mindset: Skilled at building bridges across product, engineering, legal, and compliance groups.
• Adaptability: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities in a fast‑moving environment.
• Integrity & Ethics: Unwavering commitment to confidentiality, ethical decision‑making, and compliance.
• Continuous Learning: Proactive in acquiring new knowledge, certifications, and best practices.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities – Your Path Forward

At Target, leadership is a journey, not a destination. As an Engineering Director, you will be positioned for continued advancement into senior executive roles such as Vice President of Security Strategy or Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). You will have access to:

• Executive mentorship programs that pair you with senior technology leaders across the organization.
• Sponsored certifications, conferences, and workshops that keep you at the forefront of security innovation.
• Opportunities to lead cross‑functional, high‑visibility projects that directly influence business outcomes.
• A robust internal knowledge‑sharing platform where you can publish whitepapers, lead webinars, and shape best‑practice libraries.

Work Environment & Culture – Thrive in a Remote‑First, Inclusive Community

Target’s “Flex for Your Day” philosophy empowers you to choose the work setting that maximizes your productivity—whether that’s a dedicated home office, a co‑working space, or an occasional on‑site visit to our headquarters. Our culture emphasizes:

• Inclusivity: A diverse workforce where every voice is valued and ideas are welcomed.
• Innovation: An ecosystem that encourages experimentation, rapid prototyping, and learning from failure.
• Collaboration: Regular virtual coffee chats, cross‑team hackathons, and community‑building events that foster strong relationships.
• Well‑Being: Resources for mental health, ergonomic home‑office stipends, and flexible scheduling that respect work‑life balance.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits – A Comprehensive Package

Target offers a market‑competitive salary range of $160,900 – $289,700, calibrated by experience, certifications, and geographic considerations. In addition to base compensation, you will receive:

• Annual performance‑based bonuses tied to individual and company outcomes.
• Comprehensive health coverage—including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, and mental‑health resources—for you and your dependents.
• Retirement savings with a generous 401(k) match.
• Paid time off—including vacation, sick leave, national holidays, and flexible personal days.
• Employee discount programs that extend throughout Target’s retail and online channels.
• Professional development budget for certifications, courses, and conference attendance.
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage, as well as employee assistance programs.

How to Apply – Take the Next Step Toward Impactful Leadership

If you are ready to shape the future of security at one of the world’s most recognizable brands, we invite you to submit your application today. Please ensure your resume highlights relevant leadership achievements, security architecture successes, and any certifications that demonstrate your expertise.

Target is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to creating an accessible recruitment experience. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, contact [email protected].

Application deadline: January 9, 2025. We look forward to learning how your vision, experience, and passion for security can help us protect the everyday moments that matter most to our customers.

Apply Now – Join the Target Security Leadership Team