Principal Security Solutions Architect Principal Security Solutions Architect - Field CISO (RapidScale)

At RapidScale, exceptional technology is powered by exceptional people. As a growing leader in secure, reliable managed cloud solutions, we help SMBs and enterprises alike simplify IT and unleash innovation. With a broad portfolio spanning AWS, Azure and Google to a full set of Private Cloud and Cybersecurity solutions, RapidScale helps companies turn technology into their biggest competitive advantage. As part of the Cox family of companies, we offer best-in-class benefits, a commitment to work-life balance, and an award-winning workplace experience.
RapidScale is seeking a candidate with a proven security and compliance background and strong executive presence to serve as a Field CISO. Acting in a pre-sales capacity, this role functions as a senior security strategist and trusted advisor to enterprise customers, helping them align security architecture and compliance frameworks with business requirements.
You'll collaborate closely with sales, engineering, and product teams to guide customers through complex cybersecurity and regulatory landscapes, translating risk and compliance needs into practical, scalable solutions powered by our portfolio of technology products and services.
The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with business acumen and polished executive communication skills.
Key Responsibilities
Client Discovery & Consulting

• Lead discovery sessions to uncover customers' security challenges, regulatory pressures, and risk priorities.
• Translate business, regulatory, and technical requirements into outcome-driven security strategies using our technology portfolio.
• Conduct executive briefings, stakeholder interviews, and whiteboarding workshops across business and technical personas.

Security Architecture & Solution Design

• Design comprehensive, secure, and scalable architectures for hybrid, multi-cloud, and on-prem environments.
• Integrate controls such as IAM, Zero Trust, SIEM/SOAR, XDR, encryption, and cloud-native tools.
• Develop security roadmaps and compliance strategies aligned with frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI.
• Drive technical validation efforts including demos, proofs of concept, and RFP/RFI responses.

• Support the development of technical proposals and solution statements with a focus on feasibility, scalability, and compliance strategies aligned with customer risk management objectives.

• Assist sales team on technical and financial aspects of proposal writing and development.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as the technical security lead throughout the sales cycle, from discovery through hand-off to implementation teams.
• Collaborate with sales teams to qualify opportunities, plan sales strategy, and align solutions with business cases.
• Partner with account teams, product managers, and solution engineers to align solution designs with broader go-to-market strategies.

• Lead proposal development, executive presentations, and solution review boards.
• Ensure alignment and seamless handoff between pre-sales strategy and post-sales delivery, working closely with implementation and customer success teams.

Security Thought Leadership

• Represent RapidScale at industry events, executive briefings, and customer panels as a security evangelist.
• Stay current on emerging threats, compliance trends, and evolving frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO, HIPAA, PCI, GDPR), bringing actionable insights to customers and internal teams.
• Produce internal and external enablement content such as security playbooks, architectures, and white papers.
• Mentor solution engineers and partners to elevate security competency across teams.

What You Bring
Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 10 years' experience in a related field. Alternatively, a master's degree and 8 years of experience; a Ph.D. and 5 years' experience; or 14 years' directly relevant experience.

• 5+ years in a customer-facing security role (e.g., Field CISO, Security Architect, Pre-Sales Security Consultant).
• Experience advising large enterprises on cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and compliance in hybrid or multi-cloud environments.

• Strong understanding of MSP/MSSP service delivery models.

Desired Technical Expertise

• Certifications: Security-related certifications such as CISSP/ CCSP/CISM, and one or more public cloud security certifications (AWS/Azure/GCP) are a plus and may be required as part of your ongoing development plan.

• Regulated Industry Experience: Experience working with customers in finance, healthcare, and/or other regulated sectors.

• Security Architecture: Deep knowledge of hybrid cloud and multi-cloud security architectures.
• Compliance: Strong familiarity with regulatory frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS.
• Security Tooling: Experience with various concepts and tools such as Zero Trust, IAM, CNAPP, SIEM/SOAR, XDR, vulnerability management, encryption.

• Public Cloud: Clear understanding of cloud-native security models and provider-specific best practices.

• Managed Security Services: Experience with MDR, SOCaaS, incident response and related managed security services.

USD 144,900.00 - 241,500.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary of $144,900.00 - $241,500.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.