Salary: $115,008.00 - $147,216.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Washington Technology Solutions
Division: AID
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 8/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Information Security Architect (EMS 2)

This position is a part of the Security Engineering team in the Architecture and Innovation Division (AID). This position reports to the State Security Architecture Manager.

As an Information Security Architect, you will architect and solve complex, high-risk enterprise security issues that could impact the state's ability to provide mission-critical services to citizens and businesses and protect the data collected and maintained by the state. This position works to sustain public trust in these systems by assuring they are well architected and adequately secured, meeting or exceeding state and federal regulatory requirements.

Duties
Some of what to expect with this role:

• Architect, design, document, provide guidance and maintain the state's enterprise security architecture including the infrastructure, integration and secure operation to support and enable the state's mission-critical services.
• Serve as a technical expert and resource in the statewide enterprise security infrastructure design process, applying the highest degree of technical expertise to resolve a wide range of difficult and complex security problems and implementation strategies.
• Analyze requests and information from internal and external sources to identify, architect or recommend solutions.
• Develop information security solutions and strategies to meet and exceed short and long-term business goals and objectives, as well as other architectural requirements of WaTech and state agency systems. Proactively identify and address security gaps and deficiencies within the enterprise.
• Ensure compliance with the State Information Technology Security Policies and Standards industry best practices, laws and regulations, such as PCI, CJIS, SSA and IRS.
• Analyze pre-production information, system designs, and documentation provided by agencies to identify deficiencies in the application of state information security policies, standards and industry best practices.
• Evaluate the security system posture against threats and vulnerabilities to determine the adequacy of the applicable security controls and ensure that they are implemented and operating effectively.
• Translate complex architecture and technical options from projects, consultations and design discussions, and reviews into business terms for agency and WaTech participants.
• Use industry best practices and tools to assess enterprise security risks and develop quantifiable measures for assessing and reporting to WaTech leadership.

Qualifications
Here's what we're looking for:

• Fifteen years of combined information technology experience working with multiple operating systems or information technology platforms, security, networking, development or other related technologies, which must include the following:
  • Six years of experience working with networking, security, system or cloud administration and integration in a large information technology environment.
  • Five years of information security experience in secure network or systems analysis, development, architecture, design or implementation.
  • Two years of experience supporting security and/or architecture standards and practices within a large organization.
  • Two years of experience leading complex information technology projects, including the application of project management principles.

* A bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, business administration, information security or related field may substitute for four or six years of experience, respectively.

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others

Preference may be granted to applicants with the following:

• Previous experience in enterprise architecture practices using one of the major EA frameworks, such as Zachman, TOGAF, or FEAF.
• Two years' experience writing and implementing security policies and standards across large, diverse organizations.
• CISSP, CCSP, GISP, CEH or similar industry certifications.
• Experience with intrusion detection/intrusion prevention systems, defense and incident response.
• Extensive knowledge of security standards and regulations, such as ISO 27001/27002, COBIT, NIST 800-53, NIST CSF, ITIL, HIPAA, CJIS, etc.
• Demonstrated experience supporting systems security, system integration principles information security engineering and architectural principles and technologies.

Supplemental Information
Telework: This position is approved for telework. However, this position has an as needed onsite requirement to assist with customer consultations and participate in architecture workshops.
What WaTech offers:

As an employee of WaTech, you'll have access to an outstanding that includes medical and dental plan options for you and your family, paid leave and holidays, retirement plan options and more.

While WaTech is headquartered in Olympia, Washington, which is near some of the country's most , we are able to offer many of our positions telework and flexible schedule options to help support a healthy work-life balance.

To learn more about WaTech and what our employees enjoy about working here, please .
Additional information about this role:

• This position requires a background check. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability to perform in the position and is a continued condition of employment.

How to apply:

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large "apply" button at the top of this announcement. In addition to completing your online application, please also include the following attachments:

• A current resume detailing your applicable experience, training and/or education.
• A letter of interest highlighting how your experience aligns with the outlined job posting.

Top candidates will be asked to provide a list of their professional references with contact information.
Reminders:

• A real person is reviewing your application material. It is in your best interest to complete the application in its entirety and review thoroughly before submitting. You will not be eligible to re-apply for this posting for 30 days.
• Applications with missing or incomplete fields, or supplemental question responses such as "see resume" may be considered incomplete and removed from consideration.

By submitting your materials, you affirm that all information is true and correct. Any untruthful information is cause for removal from the applicant pool. If hired as a result of this recruitment, the discovery of incorrect or falsified information may lead to disciplinary action or dismissal.
Recruitment process:

The first round of application assessments will be conducted seven days after the initial job posting date. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the initial seven-day job posting date. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions.

The salary range reflected above reflects the full potential for this position. The base pay offered to the selected candidate will consider the candidate's specific qualifying experience and internal equity of the existing team.
Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Rebekah Wilkes at (360) 407-8646 or email to
If you'd like to request an accommodation for any part of the selection process, or to receive the application material in an alternate format, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-8242 or .Persons of disability or those who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the mont