Lead Security Engineer

Location: Houston, TX, United States

Job Family: Security Engineering

About the Role

At JP Morgan Chase, we are at the forefront of redefining the future of financial services through innovation and unwavering commitment to security. As a Lead Security Engineer in our Houston, TX office, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding our global banking operations against sophisticated cyber threats. This position involves carrying out critical cybersecurity solutions across multiple technical areas, including network defense, application security, and cloud infrastructure, as an integral part of an agile team. You will lead efforts to protect sensitive client data, ensure compliance with stringent financial regulations, and enable secure digital transformation initiatives that power everything from retail banking to investment services. In this leadership role, you will collaborate closely with developers, risk managers, and business stakeholders to embed security into every phase of the product lifecycle. Responsibilities include architecting robust security frameworks, conducting advanced threat modeling tailored to the financial industry's unique risks, and driving the adoption of cutting-edge tools to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities. Your expertise will directly contribute to maintaining JP Morgan Chase's reputation as a trusted steward of global finance, where downtime or breaches could have significant implications. This is an opportunity to influence security strategy at one of the world's largest financial institutions, working on high-impact projects that support millions of customers and trillions in assets. We seek a proactive leader passionate about cybersecurity in a dynamic, regulated environment. With your deep technical acumen and agile mindset, you will mentor team members, foster innovation in defensive technologies, and help build resilient systems that evolve with emerging threats. Join JP Morgan Chase to advance your career while contributing to a secure financial ecosystem that powers economic growth worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced cybersecurity solutions across network, application, and cloud environments
• Collaborate with agile teams to integrate security best practices into the software development lifecycle (SDLC) for JP Morgan Chase's financial platforms
• Conduct threat assessments and vulnerability analyses to protect sensitive banking data and ensure regulatory compliance
• Mentor and guide junior security engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in cybersecurity practices
• Develop and maintain security architectures that support scalable, resilient systems for global financial operations
• Respond to and investigate security incidents, coordinating with incident response teams to minimize impact on business continuity
• Stay abreast of emerging threats in the financial sector and recommend proactive defenses against cyber risks
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders, including compliance and risk management, to align security strategies with business objectives
• Evaluate and integrate third-party security tools and technologies to enhance JP Morgan Chase's defense posture
• Contribute to the creation of security policies and standards tailored to the firm's diverse portfolio of banking services

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in cybersecurity engineering, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role
• Proven track record of implementing security solutions in a financial services environment, including compliance with regulations like SOX, PCI-DSS, and GDPR
• Strong understanding of agile methodologies and experience working in cross-functional teams
• Hands-on experience with cloud security architectures, such as AWS, Azure, or GCP, in a regulated industry
• Professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CEH
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances for handling sensitive financial data

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's or MBA) in Cybersecurity or a related field
• Experience in leading security initiatives at a global financial institution like JP Morgan Chase
• Familiarity with threat modeling and risk assessment in high-stakes banking environments
• Knowledge of machine learning applications in cybersecurity for fraud detection
• Prior experience mentoring junior engineers and driving security culture in agile teams

Required Skills

• Expertise in cybersecurity frameworks like NIST, ISO 27001, and MITRE ATT&CK
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or Go for security automation
• Deep knowledge of network security protocols (e.g., firewalls, IDS/IPS, VPNs)
• Experience with SIEM tools like Splunk or ELK Stack for threat detection
• Strong understanding of encryption, access controls, and identity management (e.g., OAuth, SAML)
• Cloud security skills, including IAM, container security, and secure coding practices
• Analytical problem-solving and risk assessment abilities
• Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences
• Leadership and team collaboration in fast-paced agile environments
• Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and CI/CD pipelines
• Knowledge of financial regulations and compliance requirements
• Incident response and forensics expertise
• Adaptability to evolving cyber threats in the banking sector
• Project management skills for leading security initiatives

Benefits

• Comprehensive health insurance plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and families
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company matching contributions
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities, such as tuition reimbursement and access to internal training programs
• Employee stock purchase plan and performance-based bonuses
• Wellness programs, including gym memberships and mental health support
• Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid options in Houston, TX
• Community involvement initiatives and volunteer paid time off

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.