Principal Systems Architect - Application Security

About this role:
Wells Fargo is seeking a Principal Security Architect - Application Security to help shape the future of secure software development across one of the world's largest financial institutions.
As a senior technical leader, you will influence enterprise security strategy, define architecture standards, and drive secure-by-design practices across modern application platforms, cloud-native technologies, software supply chains, and emerging technologies, including AI-enabled systems.
This role is ideal for a security architect who combines deep technical expertise, strong engineering fundamentals, and strategic influence to solve complex security challenges at enterprise scale.
In this role, you will:

• Advise senior technology and cybersecurity leaders on application security strategy, architecture, and risk management.
• Define and drive enterprise security standards, reference architectures, design patterns, and security requirements.
• Lead security architecture reviews, threat modeling, and risk assessments for strategic initiatives, enterprise platforms, and emerging technologies.
• Champion secure-by-design practices across application development, APIs, cloud-native platforms, DevSecOps pipelines, and software supply chain ecosystems.
• Lead enterprise initiatives related to secure software development, software supply chain security, developer security platforms, application security modernization, and secure AI adoption.
• Influence enterprise technology strategy, architectural direction, and investment decisions that advance secure software development and technology modernization.
• Evaluate technologies through architecture analysis, design reviews, prototyping, automation, and technical experimentation.
• Drive adoption of automation and AI-enabled capabilities that improve security outcomes, engineering productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Mentor architects and senior engineers while fostering technical excellence and innovation.

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of architecture experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
• 7+ years of Architecture, Application Security, Software Security, or related cybersecurity experience.
• Deep expertise in application security architecture, secure software development, software supply chain security, threat modeling, and modern application architectures.
• Experience establishing enterprise security standards, architecture patterns, governance frameworks, or strategic initiatives adopted across multiple organizations.
• Experience leading enterprise-scale transformation initiatives involving application security, secure software development, software supply chain security, developer security platforms, or secure adoption of emerging technologies.
• Strong technical and engineering background with the ability to evaluate architectures, review technical designs, assess application code, and validate solutions through prototyping or proof-of-concept development.
• Experience securing modern application ecosystems, including APIs, cloud-native platforms, software delivery pipelines, open-source software, and distributed architectures.
• Proven ability to influence senior technology leaders, architects, engineering organizations, and cybersecurity stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications:

• Expertise in cloud-native security, API security, DevSecOps, and software supply chain security.
• Experience with modern application security capabilities, including SAST, DAST, SCA, secrets detection, infrastructure-as-code security, container security, SBOM management, and CI/CD security controls.
• Experience developing secure software, automation, security tooling, reusable frameworks, prototypes, or proof-of-concepts.
• Demonstrated engineering depth sufficient to engage credibly with software engineers and evaluate application code, development practices, and emerging technologies.
• Knowledge of secure AI development practices, AI-assisted development technologies, AI application architectures, and security approaches for AI-enabled systems.
• Ability to translate complex technical challenges into enterprise standards, architecture patterns, and strategic recommendations.

Job Expectations:

• This position offers a hybrid work schedule
• This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship
• Demonstrate proficiency in using AI-assisted development and analysis tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot and approved code-centric agents)
• Leverage AI to accelerate system design, coding, testing, analysis, and troubleshooting
• Apply strong technical judgment when validating and integrating AI-assisted outputs into solutions
• Understand and account for model limitations, security risks, and operational considerations
• Apply AI responsibly in development and production environments
• Ensure AI usage aligns with security, compliance, privacy, and ethical standards

Salary Ranges:

• $159,000 - $254,000 - Charlotte, NC
• $159,000 - $254,000 - Chandler, AZ
• $159,000 - $254,000 - Irving, TX
• $175,000 - $279,000 - Minneapolis, MN

Pay Range
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities. $159,000.00 - $279,000.00
Benefits
Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.

• Health benefits
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid time off
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
• Parental leave
• Critical caregiving leave
• Discounts and savings
• Commuter benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Scholarships for dependent children
• Adoption reimbursement

Posting End Date:
4 Oct 2026
* Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit's risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo .
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.
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