Principal Cloud Security Engineer

This range is provided by Kforce Inc. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

$75.00/hr - $80.00/hr

• Own cloud security strategy and execution for GCP, focusing on compliance, vulnerability management, and scalable controls
• Apply your past on-prem experience to secure a hybrid environment while leaning fully into GCP for the future
• Handle vulnerability assessments and patching processes across tens of thousands of machines, prioritizing and executing within tight timelines
• Contribute hands‑on with tools like Terraform and Ansible, with working knowledge of Python (not a developer role, but familiarity is key)
• Guide decisions around PCI, SOC compliance, and business continuity planning (BCPs)
• Present to senior leadership, explain security tradeoffs, and justify technical decisions with clarity and confidence
• Mentor peers and junior team members, representing the principal level with strategic insight and technical depth
• Participate in GCP migration projects-ideally having been involved in past cloud transition initiatives

• 10+ years of experience in IT
• 8+ years of experience in security or infrastructure roles
• 2-4+ years of recent, hands‑on experience with GCP (not just AWS)
• Experience moving from on‑prem environments to cloud‑native models
• Strong grasp of Dev Ops principles – comfortable automating with Terraform and Ansible
• Working knowledge of Python for scripting and automation purposes
• A strategic thinker with excellent communication skills – comfortable leading meetings, mentoring others, and making big‑picture decisions
• Experience in regulatory environments (PCI, SOC) with a strong understanding of compliance frameworks
• Bonus:
  Prior involvement in cloud migration efforts – especially understanding when and how you engaged in the process

Why this role matters:
Our client has built a strong model in AWS and is now extending that to GCP. The challenge? A gap in GCP expertise. They’re actively seeking talent with real GCP experience to lead the charge in cloud security and compliance – particularly someone who understands both the technical and strategic layers. What this role is not:
This isn’t a Kubernetes‑heavy or app‑development position. You won’t be building a public cloud architecture from scratch – but you will influence how security scales within it.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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