Jobs › AbbVie

Application & Platform Security Architect

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Remote available · Full time · Information Technology

Posted Jun 26, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a reusable security architecture pattern you created. How did teams adopt it?

What they are checking: Whether they build security patterns that developers actually choose to use, since unused guardrails protect nothing in practice.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with an enterprise architect. How did it resolve?

What they are checking: Whether they can work through disagreements with peers constructively, since security architects must influence others without formal authority.

What would you do

In a design authority board, a team wants to launch with a known risk because of a deadline. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Risk-based advocacy and knowing when to accept, mitigate or escalate.

How would you explain the business risk of a design flaw to a non-technical application owner?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain technical risk in business terms, so application owners understand why a fix deserves their time and budget.

About the work

Walk me through how you would threat model a new customer-facing web application running in the cloud.

What they are checking: A structured threat modeling approach applied to a realistic system.

What are the most common session management mistakes you see, and how do you prevent them?

What they are checking: Whether they understand application risks beyond the basics, like session handling, because these flaws are common and often missed in reviews.

How do you secure API-to-API communication between internal and external services?

What they are checking: Whether they can design secure service-to-service connections, since APIs link much of AbbVie's systems and partner data together.

How do you keep secrets out of configuration files and code across many application teams?

What they are checking: Whether they have practical patterns for keeping secrets out of code at scale, because leaked credentials are a leading cause of breaches.

How do you get security involved early in the architecture lifecycle instead of at the end?

What they are checking: Whether they can bring security into design early, because fixing flaws late is slower, costlier and more likely to cause conflict.

What misconfigurations do you look for first in a cloud application environment?

What they are checking: Cloud security posture knowledge such as IAM, storage exposure and network paths.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

The Application & Platform Security Architect i s a member of the Information Security team and works closely with other members of the team to develop and implement a comprehensive information security program. This includes defining security policies, processes, and standards. We are seeking a highly skilled architect to collaborate with application development teams, ensuring secure design, coding, configuration, and deployment of technology solutions. The architect will not only focus on common security mechanisms like encryption and authentication but will also dive into application-level risks, session management, securing configuration files, and risk identification in system configurations. This role requires a deep understanding of secure application development practices, including the security of API interactions and cloud application environments. Responsibilities: • Define reusable security architecture patterns and guardrails to enable consistent, secure implementation across high-risk business applications. • Drive secure-by-design initiatives by integrating security considerations early in the software architecture lifecycle and influencing enterprise architecture direction. • Represent security architecture in design authority boards and technical review councils, advocating for risk-based security controls. • Work with in-business IT customers, including application architects and engineers to evaluate application software and infrastructure designs, for the purpose of defining/designing application controls aligned with enterprise standards. • Define application-specific security control architectures and produce design artifacts to guide secure implementation of business-critical systems. • Develop re-usable implementation guidance and design patterns based on previous engagements to scale the service. • Work with information security leadership to develop strategies and plans to enforce security requirements and address identified risks in the infrastructure and applications. • Act as a security architecture liaison to IT delivery and engineering teams, embedding security principles into technical delivery and architecture review forums. • Support security aspects of business & IT initiatives by assisting in architecture, design, implementation, deployment, and operational transition of innovative & secure technology solutions. • Work with information security leadership to develop strategies and plans to enforce security requirements and address identified risks in the infrastructure. • Research, evaluate, design, test, recommend and plan the implementation of new or updated information security technologies. • Establish collaborative working relations with the Information Technology functions to ensure that solutions align with security architecture and business strategy. • Play an advisory role in application development or acquisition projects to assess security requirements and controls and to ensure that security controls are implemented as planned. Complete remediation activities and initiate actions to ensure that compliance and security gaps are successfully addressed. • Research and assess new information security threats and recommend remedial actions. • Foster an information security culture through education, skill development, and implementation of effective information security processes and practices. • Understand and adhere to corporate standards regarding applicable Corporate and Divisional Policies, including code of conduct, safety, GxP compliance, data security, and the software development lifecycle. • Matures and leverages relationships with affiliates, subsidiaries, vendors, and industry peers in accordance with AbbVie Values, Vendor Management Office, and Purchasing to further the mission, vision, and goals of the organization. • Design the security architecture for applications, ensuring all components meet best practices and regulatory compliance. • Work closely with software development, DevOps, and operations teams to integrate security into the software development lifecycle (SDLC). • Lead efforts in identifying potential threats through application threat modeling and propose design changes to mitigate risks. Required: • Bachelor’s degree and 9 years of experience OR Master’s Degree and 8 years of experience OR PhD and 4 years of experience in information security and/or related functions (IT Audit, Risk Management or Security Architecture). • Must have demonstrated exceptional ability to assess and communicate information security concepts and practices, with both business and IT stakeholders. • Requires in-depth knowledge of the systems development life cycle, client area’s functions and systems, and systems applications programs development technological alternatives. • Proven implementation of creative technology solutions that advance the business. • Relevant work experience is important for successful performance of this role due to the complexity of our global IT Security environment. • Strong understanding of application security principles, including OWASP Top 10, SANS/CWE Top 25, and secure coding practices. • Expertise in secure session management, token handling, and authentication mechanisms (OAuth, SAML, OpenID Connect). • Knowledge of cryptographic practices, encryption protocols, and PKI management. • Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP). • Familiarity with tools for code analysis (e.g., SonarQube, Veracode) and vulnerability scanning (e.g., Burp Suite, Nessus). • Understanding of DevSecOps practices, including securing CI/CD pipelines. • Self-starter with the ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously. • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to identify security risks and propose effective solutions. • Ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams and influence technical teams towards secure implementations. • Understanding of cloud computing principles, including virtualization, containerization, microservices, and serverless computing; Risk Management, container security, Kubernetes security, IAM security, network security, auditing, encryption, secrets management and data protection, securing CI/CD. • Advanced knowledge of Identity Security concepts, least-privilege, separation of duties, and Zero trust design principles. • Understanding of federation technologies (WS-Fed, OAuth, OpenID connect, SAML …) and of encryption technologies (encryption types and protocols/standards). • Knowledge of and experience in developing and documenting security architecture and plans, including strategic, tactical and project. • Significant SOX and HIPAA experience in dealing with IT general controls (ITGC), demonstrated through hands-on audit, remediation, and/or computer system validation. • Excellent understanding of current Information Security & Architecture trends and their impact on business strategies including key Information Security vendors and solutions, audit organizations, and influential market research firms. • Excellent communications and influencing skills with strong ability to balance differing stakeholder interests through sound analysis and persuasion. • Strong people skills, collaborative ability to work with IT stakeholders inside and outside of the organization, able to mentor team members with diverse backgrounds. • Thorough understanding of Information Security frameworks and good practices (e.g., ISO, NIST), and proven ability to strike a balance between an academic and pragmatic approach. Preferred: • Information security qualifications such as CISSP are preferred but not required. • Understanding the following concepts is a plus; identity management, federated identity services, incident management, access control, application vulnerability testing, public key infrastructure, Windows, and Unix/Linux, public cloud infrastructure, and services. Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​ • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​ • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​ • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. ​ Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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