Jobs › Northern Trust

Sr Lead Cyber Security Engineering

Northern Trust · Chicago, IL · $114,500–$194,700 a year · Full time

Posted Jul 20, 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

Walk me through a workforce authentication solution you led, covering both hybrid and cloud systems.

What they are checking: Whether they have delivered identity solutions across on-premise and cloud environments, which this team owns.

Tell me about how you led a team through a difficult technical delivery. How did you keep them focused?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead engineers, since the posting says this person leads a team, not just contributes.

What would you do

How would you roll out phishing-resistant MFA to tens of thousands of employees without a flood of help desk calls?

What they are checking: Whether they can plan a large identity change with phasing, communication and fallback paths.

A business application can only support basic authentication and cannot be changed soon. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can find compensating controls for legacy systems instead of blocking or ignoring the risk.

How do you explain an identity architecture decision to non-technical risk stakeholders?

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate security trade-offs clearly to people who must approve them.

About the work

Explain the difference between SAML, OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect, and when you would use each.

What they are checking: Whether they really understand modern security protocols rather than just naming them.

What does Zero Trust mean in practice for workforce access, beyond the slogan?

What they are checking: Whether they can turn Zero Trust into concrete controls like device posture, continuous verification and least privilege.

How do you design privileged access so administrators can do their jobs without standing access to everything?

What they are checking: Whether they understand just-in-time access and privileged access management as defense in depth.

How do access governance and certification reviews fit into your identity program, and how do you make them meaningful?

What they are checking: Whether they know that rubber-stamp access reviews are a common audit finding and how to avoid that.

How would you detect a compromised employee account that has valid credentials?

What they are checking: Whether they think about identity threat detection like impossible travel and unusual access, not just login controls.

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The full job description

As published by Northern Trust.

About Northern Trust As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world’s most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions. Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide. With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service. We are seeking a highly skilled Tech lead with deeper expertise in various security products, authentication, authorization, access management, governance. As a key member of Workforce Authentication and Authorization team you lead a team to play a vital role in ensuring the secure implementation of various solutions (Hybrid and Cloud). Requirements/Responsibilities - • Lead Identity centric Workforce Security solutions team to develop authentication and access management solutions • Drive the development of identity solutions, access patterns, modern security protocols, practicing Zero trust, least privileged, defense in depth principles • Review and provide feedback on Identity and access management related security solutions proposed by stakeholders and can provide consultation to the partners and IT Management • In-depth knowledge and experience on Entra ID, EPM, Sentinel, Azure, AWS Security • Knowledge on Okta, PingFederate, Entitlement management solutions • Strong knowledge on Identities management on Azure AD with OAuth, OIDC, SAML, SSO, MFA, Conditional access policies, MFA, Kerberos, LDAP, Identity Federations etc. • Experience in providing security solutions for Java based Micro services, React based frontends and Android/iOS based mobile applications on the Azure • Hands-of experience in JWT, session handling, Code signing, Certificate authentication, TLS/SSL, API Security, Application registration, application integration scenarios etc. • Awareness of API Management, Firewalls, DLP, VPNs, DNS, Azure Defender, MCAS, Sentinel, WAFs, Application Gateways, NSGs, App Proxy, Radius clusters, CDN etc. • Good understanding of Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management solution (CIEM) to ensure smooth remediation of toxic combinations, high risk entitlements etc. • Understanding and application of threat modeling concepts and methodologies • Understanding of Applications security, OWASP standards, security best practices, browser compatibilities/storages/cookies • Acts as Workforce cybersecurity expert to in solutions spanning end user computing, proxy solutions, MFA, SSO, conditional accesses, Passwordless, Yubikey, bio-metric solutions, identity and governance scenarios, Secrets Management, automation, role based access control, Privileged identity management, Just in time accesses etc. • Participates in solutions to support- token handling, OIDC/ OAuth flows, authorization patterns, identity federation, cloud architectures, cryptograpgy, cloud native services, cloud security etc. • Deeper understanding on Cloud Security areas such as Policies, RBAC, activities, identities, privileged access management etc • Ability to support operations in troubleshooting complex identity scenarios with hands-on experience on Sentinel/KQL/Audit logs etc. • Good understanding of concepts related to docker Security, container orchestartions/Kubernetes • Good understanding of AI concepts, Patterns and impact on identity and access management domain Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related discipline and experience in information security, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. • Deep knowledge of application or infrastructure systems architecture, usually having experience with multiple system technologies. • Excellent consultative and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with client, partner, and IT management and staff. • Ten years of experience in the Information Security role. Five years of experience as an Tech lead • CISSP, CSSP, or Cloud security certification preferred • Strong collaboration skills and a analytical ability • Certifications on Azure, AWS security will be preferred Salary Range: $114,500 - 194,700 USD Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component. Work Authorization Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa). Working with Us As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve. Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust’s history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities. Reasonable Accommodation Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com , or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.

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