Security Architecture Consultant (Cryptography & Quantum Security)

Company Description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.  

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity. 

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results. 

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.  

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands. 

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life. 

Job Description

Why consider joining our Digital Trust & Cyber Security community? 🤔 

PA has one of the leading applied quantum capabilities in consulting, combining expertise across quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum-safe security. Working closely with Jacobs and our wider global teams, we help government and commercial clients explore, adopt and secure emerging quantum technologies.

As organisations increasingly prepare for the transition to quantum-safe cryptography, we are helping clients understand their exposure to quantum risk, develop migration strategies and embed cryptographic agility into their technology landscapes.

Unlike many roles focused solely on technology delivery, this position offers the opportunity to help shape a rapidly emerging market. You will work alongside leading experts in cybersecurity, quantum technologies and critical infrastructure while helping some of the world's largest organisations prepare for a future where cryptographic trust must evolve.

• Grow a flexible and unique career within a trust-based, inclusive environment that values excellence, innovation, and curiosity. You have the option to progress with us on a technical career track. No need to go onto the Partner career track if this doesn’t align with what you want to do. 
• Hybrid working - our approach is to be in the office or on client site a minimum of 2 days per week.  
• Deepen your expertise through our culture of learning and growth, with access to technical and non-technical training, professional certifications, and opportunities to contribute to our growing quantum and cryptography community.
• Join other experts within our supportive and collaborative tech community through knowledge-sharing and peer-level support, coaching and mentoring 
• Deepen your expertise through our culture of learning and growth – you’ll have budget to take courses (technical and non-technical training), plus gain certifications 

What you can expect 🌱 

• Security architecture and secure-by-design activities.
• Cryptography and PKI advisory work.
• PQC readiness assessments and migration planning.
• Cryptographic discovery and inventory activities.
• Cloud, enterprise and technology transformation programmes.
• Client workshops and stakeholder engagement.
• Development of PQC propositions, methods and thought leadership.
• Support for bids and business development activity.
• An environment that deeply cares about its values Values | PA Consulting

Qualifications

Essential requirements ✅ 

Even if you don’t meet every requirement below, feel free to still apply as we are often hiring for similar roles which your background might be better suited to. 

• Security architecture experience.
• Applied cryptography, PKI, key management or related cybersecurity experience.
• Understanding of public key cryptography, certificates and trust services.
• Experience producing assessments, roadmaps and technical recommendations.
• Strong consulting, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical topics to senior business and technology stakeholders.

Desirable experience ⭐

• Experience with cloud security architecture.
• Enterprise identity and access management.
• DevSecOps and code signing.
• Network security.
• Operational technology or critical infrastructure environments.
• Security transformation programmes.
• Experience with PQC standards, migration planning or cryptographic agility initiatives.

Experience with PQC standards, migration planning or cryptographic agility initiatives is beneficial but not required. We are equally interested in candidates with strong cryptography or security architecture backgrounds who are excited to develop specialist expertise in this area.

Qualifications

• CISSP
• SABSA
• CCSP
• Cloud security certifications
• Security architecture certifications
• Cryptography-related certifications

Please be aware that some of our UK roles at PA Consulting require a UK security clearance.

All PA people are required to undergo background checks and to achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard however, some UK roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, where applicants must have at least 5 years of continuous residency in the UK.

We therefore ask that you only apply if you meet the residency requirements (i.e. you are a British citizen or have been resident in the UK for the past 5 years), as this is the prerequisite for a security clearance. If you're unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to review the UK Government’s guidance on security vetting before applying.

Additional Information

Assessment process ⚖️ 

Please note that the interview stages may be subject to change based on the specific requirements of the role. 

• Quick call with one of our Tech Recruiters – to discuss your application, the role and PA 
• Round 1: Either a competency or technical interview (60 mins) 
• Round 2: Either a competency or technical interview, whichever you didn’t do at first round (60 mins) 
• Final round 🎉: Meeting with a PA leader - a mini case study and discussion around your client-centricity (60 mins) 

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work. 

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self. 

Find out more about Life at PA here. 

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive benefits: 

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare for you and your family 
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days 
• Generous company pension scheme 
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives 
• Annual performance-based bonus 
• PA share ownership 
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn) 

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups. 

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on recruitmentenquiries@paconsulting.com 

Videos To Watch