Quantum Cryptography Lead Architect

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At Vodafone, we’re not just shaping the future of connectivity for our customers - we’re shaping the future for everyone who joins our team. When you work with us, you’re part of a global mission to connect people, solve complex challenges, and create a sustainable and more inclusive world. If you want to grow your career whilst finding the perfect balance between work and life, Vodafone offers the opportunities to help you belong and make a real impact.

The Cyber Vodafone Networks team is responsible for developing Security Technology Roadmaps, Target Architectures, Technical Guidance, High Level Designs, Design Patterns and are experts in the security products and solutions we use in the Mobile and Fixed Telecommunication Networks area. They have experience in some or all of these areas as well as an awareness of Security Frameworks and concepts.

The Quantum Cryptography Lead Architect reports to the Senior Manager. They are acting as a Subject Matter Expert in the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) area and responsible for defining and driving the organization's transition to quantum-safe security architectures. The role provides strategic and technical leadership for the assessment, design, governance, and migration of cryptographic systems vulnerable to future quantum computing attacks.

The architect will establish quantum-safe architecture principles, cryptographic standards, migration roadmaps, and crypto-agility capabilities across networks, cloud platforms, digital services, enterprise systems, and customer-facing products. The role will work closely with Cyber Security, Networks, Digital & IT, Procurement, Vendor management, Assurance areas, and strategic technology partners to ensure timely adoption of PQC standards and alignment with regulatory expectations.

They are responsible for working with the wider cyber security architecture team to ensure that they design solutions that balance security risk, protecting customers with user experience and business innovation. They work also across all local markets and global teams to set the global security standards for Vodafone.

They will deliver technology security input to major programmes to ensure security is built into designs, develop security controls to counter emerging threats with evolving technology and will influence the security strategy.

This is a Group level role that has the opportunity to impact and influence across Vodafone global central platforms and throughout our Local Markets. They will have opportunity to interact with all levels of the business across Leadership and Engineering.

What you’ll do

⦁ Strategy & Architecture: Develop and maintain the enterprise Quantum Safe Architecture Strategy. Define target-state architectures for PQC adoption across all technology domains. Establish cryptographic modernization and crypto-agility frameworks. Create multi-year migration roadmaps aligned with business risk, regulatory requirements, and technology lifecycles. Lead architectural decisions concerning hybrid classical/PQC deployments and transition models. Define patterns and controls for legacy systems requiring compensating quantum-safe measures.

⦁ Cryptographic Discovery & Risk Assessment: Lead enterprise cryptographic inventory and discovery initiatives. Identify vulnerable cryptographic assets, protocols, certificates, PKI implementations, and dependencies. Define risk-based prioritization methodologies for migration activities. Establish quantum readiness assessment frameworks across technology platforms and suppliers. Assess exposure to Harvest Now, Decrypt Later threat.

⦁ Leadership and teamwork: Part of a team of Security Architects delivering world-class security solutions into the Vodafone business. Lead security solution design projects and to highlight and clearly articulate risk mitigation requirements to the business. The ability to lead and influence security strategy at a senior technical level is paramount, but the role holder should be business focussed, with the clear objective of security being a business enabler and a strong capability to communicate the security risk.

⦁ Innovation and change: Driving a perception change from security from being seen as an inhibiter to a business differentiator.

⦁ Customers, supplier and third parties: Assess new suppliers, platforms and vendor roadmaps from a security perspective, supporting network strategy and architecture decisions.

Who you are

• Bachelor/Master's Degree;
• 10+ years of security architecture or cryptography experience;
• Deep understanding of: Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), TLS/SSL, VPN technologies, Identity and access management, Key management systems, Network security architectures, Cloud security architectures;
• Experience designing enterprise-scale security transformations;
• Proven ability to influence senior technology and business stakeholders;
• Experience working with global vendors and complex technology ecosystems;
• Confident working with architecture, engineering, delivery and operational teams to embed security into network design and assurance;
• Highly Desirable: Direct involvement in PQC or crypto-agility initiatives, Telecommunications, critical infrastructure, financial services, government, or defence experience; Experience leading cryptographic inventories and cryptographic risk assessments; Participation in industry standards or working groups; Demonstrable expertise in: RSA, ECC, Diffie-Hellman, ECDH, ECDSA, Quantum threats to asymmetric cryptography, NIST PQC algorithms (ML-KEM, ML-DSA, SLH-DSA), Hybrid cryptographic architectures, Crypto-agility principles, Certificate management, Key lifecycle management, Secure software development, Cloud native security, Zero Trust architecture, Secure communications protocols, PKI modernization programmes;
• Fluent in English

Not a perfect fit?

Worried that you don’t meet all the desired criteria exactly? At Vodafone we are passionate about empowering people and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive, whatever their personal or professional background. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align exactly with every part of the job description, we encourage you to still apply as you may be the right candidate for this role or another opportunity.

What's in it for you

• Hybrid Work Model - Flexible hybrid work model with 8-10 in-office days per month, managed by team leaders;
• Vodafone Products and Services - Employees get a mobile phone, free communication plan, data card, and various discounts on services and products;
• Recognition - Recognition programs for innovative, creative, high-potential employees and exemplary behaviors;
• Health and Well-being - Well-being Program offers nutrition and psychological consultations, webinars, workshops, and discounts on various services and products;
• Learning - Access to Communities of Practice and a customizable digital training platform with high-quality content (namely Harvard Business Publishing, Skillsoft and Speexx);
• Local and International Mobility - Internal recruitment with local and international rotation opportunities across departments and roles.

Who we are

We are a leading international Telco, serving millions of customers. At Vodafone, we believe that connectivity is a force for good. If we use it for the things that really matter, it can improve people's lives and the world around us. Through our technology we empower people, connecting everyone regardless of who they are or where they live and we protect the planet, whilst helping our customers do the same.

Belonging at Vodafone isn't a concept; it's lived, breathed, and cultivated through everything we do. You'll be part of a global and diverse community, with many different minds, abilities, backgrounds and cultures. ;We're committed to increase diversity, ensure equal representation, and make Vodafone a place everyone feels safe, valued and included.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, please refer to https://careers.vodafone.com/application-adjustments/ for guidance.

Together we can.