Director – Technology, Web Application Firewall (WAF)

FINRA

. Lead strategy, engineering, and operations for enterprise Web Application Firewall (WAF), Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), certificate lifecycle management, secure software development, and public cloud platforms .

Posted 10/1/2026full-timeUnited StatesLead💰 $154,400 - $299,600 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in leading Web Application Firewall (WAF) strategy, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) management, and secure software development while ensuring compliance with FINRA standards. Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams, optimize technology operations, and adopt innovative AI-driven security solutions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

WAF Strategy and ArchitecturePublic Key Infrastructure (PKI) ManagementSecure Software DevelopmentTechnical Project OversightFinancial Services Industry Experience

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Web Application Firewall (WAF)Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)Certificate Lifecycle ManagementDDoS MitigationCryptographyCloud SecurityAI-Driven Security ToolingTLS/mTLS StandardsSoftware DevelopmentCompliance Standards

Soft Skills

LeadershipTechnical CommunicationRelationship BuildingOrganizational Change ManagementProblem Solving

Tools & Technologies

HSM AdministrationCertificate Authority OperationsGenerative AI ToolsAI-Assisted DevelopmentSecurity Tooling Vendors

Industry Keywords

FINRA ComplianceISO-9000ITILAgile MethodologiesBusiness Technology Principles

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead strategy, engineering, and operations for enterprise Web Application Firewall (WAF), Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), certificate lifecycle management, secure software development, and public cloud platforms
Directly manage and/or influence teams across technology disciplines
Own WAF strategy, architecture, and daily operations, including rule tuning, policy management, false-positive reduction, DDoS/bot mitigation, and protection of internet-facing and internal applications
Direct PKI practice, including certificate authority operations, certificate lifecycle automation, key management, HSM administration, TLS/mTLS standards, and code-signing services
Evaluate and responsibly adopt generative AI, AI-assisted development, and AI-driven security tooling while managing security, privacy, and governance risks
Coordinate internal and external partners to improve technology reliability and usability while optimizing costs and return on investment
Deliver results aligned with FINRA annual goals, department goals, and management requests
Direct and coordinate financial and budget activities for the program, project, and/or practice area
Provide leadership in application security, cryptography, secure software engineering, cloud security, and responsible AI adoption
Analyze information, evaluate results, and select solutions to solve problems
Support evaluation of technologies, techniques, and tools across WAF, PKI/cryptography, and AI
Report status and issues to senior Technology management
Negotiate services and product agreements with WAF, certificate authority, security, and AI security tooling vendors
Serve as backup to more senior management as needed
Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external peers
Establish, evolve, and maintain compliance with standard practices and processes
Ensure adherence to technology policies and security controls
Ensure work products meet or exceed FINRA standards and risks are managed effectively
Participate in DR, BCP, and SOX testing and reporting, including certificate expiry, key recovery, and WAF failover scenarios
Identify and hire resources, including WAF engineers, PKI/cryptography specialists, software developers, and cloud security engineers
Manage staff performance and training
Coordinate assignments of subordinate staff
Demonstrate FINRA values and collaborate in-person and virtually in support of investor protection and market integrity

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or related discipline with at least ten (10) years of related experience, or equivalent training and/or work experience
Master’s degree and past Financial Services industry experience preferred
Minimum of 5 years of technical project, program and/or practice area oversight
Past experience influencing decisions and building consensus across internal and external partners
Knowledge of business, technology and management principles involved in strategic planning, organizational change management, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, and coordination of people and resources
Direct experience in strategy, software development, operations, engineering, development services, information security, and/or compliance
Extensive knowledge of industry-leading technology best practices
Familiarity with at least one of ISO-9000, ITIL, Agile and iterative methodologies
Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills
Ability to develop effective working relationships and leverage those relationships to improve work product quality
Ability to identify, evaluate and recommend processes, tools, technologies and/or products to meet business and budgetary requirements
Well organized, thorough, and able to handle competing priorities
Ability to maintain focus and rapidly develop proficiency in new skills
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Hybrid work environment with defined in-person presence requirements
Occasional travel and extended hours may be required
Must comply with FINRA investment restrictions, securities account disclosure requirements, Employee Confidentiality and Invention Assignment Agreement, and company nepotism policy

Benefits

Comp & perks

Discretionary bonus eligibility
Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance
Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life insurance
Spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment insurance
Short- and long-term disability insurance
Long-term care insurance
Business travel accident insurance
Legal insurance
Immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match
Eligibility for an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution
Tuition reimbursement
Commuter benefits
Adoption assistance
Backup family care
Surrogacy benefits
Employee assistance
Wellness programs
15 days of paid time off, increasing with years of service up to 25 days
5 personal days
9 sick days
2 volunteer service days
Military leave
Jury duty leave
Bereavement leave
Voting and election official leave
Care of a family member leave after 90 days of employment
Childbirth and parental leave after 90 days of employment
Nine paid holidays for full-time employees