Director of Global Cybersecurity Architecture and Engineering

Job Description

Company Description

McDonald’s growth strategy, Accelerating the Arches, encompasses all aspects of our business as the leading global omni‑channel restaurant brand. As the consumer landscape shifts we are using our competitive advantages to further strengthen our brand. One of our core growth strategies is to Double Down on the 3Ds (Delivery, Digital and Drive Thru). McDonald’s will accelerate technology innovation so 65M+ customers a day will experience a fast, easy experience, whether at one of our 25,000 and growing Drive‑thrus, through McDelivery, dine‑in or takeaway.

McDonald’s Global Technology is here to power tomorrow’s feel‑good moments.

That’s why you’ll find us at the forefront of transformative technology, exploring new and innovative ways to serve our millions of customers and spread happiness one delicious Hot Fudge Sundae‑dipped fry at a time. Using AI, robotics and emerging tech, we’re digitizing the Golden Arches. Combine that with our unparalleled global scale, and we’re reshaping all areas of the business, industry and every community that is home to a McDonald’s restaurant. We face complex tech challenges every day. But that’s where our diverse and talented teams come in. They’re made up of the best and brightest from all over the globe, and they thrive in the space where feel‑good meets fast‑paced.

Check out the McDonald’s Global Technology Technical Blog ( to learn how technology and our global team are directly enabling the Accelerating the Arches strategy.

Department Overview

The Director of Global Cybersecurity Architecture and Engineering will lead and inspire a team of Cybersecurity Solution Architects, Domain Architects, Reference Architects, and Engineers. This strategic leader will drive the vision, governance, and execution of cybersecurity architecture and engineering, ensuring alignment with business objectives, enterprise architecture, and cybersecurity strategy. The role is responsible for fostering innovation, standardization, risk reduction, and elevating security practices across all areas.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, hire, and develop a diverse team of architects and engineers, cultivating a culture of excellence, collaboration, and belonging.

• Provide visionary leadership in budgeting, planning, and resource optimization to drive innovation and continuous improvement. Build a high‑performing, collaborative team recognized for delivering measurable business value, and establish processes to track and report team outputs to executive stakeholders.

• Optimize team capacity and delivery velocity while fostering an environment of effectiveness and approachability. Maintain robust performance measurement practices and communicate results, ensuring transparency and alignment with organizational goals.

• Set strategic direction for cybersecurity architecture across multiple domains, ensuring alignment with business goals and enterprise strategy. Effectively manage complex projects, multiple stakeholders, and large cross‑product collaborations to drive impactful outcomes.

• Oversee architectural governance, including participation in the Architecture Review Board and enforcement of security standards, reference architectures, and PSPGs (Policies, Standards, Procedures, and Guidelines).

• Implement secure‑by‑design and secure‑by‑default principles across all domains, influencing adoption and guidelines.

• Manage risk‑weighted technical debt registers for each domain, quantifying impact and driving remediation with product leaders.

• Ensure architectural oversight for major initiatives from design through deployment, providing guidance and resolving complex technical challenges.

• Stay updated on the newest technologies, threats, and industry trends, actively crafting and improving the security strategy.

• Promote cross‑domain collaboration, ensuring a cohesive security posture and effective communication across teams.

• Champion compliance with frameworks such as NIST CSF, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS.

• Represent cybersecurity architecture to senior leadership (CISO, CIO, CTO), simplifying complexity and driving measurable business impact.

• Improve security architecture practices by offering mentorship and encouraging ongoing improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 12+ years in information security, with significant experience in security architecture and team leadership.

• Demonstrated success in reducing risk and technical debt while accelerating delivery.

• Ability to research, evaluate, and present new technologies and solutions.

• Experience managing, leading, and mentoring large teams of senior architects and engineers.

• Dedication to building high‑performing, inclusive teams.

• Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, SABSA, TOGAF, or equivalent.

• Proven expertise in multiple cybersecurity domains, including but not limited to:

• Enterprise architecture, solution architecture, and reference architecture

• Digital and Retail Technologies (Mobile App, POS, Kiosk, etc.)

• Core and Restaurant Infrastructure (Cloud, Network, Endpoint, Edge Computing, IoT/OT, etc.)

• Security Services (Identity and access management, vulnerability and patch management, EDR, SIEM, etc.)

• Enterprise Systems (ERP, HRM, SCM, IAM, data security, third‑party risk, etc.)

• AI & Data Analytics (AI/ML security, data privacy, model integrity, governance, etc.)

• Deep knowledge of security frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001) and ability to translate them into enforceable standards and outcomes.

• Outstanding communication, influence, and conflict resolution skills.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.

• Experience working in Agile environments (Scrum, Sprints, JIRA, Confluence).

• Ability to drive process improvements, navigate ambiguity, and deliver results in a fast‑paced, global organization.

Compensation

Bonus Eligible: Yes

Long‑Term Incentive: Yes

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role is $195,371.00 - $244,214.00 per year

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job‑related factors.

Additional Information

Benefits eligible: This position offers health and welfare benefits, a 401(k) plan, adoption assistance program, educational assistance program, flexible ways of working, and time off policies (including sick leave, parental leave, and vacation/PTO). Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment.

Bonus eligible: This position is eligible for a bonus, calculated based on individual and company performance.

Long term Incentive eligible: This position is eligible for stock or other equity grants pursuant to McDonald’s long‑term incentive plan.

McDonald’s is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our workforce. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel‑good moments for everyone. McDonald’s provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis.

McDonald’s provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.