Cyber Defense Engineer

Accenture; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

Accenture Federal Services seeks a Principal Cyber Defense Engineer to lead hands-on cybersecurity initiatives for federal clients. You will drive design, implementation, and operational excellence across defense, national security, and civilian programs.

The role emphasizes incident response, threat hunting, and strategic guidance, with extensive collaboration across cross-functional teams. A Secret clearance and strong scripting ability are required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a cybersecurity role with hands-on technical work.
• Experience in managing technical teams.
• Hands-on design and engineering with multiple cybersecurity tools and technologies (firewall configuration, IDS/IPS, endpoint protection, SIEM, SOAR, etc.).
• Proficiency in scripting and automation using languages such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash.
• Active Secret Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and management of advanced cybersecurity systems.
• Perform hands-on technical work including system configuration, integration, and optimization.
• Engage in incident response activities including threat hunting, forensic analysis, and remediation.
• Develop and implement cybersecurity strategies and initiatives to enhance security.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify risks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deploy customized cybersecurity solutions.
• Stay updated on trends and apply knowledge to improve security posture.
• Provide cybersecurity guidance on best practices, policies, and frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant federal regulations and standards.
• Prepare and present technical reports and analyses to stakeholders.

Skills

Hands-on security

Team leadership

Incident response

Threat hunting

Scripting (Python/PowerShell/Bash)

Vulnerability assessment

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity/IT

Advanced degree preferred

Certifications: CISSP

Certifications: CISM

Certifications: OSCP

Tools

Firewall configuration

IDS/IPS

Endpoint protection

SIEM

SOAR

Job description

At Accenture Federal Services, nothing matters more than helping the US federal government make the nation stronger and safer and life better for people. Our 13,000+ people are united in a shared purpose to pursue the limitless potential of technology and ingenuity for clients across defense, national security, public safety, civilian, and military health organizations.

Join Accenture Federal Services, a technology company within global Accenture. Recognized as a Glassdoor Top 100 Best Place to Work, we offer a collaborative and caring community where you feel like you belong and are empowered to grow, learn and thrive through hands‑on experience, certifications, industry training and more.

Join us to drive positive, lasting change that moves missions and the government forward!

Overview

AFS is seeking a highly skilled and hands‑on Principal Cyber Defense Engineer to join our team. This role will focus on leading technical efforts in cybersecurity, working closely with federal law enforcement clients to ensure their cybersecurity systems are robust and effective. We are growing in this space and are looking for technical leaders to drive this work forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and management of advanced cybersecurity systems.

• Perform hands‑on technical work, including system configuration, integration, and optimization.

• Engage in incident response activities, including threat hunting, forensic analysis, and remediation efforts.

• Develop and implement cybersecurity strategies and initiatives to enhance system security.

• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and mitigate security risks.

• Collaborate with cross‑functional technical teams to develop and deploy customized cybersecurity solutions.

• Stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and technologies, and apply this knowledge to improve security posture.

• Provide technical expertise and guidance on cybersecurity best practices, policies, and frameworks.

• Ensure compliance with relevant federal regulations and standards.

• Prepare and present technical reports, documentation, and analysis to internal stakeholders and clients.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a cybersecurity role, with a strong focus on hands‑on technical work.

• Experience in managing technical teams

• Hands‑on design and engineering experience with three or more cybersecurity tools and technologies such as (but not limited to): firewall security configuration and best practices, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), endpoint protection, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR), network security monitoring, Network micro‑segmentation, Secure Access Service Edge(SASE), Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP)

• Proficiency in scripting and automation using languages such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash.

• Hands‑on experience with forensic tools and techniques for incident response and investigation.

• Active Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.

• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, SANS Defensive Certifications, CISM, OSCP, or equivalent.

As required by local law, Accenture Federal Services provides reasonable ranges of compensation for hired roles based on labor costs in the states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia, and the city of Cleveland . The base pay range for this position in these locations is shown below. Compensation for roles at Accenture Federal Services varies depending on a wide array of factors, including but not limited to office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. Accenture Federal Services offers a wide variety of benefits. You can find more information on benefits here. (https://www.accenture.com/us-en/careers/your-future-rewards-benefits) We accept applications on an on‑going basis and there is no fixed deadline to apply.

The pay range for the states of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia and the city of Cleveland is:

$84,900—$221,100 USD

What We Believe

As a company wholly dedicated to serving the US federal government, we bring together the best talent to help reinvent how federal agencies operate and deliver greater value for their mission and the American people. We have an unwavering commitment to creating a culture in which all our people are respected, feel a sense of belonging, and have equal opportunity. As a business imperative, every person at Accenture Federal Services has the responsibility to create and sustain a culture where everyone feels welcomed and included. This is grounded in our core values and our experience that hiring and developing great people who reflect different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds is key to driving innovation and delivering the results that our clients and the country count on.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law. Our rich diversity makes us more innovative, more competitive, and more creative, which helps us better serve our clients and our communities. For details, view a copy of theAccenture Federal Services Equal Opportunity Policy Statement. (https://afscommunities.force.com/careers/s/equal-opportunity-annual-policy)

Accenture Federal Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Additionally, as an affirmative Action Employer for Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, Accenture Federal Services is committed to providing veteran employment opportunities to our service men and women.

Requesting An Accommodation

Accenture Federal Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for persons with disabilities or religious observances, including reasonable accommodation when needed. If you are hired by Accenture Federal Services and require accommodation to perform the essential functions of your role, you will be asked to participate in our reasonable accommodation process. Accommodations made to facilitate the recruiting process are not a guarantee of future or continued accommodations once hired.

If you are being considered for employment opportunities with Accenture Federal Services and need an accommodation for a disability or religious observance during the interview process or for the job you are interviewing for, please speak with your recruiter.

Other Employment Statements

Applicants for employment in the US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.

Candidates who are currently employed by a client of Accenture Federal Services or an affiliated Accenture business may not be eligible for consideration.

Job candidates will not be obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest as part of the hiring process.

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Additionally, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the Company's legal duty to furnish information.

California requires additional notifications for applicants and employees. If you are a California resident, live in or plan to work from Los Angeles County upon being hired for this position, please click here (https://www.accenture.com/us-en/careers/life-at-accenture/e-verify-legal-notices) for additional important information.