Cyber Defense Principal Engineer

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA seeks a Director, Cyber Defense to define and execute the technical strategy to modernize security platforms. This senior IC leads enterprise detection engineering, architectures, and automation to protect data and systems at scale, with a hybrid work setup and on-call rotation.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Cyber Defense, the role requires 10+ years in cyber defense, hands-on Python/Go coding, and SIEM migrations experience.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in core cyber defense disciplines.
• Strong programming and automation skills in Python/Go.
• Experience leading large-scale SIEM migrations.
• Expertise across modern security technologies (SIEM, SOAR, EDR/XDR, cloud security).
• Hands-on AI/ML and automation for threat detection, investigation workflows, and incident response.
• Advanced detection engineering, including MITRE ATT&CK.
• Experience with insider threat and advanced monitoring programs.
• Strong vulnerability management and risk-based prioritization.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across engineering, infrastructure, legal, compliance, and leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the long-term strategy and technical roadmap for Alnylam’s cyber defense capabilities.
• Architect and scale core security platforms, including SIEM/SOAR, security data pipelines, automation frameworks, and detection infrastructure.
• Lead enterprise detection engineering, delivering analytics and risk-based alerting across cloud, endpoint, identity, network, and SaaS environments.
• Build and integrate a unified cyber defense platform to enhance visibility, automation, and resilience.
• Establish scalable security standards and operating principles across Cyber Defense teams.
• Drive an engineering-first approach to detection and response with automation and AI-enabled workflows.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor to leadership on cyber defense strategy and incident response.

Skills

Python

Go

Security tooling

Automation

MITRE ATT&CK

Threat hunting

AI/ML

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS or related field

Tools

SIEM

SOAR

EDR/XDR

Threat intel platforms

Cloud security tooling

Job description

Overview

Alnylam is pioneering RNAi therapeutics and scaling rapidly across research, development, and global commercialization. The Director, Cyber Defense will play a critical role in designing and advancing our next-generation cyber defense capabilities, shaping how we detect, investigate, and respond to threats at scale. Reporting to the Senior Director, Cyber Defense, this senior individual contributor will define and execute the technical strategy to modernize and future-proof Alnylam’s security platforms. This role will lead the evolution of cyber operations technology, build scalable solutions, and drive enterprise‑wide initiatives that strengthen the security and resilience of our systems and data. This is a hybrid position, primarily based in Cambridge, MA and includes participation in an on‑call rotation, with flexibility to support incident response outside standard business hours, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the long‑term strategy and technical roadmap for Alnylam’s cyber defense capabilities.
• Architect and scale core security platforms, including SIEM/SOAR, security data pipelines, automation frameworks, and detection infrastructure.
• Lead enterprise detection engineering, delivering advanced analytics and risk‑based alerting across cloud, endpoint, identity, network, and SaaS environments.
• Build and integrate a unified cyber defense platform to enhance visibility, automation, and enterprise resilience.
• Establish scalable security standards, architectures, and operating principles across Cyber Defense and enterprise teams.
• Drive an engineering‑first approach to detection and response, leveraging automation, AI‑enabled workflows, and data‑driven decision making.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor to leadership on cyber defense strategy, complex incident response, and enterprise risk.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience across core cyber defense disciplines (e.g., security engineering, detection engineering, threat hunting, incident response, vulnerability management, offensive security)
• Strong programming and automation skills (e.g., Python, Go), with experience building custom security tooling, integrations, and detections
• Proven experience leading large‑scale SIEM migrations or enterprise security platform transformations
• Deep expertise across modern security technologies (e.g., SIEM, SOAR, EDR/XDR, threat intelligence platforms, cloud security, and security data platforms)
• Hands‑on experience applying AI/ML and automation to improve threat detection, investigation workflows, and incident response
• Advanced detection engineering capabilities, including behavioural analytics, threat hunting, and frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK
• Experience designing or supporting insider threat and advanced monitoring programs
• Strong knowledge of vulnerability management, exposure reduction, and risk‑based prioritization
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to partner across engineering, infrastructure, legal, compliance, and business leadership teams
• Experience operating in complex, global enterprise environments

About Alnylam

We are the leader in RNAi therapeutics– a revolutionaryapproach with the potential to transform the lives of people with rare and common diseases. Built on Nobel Prize‑winning science, Alnylam has delivered the breakthroughs that made RNAi therapeutics possibleand are just at the beginning of what’s possible. Our deep pipeline, late‑stage programs, and bold vision reflect our core values: fierce innovation, passion for excellence, purposeful urgency, open culture and commitment to people. We're proud to be a globally recognized top employer, wherean authentic, inclusive culture and breakthrough thinkingfuel one another.

At Alnylam, we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, pregnancy status or related conditions, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital or familial status, political affiliation, age, or any other factor protected by federal, state, or local law. Alnylam is an E‑Verify Employer.

Before applying, please review Alnylam's Candidate Privacy Notice regarding how Alnylam handles Personal Data you provide with your application for employment.

The pay range below reflects the full‑time base salary range we expect to pay for this role at the time of posting. Base pay will be determined based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, and education. This role is eligible for an annual short‑term incentive award (e.g., bonus or sales incentive) and an annual long‑term incentive award (e.g., equity).

Alnylam’s robust Total Rewards package is designed to support your overall health and well‑being. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, a lifestyle reimbursement program, flexible spending and health savings accounts and a 401(k)with a generous company match. Eligible employees enjoy paid time off, wellness days, holidays, and two company‑wide recharge breaks. We also offer generous family resources and leave. Our commitment to your well‑being reflects our belief that caring for our people fuels the impact we create together.

Learn more about these and additional benefits offered by Alnylam by visiting the Benefits section of the Careers website: https://www.alnylam.com/careers

U.S. Pay Range

$199,800 - $270,300 USD