Cyber Defense Principal Engineer

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Cambridge, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is seeking a Director of Cyber Defense to design and evolve our security platform, enabling scalable threat detection, investigation, and response across the organization.

You will architect modern cyber operations technologies, drive enterprise-wide initiatives, and lead engineering-driven improvements in detection and automation. The role is hybrid, based primarily in Cambridge, MA, with an on-call rotation to support incident response outside standard hours.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in core cyber defense disciplines.
• Strong programming and automation skills (Python, Go).
• Lead large-scale security platform transformations (SIEM migrations).
• Expertise in SIEM, SOAR, EDR/XDR, cloud security and data platforms.
• Hands-on AI/ML and automation for threat detection and response.
• MITRE ATT&CK and behavioral analytics expertise.
• Experience with insider threat and monitoring programs.
• Vulnerability management and risk-based prioritization.
• Excellent cross-functional communication with leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Define long-term strategy and roadmap for cyber defense capabilities.
• Architect and scale core security platforms and detection infrastructure.
• Lead enterprise detection engineering across cloud, endpoint, identity, network, and SaaS.
• Build a unified cyber defense platform for visibility and automation.
• Establish scalable security standards across Cyber Defense and enterprise teams.
• Drive engineering-first approaches to detection and response with AI-enabled workflows.
• Advise leadership on cyber defense strategy, incidents, and risk.

Skills

Security architecture

Python

Go

Detection engineering

Threat hunting

Incident response

Tools

SIEM

SOAR

EDR/XDR

Cloud security

Security data platforms

Job description

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 ahybridposition, primarily based inCambridge, MAand 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 behavioral 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.

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.

State Specific Applicant Notices

• Arizona Applicants: To the extent required by applicable law, the Company maintains a smoke-free workplace.
• Maryland Applicants:
  • UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT AN INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A LIE DETECTOR OR SIMILAR TEST. AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100.
  • The Company considers this Application for Employment to be a part of the personnel record.
• Massachusetts (MA) Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability
• Rhode Island (RI) Applicants: The Company is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, and is therefore covered by the state's workers' compensation law.