Cybersecurity Engineer - US Federal

Workday, Inc.; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus plan

Stock grants

Flexible work arrangement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

Workday, Inc. is seeking a Cybersecurity Engineer to join the Cyber Defense team supporting U.S. Federal Government contracts in a new air-gapped cloud environment in Reston, VA.

You will handle vulnerability management, incident response, threat hunting, and threat detection, collaborating with customers and internal teams to enforce security across environments. The role requires a TS/SCI with CI polygraph clearance, 5+ years in security operations and 2+ years of technical leadership, plus

Qualifications

• This position requires a TS/SCI with CI polygraph security clearance.
• Applicants must already possess a valid and active TS/SCI with CI polygraph security clearance.
• 5+ years of experience in technical security consultancy, security operations, response, vulnerability management, threat detection, or threat hunting.
• 2+ years of hands-on technical leadership experience.
• Experience deploying, monitoring, and managing systems in the AWS or Microsoft Top Secret clouds.
• BS or MS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent job experience.

Responsibilities

• Build out the Cyber Defense team, technology, and processes to support cybersecurity in the air-gapped cloud environment.
• Serve as the Cyber Defense presence in the air-gapped network and coordinate with customers and global teams.
• Lead and participate in vulnerability management, incident response, threat hunting, and threat detection activities.

Skills

Security operations

Threat detection

Threat hunting

Vulnerability management

Technical leadership

Cloud security

Security consultancy

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

SIEM

SOAR

Job description

Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team

At Workday, we help the world’s largest organizations adapt to what’s next by bringing finance, HR, and planning into a single enterprise cloud. We work hard, and we’re serious about what we do. But we like to have fun, too. We put people first, celebrate diversity, drive innovation, and do good in the communities where we live and work. Workday’s Cyber Defense team helps protect an ever-growing technology, global footprint. We are responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to threats to the company and keeping the trust of our customers. Functions like Security Response, Threat Intelligence, Detection Engineering, Secure Code Development and many others make up the fabric of who we are and what we do daily around the world. The National Security Group leads all cyber defense, personnel security, and security compliance functions for Defense and Intelligence Community Workday customer environments.

About the Role

This role will support one or more direct or indirect contracts with the U.S. Federal Government which, due to federal government security requirements, mandates that all Workday personnel working on the contracts be United States citizens (naturalized or native). Workday is expanding into the US Government air-gapped classified cloud environment. We are looking for a Cybersecurity Engineer to help build out the team, technology, and processes to support cybersecurity in this new environment. You will be our Cyber Defense presence in the air-gapped network and will be part of a team responsible for all cybersecurity functions such as vulnerability management, incident response, threat hunting, and threat detection. You will work closely with the customers and with our Cyber Defense teams to ensure consistency across environments and develop best practices in this exciting environment.

About You Basic Qualifications

• This position requires a TS/SCI with CI polygraph security clearance.
• Applicants must already possess a valid and active TS/SCI with CI polygraph security clearance.
• 5+ years of experience in technical security consultancy, security operations, response, vulnerability management, threat detection, or threat hunting.
• 2+ years of hands‑on technical leadership experience.
• Experience deploying, monitoring, and managing systems in the AWS or Microsoft Top Secret clouds.
• BS or MS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent job experience.

Other Qualifications

• Strong understanding of platform, application, and cloud security fundamentals.
• Familiarity with containerized applications and their security considerations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of adversary TTPs (Tactics, Techniques and Procedures).
• Deep understanding of network and application security threats, attack techniques, and mitigation options.
• Experience managing vulnerability scans and effectively prioritizing actions for system owners.
• Experience building and maintaining investigation and/or response tools.
• Experience with SIEM and SOAR security technologies and solutions.
• Experience with hunting techniques.
• Able to work independently and coordinate activities across multiple teams.
• Ability to drive multiple projects and priorities while managing operational responsibilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, building positive relationships with partner organizations.

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role‑specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. Primary Location: USA.VA.Reston Primary Location Base Pay Range: $130,200 USD - $195,400 USD Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $117,800 USD - $210,000 USD

Our Approach to Flexible Work

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Workday is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals during our application process, in order to perform one or more essential functions of their job, as well as regarding the use of AI tools for employment decision-making to any degree. Please see below for more details including how to request an accommodation as a qualified veteran, due to a disability or for religious reasons, or as otherwise provided under applicable law. Workday prohibits taking adverse action against any candidate or employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, requesting one or more work accommodations, exercising a privacy right, or cooperating in an investigation in accordance with applicable law. Any employee who retaliates against a candidate or employee for doing so may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation, you may email [e-mail], as far in advance as possible.

Read more below to learn more on our stance on being a proud equal opportunity workplace, pay transparency and accommodation support.

Workday is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Workday are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Further, pursuant to applicable local ordinances, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us.

You may view the Workday's Pay Transparency Policy, and Know Your Rights Notice, by clicking on their corresponding links.

Workday is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals during our application process, in order to perform one or more essential functions of their job, as well as regarding the use of AI tools for employment decision-making to any degree. Please see below for more details including how to request an accommodation as a qualified veteran, due to a disability or for religious reasons, or as otherwise provided under applicable law. Workday prohibits taking adverse action against any candidate or employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, requesting one or more work accommodations, exercising a privacy right, or cooperating in an investigation in accordance with applicable law. Any employee who retaliates against a candidate or employee for doing so may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation, you may email [e-mail], as far in advance as possible.