Cybersecurity Systems Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University; State College (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Penn State IT Information Security seeks a Cyber Security Systems Engineer to design, implement, secure, monitor, and maintain security infrastructure across networks, endpoints, servers, cloud, applications, and identities.

Collaborate with infrastructure, networking, cloud, and compliance teams to strengthen security posture, develop detections, and support regulatory requirements. Strong OS, network, and cloud knowledge required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Information Security, Risk Management, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field.
• Experience evaluating, implementing, and maintaining cybersecurity detection and prevention methodologies.
• Experience developing and maintaining SIEM content (dashboards, searches, queries, alerts).
• Experience investigating Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) to identify threats.
• Experience investigating and responding to complex security alerts and threat activity.
• Experience with security monitoring, incident response, threat detection, and analysis using SIEM/EDR.

Responsibilities

• Review, investigate, and respond to complex alerts and threat activity related to compromised devices.
• Correlate data across endpoints, networks, and logs to scope an attack.
• Create dashboards and saved searches related to compromised device activity.
• Design and implement detection/prevention methods to minimize false positives.
• Investigate IOCs to ensure they are not present in the environment.
• Assist with forensic preservation of digital evidence and maintain security documentation.
• Assess effectiveness of security controls and stay updated on trends and best practices.
• Assist in developing organizational security policies, standards, processes, and guidelines.

Skills

SIEM content

IOC investigation

Threat detection

Incident response

Security monitoring

EDR

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Security, Risk Management, IT, Cybersecurity, or related field

Tools

SIEM

EDR

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Penn State IT Information Security team is seeking a Cyber Security Systems Engineer who will be responsible for designing, implementing, securing, monitoring, and maintaining an organization's information systems and security infrastructure. This role works across networks, endpoints, servers, cloud environments, applications, and identity platforms to protect sensitive data and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems.

This role will collaborate with infrastructure, networking, application development, cloud, and compliance teams to implement security controls, improve system resilience, support regulatory requirements, and strengthen the organization's overall security posture.

SUCCESS IN THE ROLE

Success in this role requires a strong understanding of operating systems, networks, applications, databases, cloud services, virtualization, and automation, along with meticulous investigative, analytical, documentation, and problem-solving skills.

The ideal candidate will have hands‑on cybersecurity experience and be prepared to quickly step into the role, independently apply their technical knowledge, and contribute to ongoing security operations and initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary Job Duties:

• Review, investigate, and respond to complex alerts and threat activity related to compromised devices as well as alerts escalated from Tier 1
• Correlate data across endpoints, networks, and logs to scope an attack
• Create dashboards, saved searches, and other SIEM content related to compromised device activity
• Design, evaluate, implement, and maintain detection and prevention methodologies in response to current threats and minimize false positives to improve alert fidelity
• Investigate received Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) from various agencies to ensure they are not present in the environment

Additional Job Duties:

• Assist with the forensic preservation of digital evidence, including hard drives
• Maintain accurate security documentation and update it as needed
• Assess and monitor the effectiveness of security controls
• Keep up to date on cybersecurity trends and industry best practices
• Assist in developing and revising organizational security policies, standards, processes, and guidelines
  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Information Security, Risk Management, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or related field or discipline
• Experience evaluating, implementing, and maintaining cybersecurity detection and prevention methodologies to address evolving threats and reduce false positives
• Experience developing and maintaining SIEM content, including dashboards, saved searches, queries, and alerts related to compromised devices and suspicious activity
• Experience investigating Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) from internal and external sources to identify potential threats within an organization's environment
• Experience investigating and responding to complex security alerts and threat activity
• Experience with security monitoring, incident response, threat detection, and analysis using SIEM, EDR, or other cybersecurity tools

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Required Certifications:None

PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS

These certifications are preferred but not required:

• CISSP
• CISM
• CompTIA Sec+
• CompTIA CySA+

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $72,300.00 - $108,444.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.