M&A Security Engineer

Cognizant; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

401(k) plan and contributions

Paid holidays and PTO

Discretionary annual incentive program

Job summary

Cognizant is hiring a Security Engineer, Business Systems Manager, to lead information security initiatives during enterprise integration projects. You will partner with Corporate Security teams, manage endpoint and identity security, and monitor incidents across Microsoft Defender tools.

The role emphasizes collaboration, architecture alignment, and proven risk management across global teams. The position is hybrid with East Coast preference, offering competitive salary and Cognizant benefits.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of progressive information security experience across application, infrastructure, IAM, vulnerability, cyber threat, risk management or security architecture.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience implementing and maintaining IT and security controls across complex networks, systems, applications, and infrastructure.
• Proficiency in endpoint security and management, identity management, MFA, and SIEM technologies.
• Experience monitoring and tuning core security controls.
• Knowledge of information risk management frameworks, data-protection guidelines, standards, and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen security posture of acquired entities by supporting security insertion and integration activities.
• Manage endpoint and identity security, including access reviews and multifactor enrollment.
• Monitor and remediate incidents and workstation vulnerabilities using Microsoft 365 Defender, Defender for Endpoint, and Sentinel.
• Administer endpoint security and management technologies (Intune, Mosyle, JAMF).
• Assess controls, recommend infrastructure improvements, develop progress reports, and communicate security concerns to team leads.
• Review user and administrative access regularly and remove unnecessary permissions.
• Examine phishing simulations and implement protections against malicious domains.
• Assist with implementing system security configurations and monitor software currency across OSs and apps.

Skills

Information security

Endpoint security

Identity management

Vulnerability management

Security architecture

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft 365 Defender

Microsoft Sentinel

Microsoft Intune

Mosyle

JAMF

Job description

About Cognizant Corporate

Cognizant Corporate is a global community united by a shared purpose: to make a meaningful impact. We are committed to excellence and driven by outcomes that matter. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, and our forward-thinking mindset fuels continuous learning, innovation, and growth.

At Cognizant, careers transcend titles. We empower our people to think strategically, inspire others, and lead with purpose, always guided by our core values.

About the role

As a Security Engineer, Business Systems Manager, you will lead information security initiatives related to the engineering and maintenance of enterprise security solutions, systems, and applications for newly acquired companies. You will be a key member of the M&A Security Insertion and Integration Team, collaborating with Corporate Development, Information Risk Management, Security Architecture, acquired entities, Corporate Security management, and Cognizant Information Technology teams.

You will serve as a liaison between acquired companies, corporate delivery teams, and Corporate Security management. You will help ensure adherence to Cognizant’s information security policies, procedures, baselines, and guidelines while supporting the security tools, policies, and computing environments operated by infrastructure resources.

In this role, you will:

• Strengthen the security posture of acquired entities by supporting security insertion and integration activities.
• Manage endpoint and identity security, including access reviews, authentication support, multifactor authentication enrollment, workstation compliance, security updates, and vulnerability remediation.
• Monitor and remediate security incidents and workstation vulnerabilities using Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and Microsoft Sentinel.
• Administer endpoint security and management technologies, including Microsoft Intune, Mosyle, JAMF, and related tools.
• Assess security controls and configurations, recommend infrastructure improvements, develop progress reports, and communicate security concerns and events to the M&A Security Insertion and Integration Team lead and acquired entity security leadership.
• Review user and administrative access periodically and remove permissions that are no longer necessary.
• Examine simulated and realistic phishing emails and implement protections against malicious domains.
• Assist with the implementation of system security configurations.
• Monitor software currency across operating systems, browsers, and other workstation applications.
• Embrace Cognizant’s culture by striving for excellence, focusing on meaningful outcomes, collaborating effectively, prioritizing quality, taking ownership, and committing to continuous learning.

What you must have to be considered

• Three to five years of progressive information security experience across areas such as application security, infrastructure security, identity and access management, vulnerability management, cyber threat management, security architecture, or information technology risk management.
• A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience implementing and maintaining information technology and security controls across complex networks, systems, applications, and infrastructure.
• Proficiency in endpoint security and management, identity management, multifactor authentication, and security information and event management technologies.
• Experience monitoring, managing, and tuning core security controls.
• Knowledge of information risk management frameworks, regulations, data-protection guidelines, security standards, and industry best practices.
• Ability to understand, build, and document complex information security designs provided by architecture teams and apply confidentiality, integrity, and availability principles.
• Ability to incorporate security designs and technologies into new and legacy environments, including environments undergoing technology transitions or upgrades.
• Broad knowledge of IT systems, networking and security components, applications, operating systems, and risk-mitigation controls.
• Technical aptitude, critical‑thinking skills, and the ability to identify security risks, resolve complex problems, and recommend appropriate controls.
• Ability to communicate technical risks clearly to IT business leaders and senior management.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, time‑management, and multitasking skills.
• Experience working with global teams across time zones, cultures, and languages.
• Proficiency with word‑processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
• A strong sense of ownership, a desire to create meaningful outcomes, and embodiment of Cognizant’s values: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do the Right Thing, and Own It.

These will help you succeed

• CISSP, CISM, or another relevant, industry‑recognized information security certification.
• A graduate degree in Computer Science, Engineering, information security, or a related field.
• Experience with Microsoft Intune, Mosyle, JAMF, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Microsoft 365 Defender, or Microsoft Sentinel.
• Knowledge of controls such as web application firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and application allowlisting.
• A resourceful, analytical, detail‑oriented approach and the ability to adapt based on feedback.

Work model - East Coast Preferred

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week in our Cognizant office. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you are engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured, we will always be clear about role expectations.

Salary and Other Compensation:

Applications will be accepted until October 21, 2026.

The annual salary for this position is between $105,000 - $115,000, depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long‑term/Short‑term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.