Principal Incident Response Analyst - 90397446

Amtrak; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellbeing

Financial and Retirement

Work and Family Life Support

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K with Employer Match

Generous PTO

Wellness Programs

Railroad Retirement Benefits

Paid Caregiving Days

Health Savings Account

Student Loan Assistance

Tuition and Education Reimbursement

Paid Family Leave

Life Insurance

Rail Pass Privileges

Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Commuter Benefits

Job summary

Amtrak seeks a Principal Cyber Threat Incident Response Analyst to join the Cyber Fusion Center. You will coordinate and execute incident response activities across the organization, lead complex investigations, and ensure timely resolution of cybersecurity incidents with IT, OT, and cross-functional teams.

You will develop playbooks and runbooks, participate in exercises, and work closely with information security leadership and business stakeholders to reduce risk and protect critical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or related technical field, or equivalent combination of education, training and/or 7–10 years relevant experience.
• Basic knowledge of privacy, data protection, and compliance requirements related to incident response and breach notification preferred.
• Hands-on experience with forensics tools and log correlation; ability to think like an attacker and hunt within security tool stack.

Responsibilities

• Provide industry-leading cyber incident response supporting the Cyber Fusion Center mission.
• Resolve security incidents quickly, effectively and at scale with complete incident response including investigation, containment and remediation.
• Conduct digital forensic and incident response analysis with support from threat hunting and malware triage analysts.
• Build scripts, tools, or methodologies to enhance Amtrak’s incident investigation processes.
• Support Crisis Management, Emergency Management, Incident Response, Legal and OIG teams to coordinate Cyber Incident Response Activities.

Skills

Bachelor’s Degree in CS/IS/Cybersec

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity or related field

Job description

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Date: Sep 15, 2026

Location: US

Company: Amtrak

Your success is a train ride away!

As we move America’s workforce toward the future, Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority, and the success of our railroad is due to our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Our values of ‘Do the Right Thing, Excel Together and Put Customers First’ are at the heart of what matters most to us, and our Core Capabilities, ‘Building Trust, Accountability, Effective Communication, Customer Focus, and Proactive Safety & Security’ are what every employee needs to know and do to be most impactful at Amtrak. By living the Amtrak values, focusing on our capabilities, and actively embracing and fostering diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspectives, together we will honor our past and make Amtrak a company of the future.

ThePrincipal Cyber Threat Incident Response Analystwill play a critical role within the Amtrak Cyber Fusion Center. In this role, you will support a digital forensic cyber incident response team to effectively respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents. You will serve as a subject matter expert responsible for coordinating and executing incident response activities across the organization, lead complex investigations involving suspected and confirmed cybersecurity incidents, execute the cyber incident response plan, response playbooks, and partner closely with information security leadership, business stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to ensure timely resolution of security incidents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• As a Principal Cyber Threat Incident Response Analyst, you will provide industry-leading cyber incident response supporting the Cyber Fusion Center mission to effectively detect and respond to threats and reduce the overall impact of business risk before, during, and after an incident
• You will be able to resolve security incidents quickly, effectively and at scale with complete incident response including investigation, containment to support effective remediation, and crisis management
• In this role, you will technically navigate critical and high-profile incidents, performing digital forensic and incident response analysis with support from threat hunting, and malware triage analysts
• Support Amtrak-wide cyber incident response engagements, examine cloud, endpoint, and network-based sources of evidence
• Recognize and codify attacker Tools, Tactics, and Procedures (TTPs) and Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) that can be applied to current and future investigations
• Conduct both IT and OT Network analysis and forensics
• Conduct Malware and Malicious Code Reverse Engineering, Malware Analysis, Memory Analysis, Fileless Malware Analysis and Nation state actor malware investigations
• Build scripts, tools, or methodologies to enhance Amtrak’s incident investigation processes
• Conduct host forensics, network forensics, log analysis, and malware triage in support of incident response investigations
• Support Cyber Incident Exercises, Tabletops, and Cyber Incident Management Response Team with business leaders, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
• Support Crisis Management, Emergency Management, Incident Response, Legal and OIG teams to conduct and coordinate on Cyber Incident Response Activities.
• Regularly participate in tabletop exercises designed to identify gaps, improve skills, enhance communication, and engage with stakeholders.
• Review technical reports from vulnerability and penetration testing assessments, as well as results from tabletop exercise to identify potential future incidents.
• Develop, refine, recommend, and maintain playbooks, policies, and procedures to ensure alignment to industry best practices

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or related technical field; or equivalent combination of education, training and/or 7-10 years relevant experience is required.
• Basic knowledge of privacy, data protection, and compliance requirements related to incident response and breach notification, including PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, and other applicable regulatory frameworks is preferred.
• Experience in one or a combination of the following areas can be used to satisfy education and experience requirements:
• Vulnerability Management
• Malware and Malicious Code Reverse Engineering
• Malware Analysis
• Memory Analysis
• Fileless Malware Analysis
• Nation state actor malware investigationsNetwork or Cloud Security
• Penetration Testing
• One incident response centric certification
• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• GIAC Response and Industrial Defense (GRID)
• GIAC Battlefield Forensics and Acquisition (GBFA)
• GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE)GIAC Advanced Smartphone Forensics
• GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)
• GIAC Network Forensic Analyst (GNFA)
• GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM)
• eLearnSecurity Incident Handling & Response Professional (IHRP)
• SEI Computer Security Incident Handler (CSIH)
• In depth understanding of threats, vulnerabilities and principals of incident response and chain of custody.
• Hands on experience with forensics tools and log correlation.
• Ability to think like an attacker and hunt within the security tool stack.
• Ability to incorporate the MITRE ATT&CK Framework in everyday processes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity or equivalent technical field plus 10+ years of relevant work experience.
• Knowledge of privacy, data protection, and breach notification regulations and standards, including PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, and/or similar regulatory frameworks.
• Two or more incident response centric certifications
• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• GIAC Response and Industrial Defense (GRID)
• GIAC Battlefield Forensics and Acquisition (GBFA)
• GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE)
• GIAC Advanced Smartphone Forensics
• GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)
• GIAC Network Forensic Analyst (GNFA)
• GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM)
• eLearnSecurity Incident Handling & Response Professional (IHRP)
• SEI Computer Security Incident Handler (CSIH)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills to facilitate communication across all levels of the organization.
• In depth understanding of threats, vulnerabilities and principals of incident response and chain of custody.
• Hands on experience with forensics tools and log correlation.
• Must possess excellent customer service, strong communication and interpersonal skills, work well with others in an integrated team environment, and must be self-motivated.
• Must possess a high degree of integrity and trustworthiness.
• Must have a deep understanding of computer intrusion activities, incident response techniques, tools, and procedures.
• Ability to think like an attacker and hunt within the security tool stack.
• Advanced proficiency with analysis and characterization of cyber0attacks (Kill Chain, MITRE ATT&CK)
• Ability to incorporate the MITRE ATT&CK Framework in everyday processes.

The salary/hourly range is $124,600.00 – $161,352.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

• Health and Wellbeing Financial and Retirement Work and Family Life Support
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 401K with Employer Match Generous Paid Time Off
• Wellness Programs Railroad Retirement Benefits Paid Caregiving Days and Backup Care
• Health Savings Account Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Fertility and Family Building Benefits
• No-cost Personal Health Advocate Student Loan Assistance Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance
• Medical Plan Opt-out Credit Tuition and Education Reimbursement Paid Family Leave
• Life Insurance Rail Pass Privileges
• Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance Employee Assistance Program
• No-cost Financial Advisor Sessions Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts

Learn more about our benefits offerings here.

Requisition ID: 167030

Work Arrangement: 02-Remote Optional Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered: No
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

You power our progress through your performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job. We want your career at Amtrak to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging work, rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, and attractive compensation. Amtrak maintains a culture that values high performance and recognizes individual employee contributions.

Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol. All Amtrak positions requires a pre-employment background check that includes prior employment verification, a criminal history check and a pre-employment drug screen.

Candidates who test positive for marijuana will be disqualified, regardless of any state or local statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Amtrak's pre-employment drug testing program is administered in accordance with DOT regulations and applicable law.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR § 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

In accordance with federal law governing security checks of covered individuals for providers of public transportation (Title 6 U.S.C. §1143), Amtrak is required to screen applicants for any permanent or interim disqualifying criminal offenses.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/color, to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions, such as lactation), national origin/ethnicity, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.