Senior Microsoft Defender Security Lead — Hybrid (Federal)

Essnova Solutions, Inc.; Bethesda (MD); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Essnova Solutions, Inc. is hiring a Microsoft Defender Security Lead to drive enterprise endpoint-security delivery for NIH. You will oversee MDE/MDAV implementation, governance, and reporting across ~55,000 endpoints and 15,000+ servers.

The role requires 8+ years in endpoint security, hands-on Defender experience, and strong governance skills in a large, regulated environment. This is a full-time, hybrid role contingent on contract award.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, CS, Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in endpoint security and/or cybersecurity engineering.
• 5+ years hands-on experience implementing or operating Defender technologies.
• Experience with MDE, MDAV, EDR, endpoint/server onboarding, and ASR.
• Ability to support large-scale, regulated environments (federal preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation, sustainment, optimization, governance, and reporting for MDE/MDAV.
• Oversee Cylance-to-Defender Antivirus migration and track endpoint populations.
• Govern approved ASR, Tamper Protection, device control, and Defender policies.
• Monitor MDE coverage, MDAV updates, policy posture, and exceptions.
• Coordinate with NIH SOC and security stakeholders on governance.

Skills

8+ years in endpoint security

5+ years hands-on Defender

MDE / MDAV expertise

EDR and policy governance

Threat and vulnerability management

Education

Bachelor's in Cybersecurity/CS/Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Endpoint security tooling

Job description

Essnova Solutions, Inc. is hiring a Microsoft Defender Security Lead to drive enterprise endpoint-security delivery for NIH. You will oversee MDE/MDAV implementation, governance, and reporting across ~55,000 endpoints and 15,000+ servers.

The role requires 8+ years in endpoint security, hands-on Defender experience, and strong governance skills in a large, regulated environment. This is a full-time, hybrid role contingent on contract award.