Senior Threat Analyst

Sophos; United States; Remote; USD 61,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote‑first working model

Diversity and inclusion networks

Volunteer days and community programs

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Sophos is seeking a Senior Threat Analyst – Tier I to join our 24x7 MDR team. You will monitor, detect, and respond to threats across customer environments using Sophos tools, mentor Tier I staff, and contribute to incident response, threat hunting, and playbook improvements.

Must thrive in a fast‑paced security operations setting. The role requires 5+ years in SOC/MDR or cybersecurity roles, deep knowledge of EDR/IDS, and strong Windows/Linux telemetry analysis.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a SOC/MDR or cybersecurity‑focused IT role.
• Proficient with endpoint and network security tools.
• Experience parsing Windows event logs and telemetry data.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP and network traffic analysis.
• Experience with real‑time incident response and threat investigations.
• Familiar with MITRE ATT&CK framework and threat hunting.
• Experience handling active threats including containment and recovery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, investigate, and respond to alerts from the Sophos stack (EDR/XDR).
• Lead Tier I Analysts through escalated cases and ensure thorough investigations.
• Perform end‑to‑end analysis on suspicious activity to assess scope and risk.
• Identify and respond to threats across customer environments using playbooks.
• Document findings and outcomes in the MDR case management system.
• Conduct threat hunting across the MDR customer base.
• Investigate phishing, suspicious binaries, and behavioral anomalies.
• Support tuning by reducing false positives and improving tooling.
• Stay informed on MITRE ATT&CK techniques and Sophos threat research.
• Proactively research IOCs and active exploits to stay ahead.

Skills

SOC experience

Threat hunting

Incident response

Endpoint security

Windows event log analysis

IT security fundamentals

Networking concepts

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in IT/CS/Cybersecurity

Tools

EDR

IDS/IPS

Malware detection platforms

SIEM platforms

OSQuery

Job description

About Us

Sophos is a cybersecurity leader defending 600,000 organizations globally with an AI-driven platform and expert-led services. Sophos meets organizations wherever they are in their security maturity and grows with them to defeat cyberattacks. Its solutions combine machine learning, automation, and real-time threat intelligence with frontline human expertise from Sophos X-Ops to deliver advanced, 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response.

Sophos offers industry-leading managed detection and response (MDR) alongside a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity technologies — including endpoint, network, email, and cloud security, extended detection and response (XDR), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and next-gen SIEM. Together with expert advisory services, these capabilities help organizations proactively reduce risk and respond faster, with the visibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Sophos goes to market with a global partner ecosystem, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), resellers and distributors, marketplace integrations, and cyber risk partners, giving organizations the flexibility to choose trusted relationships when securing their business. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

Role Summary

As a Senior Threat Analyst – Tier I on our Managed Detection and Response (MDR) team, you will provide best-in‑class monitoring, detection, and response services to proactively defend customer environments before attacks prevail. You will work alongside and contribute to a team of cyber threat hunters, incident response analysts, engineers, and ethical hackers by using enterprise, log analysis and endpoint collection systems to facilitate investigations, identification, and neutralization of cyber threats.

What You Will Do

• Monitor, investigate, and respond to alerts generated by the Sophos security stack (including EDR/XDR capabilities)
• Lead and mentor Tier I Analysts through escalated cases, ensuring thorough and accurate investigation practices.
• Perform end‑to‑end analysis on suspicious activity to assess scope, impact, and risk
• Identify and respond to cyber threats across customer environments using approved playbooks and tooling
• Accurately document findings, investigative steps, and outcomes in the MDR case management platform
• Conduct threat hunting to identify potential threats throughout the MDR customer base
• Investigate phishing emails, suspicious binaries, and behavioral anomalies
• Support detection tuning by identifying recurring false positives and suggesting improvements
• Stay informed on threat actor behaviors, MITRE ATT&CK techniques, and Sophos threat research updates
• Proactively research emerging IOCs, active exploits, and vulnerabilities to stay ahead of evolving threats
• Contribute to internal knowledge bases, documentation, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Participate in shift rotations and ensure timely, detailed handovers between global teams
• Provide detection and response support for active security incidents
• Manage case workflows: create cases, track progress, and follow up with clients until resolution
• Engage with clients via chat, phone, and tickets as part of case handling
• Assist with developing and refining Security Operations processes, playbooks, and tooling feedback

What You Will Bring

Essential

• 5+ years of hands‑on experience in a Security Operations Center (SOC), Managed Detection and Response (MDR) environment, or cybersecurity‑focused IT role
• Proficient in the use of endpoint and network security tools (e.g., EDR, IDS/IPS, malware detection platforms) with the ability to validate and triage complex alerts
• Working knowledge of Windows operating systems (both workstation and server), with additional experience in Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, RedHat) or macOS environments
• Ability to interpret and analyze Windows event logs and other telemetry data
• Understanding of core network concepts including TCP/IP, protocols, routing, and traffic analysis
• Demonstrated experience contributing to real‑time incident response efforts and threat investigations
• Exposure to threat hunting methodologies and an understanding of attacker behavior and patterns
• Experience handling active threats, including containment, mitigation, and recovery efforts during security incidents
• Familiar with techniques such as persistence, privilege escalation, lateral movement, and defense evasion, and able to identify these in real‑world environments
• Familiarity with common incident response workflows and security operations processes
• Strong analytical thinking and troubleshooting skills, with attention to detail in investigations and case documentation
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain findings to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Customer‑first mindset with professionalism and a focus on service excellence
• Must thrive within a team environment as well as on an individual basis
• Natural curiosity and willingness to learn in a fast‑paced, ever‑changing threat landscape
• A passion for cybersecurity, continuous improvement, and staying current on threat trends
• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity or related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Willingness to participate in shift work including nights, weekends and holidays (our MDR service is 24x7x365)

Desirable

• Familiarity with the MITRE ATT&CK framework and its application in detection and response
• Experience working with SIEM platforms and managing enterprise security telemetry
• Ability to write and interpret SQL queries for data analysis and investigation
• Experience with OSQuery and scripting skills, particularly in PowerShell
• Relevant and practical cybersecurity certifications (e.g., GSEC, GCIA, GCIH, PEN‑200, Security Blue Team L1, TCM Academy SOC L1, or similar)

In Canada, the base salary for this role ranges from $86,000 to $143,000. In addition to base salary, we offer additional compensation including bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits package. A candidate’s specific pay within this range will depend on a variety of factors, including job‑related skills, training, location, experience, relevant education, certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

Ready to Join Us?

At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don’t check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team.

What’s Great About Sophos?

• Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach. While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship.
• Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit
• Employee‑led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy
• Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities
• Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint
• Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp
• Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge
• Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing

Our Commitment To You

We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity. We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team. All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation. We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know.

Data Protection

If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos. If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights. For more information on Sophos’ data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy Cybersecurity as a Service Delivered | Sophos