Staff IT Security Analyst-Incident Response

Western Governors University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 161,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Flexible PTO

Health savings account

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Western Governors University seeks a lead-level security engineer to own complex incident response and threat detection across cloud and on-prem infrastructure. You will shape detections using MITRE ATT&CK, develop SOAR workflows, and mentor analysts in a fast-paced security operations team.

The role emphasizes hands-on, scripting-driven automation, CI/CD security, and deep cloud security expertise in AWS, with travel minimal and a strong emphasis on building scalable defenses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in IT Security, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 7 years of Information Security experience, including understanding of all security domains.
• Hands-on experience implementing MITRE ATT&CK Framework.
• Working experience creating, designing, and implementing SIEM content security rules to detect malicious, suspicious, and/or abnormal events.
• Hands-on experience maintaining cloud resources using infrastructure-as-code (CloudFormation, CDK, etc.).
• Expert scripting language experience (Bash, Python, etc.) with strong working knowledge of automation.
• Experience with open-source security tools (i.e. Kali, Nessus, Fortify, AppScan, Nexpose, SAINT, Burp, NMap, Metasploit, Meterpreter, Wireshark, Kismet, Aircrack-ng, Eramba, etc).
• Hands-on experience with AWS APIs, Lambda. DynamoDB, EC2, VPC, CloudFront, CloudTrail, CloudWatch, IAM.
• Relevant security certifications (CISSP, GIAC, ISACA, CEH, etc.).
• Knowledge and experience with Cloud and Data security, including advanced understanding of core AWS compute, network, storage, database, and identity services
• Hands-on experience integrating security into the various stages of a CI/CD pipeline
• Expertise in SaaS, PaaS, enterprise cloud architecture, and mixed-technology security solutions
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment while using a methodical, data-driven approach to security and risk analysis
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills, with the ability to turn complex security challenges into practical solutions
• Understanding of information security regulations, policies, and privacy requirements, including GDPR and CCPA

Responsibilities

• Lead complex incident response and investigation efforts, including technical analysis, evidence and data collection, forensic support, containment, remediation, and identification of opportunities to strengthen defenses.
• Lead security content and detection use-case development aligned to the MITRE ATT&CK Framework, researching attacks, identifying Indicators of Compromise (IOCs), analyzing large data sets, and developing detection logic for malicious, suspicious, and abnormal activity.
• Architect and build cloud threat analytics using log correlation, AI, and machine learning capabilities, while developing continuous security and compliance checks across AWS and other cloud platforms.
• Design and implement SOAR and security automation that improves security configuration management, compliance enforcement, investigation workflows, and remediation of malicious activity.
• Build and automate security capabilities across cloud infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure-as-code, data security, DLP, encryption, and security tooling.
• Identify gaps in the security model and lead technical solutions from requirements and architecture through implementation, integration, and ongoing operation, including integrations with ServiceNow.
• Act as a technical lead and mentor for other analysts, researching emerging threats and techniques, developing team capabilities, and providing hands-on guidance during demanding security situations.

Skills

MITRE ATT&CK

SIEM rules

Cloud security

Python scripting

CloudFormation/CDK

Automation scripting

AWS APIs

Education

Bachelor's Degree in IT Security/CS/Engineering

Tools

Kali

Nessus

Fortify

Burp Suite

NMap

Metasploit

Wireshark

Job description

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Technical 411 Pay Range: $161,000.00 - $249,500.00

Job Description

This is a lead-level, highly technical security role for someone who thrives at the center of complex cyber incidents. You will help lead incident response, threat detection, investigation, and remediation while also shaping the tools, automation, and security capabilities that strengthen WGU's defenses. You will serve as a hands-on technical leader and escalation point for the IT Security team, working alongside security, infrastructure, engineering, and business partners. The right person brings deep technical expertise, strong investigative instincts, and the ability to turn emerging threats and real-world incidents into better detections, faster response, and stronger controls.

What You'll Do

• Lead complex incident response and investigation efforts, including technical analysis, evidence and data collection, forensic support, containment, remediation, and identification of opportunities to strengthen defenses.
• Lead security content and detection use-case development aligned to the MITRE ATT&CK Framework, researching attacks, identifying Indicators of Compromise (IOCs), analyzing large data sets, and developing detection logic for malicious, suspicious, and abnormal activity.
• Architect and build cloud threat analytics using log correlation, AI, and machine learning capabilities, while developing continuous security and compliance checks across AWS and other cloud platforms.
• Design and implement SOAR and security automation that improves security configuration management, compliance enforcement, investigation workflows, and remediation of malicious activity.
• Build and automate security capabilities across cloud infrastructure, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure-as-code, data security, DLP, encryption, and security tooling.
• Identify gaps in the security model and lead technical solutions from requirements and architecture through implementation, integration, and ongoing operation, including integrations with ServiceNow.
• Act as a technical lead and mentor for other analysts, researching emerging threats and techniques, developing team capabilities, and providing hands-on guidance during demanding security situations.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's Degree in IT Security, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• 7 years of Information Security experience, including understanding of all security domains
• Hands-on experience implementing MITRE ATT&CK Framework
• Working experience creating, designing, and implementing SIEM content security rules to detect malicious, suspicious, and/or abnormal events
• Hands-on experience maintaining cloud resources using infrastructure-as-code (CloudFormation, CDK, etc.)
• Expert scripting language experience (Bash, Python, etc.) with strong working knowledge of automation
• Experience with open-source security tools (i.e. Kali, Nessus, Fortify, AppScan, Nexpose, SAINT, Burp, NMap, Metasploit, Meterpreter, Wireshark, Kismet, Aircrack-ng, Eramba, etc)
• Hands-on experience with AWS APIs, Lambda. DynamoDB, EC2, VPC, CloudFront, CloudTrail, CloudWatch, IAM
• Relevant security certifications (CISSP, GIAC, ISACA, CEH, etc.)
• Knowledge and experience with Cloud and Data security, including advanced understanding of core AWS compute, network, storage, database, and identity services
• Hands-on experience integrating security into the various stages of a CI/CD pipeline
• Expertise in SaaS, PaaS, enterprise cloud architecture, and mixed-technology security solutions
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment while using a methodical, data-driven approach to security and risk analysis
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills, with the ability to turn complex security challenges into practical solutions
• Understanding of information security regulations, policies, and privacy requirements, including GDPR and CCPA

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

Bonus Points

• 15 years of Information Security experience, including understanding of all security domains
• Strong experience with distance education and distance learning students

What to Expect

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do, including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations and collaboration.

We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.

• Talent Partner introductory call
• Hiring Leader Interview
• Executive Leadership Interview

Work Location

This is a full-time, in-office position requiring five days per week in our Salt Lake City, Utah or Raleigh, North Carolina office, designed to foster the collaboration and connection that fuel our best work.

Visa Sponsorship

While we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Travel Requirement

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

#LI-AW2

Position & Application Details

• Full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses
• Medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare
• Health savings account and flexible spending account
• Basic and voluntary life insurance
• Disability coverage
• Accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
• Legal and identity theft coverage
• Retirement savings plan
• Wellbeing program
• Discounted WGU tuition
• Flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual
• Flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual
• 11 paid holidays
• Other paid leaves
• Up to 12 weeks of parental leave

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.