Senior Security Operations Engineer

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 1,588,000 - 2,722,000; Part time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Security Operations Engineer for a remote contract role, responsible for securing cloud-native infrastructure and applications. You will manage SIEM/EDR/SOX tools, hunt threats, and automate security controls across AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in security operations, strong cloud security expertise, scripting abilities (Python, Terraform, Ansible), and experience shaping incident response in CI/CD contexts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years in security operations or incident response.
• Strong cloud security expertise (AWS/Azure/GCP) and related services.
• Proficiency with SIEM, EDR, SOAR and other SOC tools.
• Experience with scripting and automation.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain security tools such as SIEM, EDR, firewalls, and vulnerability scanners.
• Analyze alerts, investigate incidents, and coordinate responses.
• Automate security controls in cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Conduct threat hunting to identify emerging threats.
• Develop incident response playbooks and procedures.
• Collaborate with CI/CD teams to embed security best practices.
• Perform security assessments and vulnerability management.
• Document configurations and incident reports.
• Contribute to secure cloud design and architecture.

Skills

SIEM

EDR

SOAR

Cloud security

Python

Ansible

Terraform

Threat hunting

Incident response

CI/CD security

Vulnerability management

Networking fundamentals

Container security

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a fast-paced tech startup, is looking for a seasoned Senior Security Operations Engineer to join their team. This is a contract role focusing on enhancing and maintaining the security of their cloud-native infrastructure and applications. The position is fully remote, offering maximum flexibility for the right candidate. The successful applicant will be responsible for managing security tools, monitoring for threats, responding to incidents, and contributing to the overall security strategy. We are seeking an individual with deep expertise in security operations, cloud security, and a proactive approach to threat detection and mitigation. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a dynamic company on challenging security projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, monitor, and maintain security tools and platforms, including SIEM, EDR, firewalls, and vulnerability scanners.
• Analyze security alerts and logs, investigate potential incidents, and coordinate response activities.
• Implement and automate security controls and processes within cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Conduct threat hunting exercises to proactively identify and neutralize emerging threats.
• Develop and refine security playbooks and incident response procedures.
• Collaborate with development and operations teams to ensure security best practices are integrated into CI/CD pipelines.
• Perform security assessments and vulnerability management.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest security threats, vulnerabilities, and industry best practices.
• Document security configurations, processes, and incident reports.
• Contribute to the design and architecture of secure cloud infrastructure.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience in security operations, incident response, or a related cybersecurity engineering role.
• Strong expertise in cloud security (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and related security services.
• Proficiency with SIEM, EDR, SOAR, and other security operations tools.
• Experience with scripting and automation tools (e.g., Python, Ansible, Terraform).
• Deep understanding of network protocols, operating systems, and common attack vectors.
• Experience with container security and microservices architectures is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and incident management skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, comfortable working in a remote team environment.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, or cloud security certifications are highly desirable.

Benefits

This contract position offers a competitive hourly or daily rate, reflecting the senior nature of the role. As a remote position, it provides significant flexibility in terms of work location. Our client provides access to cutting-edge security technologies and a challenging, fast-paced work environment. Opportunities for extended contract duration based on performance and project needs may be available. The role is ideal for experienced professionals seeking impactful projects with a leading tech firm.