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Data Protection Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

kgs

Data Protection Engineer

Washington, DC

Eagle Harbor Solutions, LLC a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking an experienced Data Protection Engineer with a TS/SCI Security clearance to support EHS and our government customer in ...

kgs

Data Protection Engineer

Washington, DC

Eagle Harbor Solutions, LLC a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking an experienced Data Protection Engineer with a TS/SCI Security clearance to support EHS and our government customer in ...

Koniag, Inc.

Data Protection Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

Eagle Harbor Solutions, LLC a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking an experienced Data Protection Engineer with a TS/SCI Security clearance to support EHS and our government customer in ...

Saic

Data Protection Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Data Protection Engineer to support enterprise IT infrastructure in a mission-critical, on-premises environment. The selected candidate will be responsible for the ...

SAIC

Data Protection Engineer

Springfield, VA

$160K - $200K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking a Data Protection Engineer to support enterprise IT infrastructure in a mission-critical, on-premises environment. The selected candidate will be responsible ...

SAIC

Data Protection Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Data Protection Engineer to support enterprise IT infrastructure in a mission-critical, on-premises environment. The selected candidate will be responsible for the ...

SAIC

Data Protection Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking a Data Protection Engineer to support enterprise IT infrastructure in a mission-critical, on-premises environment. The selected candidate will be responsible ...

First Student

Data Protection Engineer

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

The Data Protection & Security Engineer will serve as the primary owner of First Student's data protection capability while also providing hands-on security engineering support across cloud ...

First Student

Data Protection Engineer

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

The Data Protection & Security Engineer will serve as the primary owner of First Student's data protection capability while also providing hands-on security engineering support across cloud ...

Acuity, Inc.

Data Protection Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$170K/yr

Monitor security alerts related to data protection and implement patches for backup infrastructure ... Domain-Specific: Commvault Certified Professional or Veeam Certified Engineer (VMCE)

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Data Protection Engineer information

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$44.5K

$129.7K

$177.5K

How much do data protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for data protection engineer in the United States is $129,716.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $137,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a data protection engineer?

Data Protection Engineers are IT professionals who design, implement, and maintain systems to safeguard sensitive data from unauthorized access, loss, or breaches. They ensure that data storage, transfer, and processing comply with relevant data protection laws and organizational policies. Their responsibilities often include configuring encryption, managing backup solutions, monitoring for security incidents, and conducting risk assessments. Data Protection Engineers also collaborate with other teams to integrate data security best practices into all aspects of an organization’s technology infrastructure.

What are some typical challenges a data protection engineer faces when implementing data privacy solutions across multiple systems?

Data Protection Engineers often encounter challenges related to integrating privacy controls seamlessly across diverse and legacy systems. Maintaining compliance with evolving data protection regulations while ensuring minimal disruption to business operations can be complex. Additionally, collaborating with cross-functional teams to align technical solutions with organizational policies and educating stakeholders on data privacy best practices are key aspects of the role. These challenges require strong communication skills, technical adaptability, and a proactive approach to risk assessment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a data protection engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Protection Engineer, you need in-depth knowledge of data security principles, encryption techniques, and compliance frameworks, typically supported by a degree in computer science and relevant certifications like CISSP or CIPP. Familiarity with data loss prevention (DLP) tools, cloud security platforms, and regulatory compliance systems is essential. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this field. These skills ensure the robust safeguarding of sensitive information, compliance with regulations, and proactive risk mitigation in evolving digital environments.

What is the difference between Data Protection Engineer vs Data Security Analyst?

AspectData Protection EngineerData Security Analyst
CredentialsCertifications like CISSP, CISA, or CISM; relevant degrees in cybersecurity or computer scienceSimilar certifications; often holds CISSP, Security+, or GIAC certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning and implementing data protection systems, working closely with IT and engineering teamsMonitoring security systems, analyzing threats, and responding to security incidents
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations focusing on data privacyOrganizations across industries focusing on data security and compliance

While both roles focus on data security, Data Protection Engineers primarily design and implement data protection solutions, whereas Data Security Analysts monitor and respond to security threats. They often collaborate but have distinct responsibilities within data security frameworks.

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Data Protection Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Protection Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,716 per year, or $62.4 per hour.

Data Protection Engineer

Springfield, VA • Hybrid

Elluminates Software
IT Services • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Elluminates Softwareexternal

$140K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 16 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Administer and support enterprise on-premises Commvault data protection platforms

  • Monitor and manage daily backup operations, ensuring successful job completion and timely issue resolution

  • Perform data backup, restoration, and disaster recovery operations for physical and virtual environments

Job description

Data Protection EngineerIntroductionElluminates Software — We Make Your Infrastructure Intelligent
Build your next generation organization with advanced automation and AI tools — purpose-built for enterprise scale. We engineer intelligence into the core of infrastructure for Federal and commercial customers.
Openvista® Suite
• Hyperscaler® — AI for the operators who keep everything running. Design automations, deploy them with confidence, and manage your environment from a single platform →  https://www.hyperscaler.ai/ 
Forward Deployed Engineering Support
• Infrastructure Automation Engineers — Embed directly with your team to design and build automations purpose-built for your environment, eliminating manual toil and delivering operational efficiency at scale.
• Cloud and Data Center Engineers — We can take full ownership of designing, running, and managing your infrastructure across public cloud, private data center, or hybrid environments as a true operational partner.
Job Description
Elluminates Software Corporation is looking for a full-time Data Protection Engineer to support enterprise IT infrastructure in a mission-critical, on-premises environment. This position is in support of the Department of State (DOS) as a part of the Vanguard 2025 contract. 
The selected candidate will be responsible for the administration, maintenance, and optimization of backup and recovery solutions, ensuring data availability, integrity, and compliance with Federal standards. This position requires a hands-on engineer with experience in Commvault, supporting secure, highly available systems within a government data center.  
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Administer and support enterprise on-premises Commvault data protection platforms
  • Monitor and manage daily backup operations, ensuring successful job completion and timely issue resolution 
  • Perform data backup, restoration, and disaster recovery operations for physical and virtual environments 
  • Maintain and optimize backup infrastructure, including backup servers, media agents, and storage systems 
  • Troubleshoot system issues related to backup failures, performance degradation, and storage utilization 
  • Develop and enforce backup policies, retention schedules, and disaster recovery procedures in alignment with customer requirements 
  • Conduct regular backup validation and recovery testing to ensure system resilience  
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (systems, storage, network, cybersecurity) to maintain secure and compliant operations 
  • Support audit readiness and compliance efforts by providing documentation and reporting 
  • Maintain detailed technical documentation, including SOPs, system diagrams, and operational procedures 
  • Participate in on-call rotation and provide after-hours support as required

Required Qualifications
  • Hands-on experience with Commvault, Dell EMC Avamar or equivalent enterprise-class data protection system in an on-premises/data center environment 
  • Experience with enterprise backup architecture, including replication technologies 
  • Familiarity with storage platforms
  • Experience supporting VMware vSphere and vCenter environments 
  • Knowledge of Windows Server 
  • Understanding of networking fundamentals related to backup and storage traffic
  • Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills

Desired Qualifications
  • Relevant certifications (e.g., Dell EMC Proven Professional, Commvault Certified Professional, VMware VCP)
  • Experience supporting Federal or DOS IT environments
  • Familiarity with air-gapped backup solutions and ransomware protection strategies
  • Experience with database backup and recovery (Oracle, SQL Server)

Years of Experience and Education Requirements
  • Bachelors degree and 9+ years of relevant experience; masters and 7+ years; may accept additional experience in lieu of degree

Type: Full-Time
Clearance: Active secret clearance with ability to receive top secret
Location: Springfield, Virginia
Shift: Normal Business Hours – Hybrid
Type of Travel: Local
Target Salary Range: The anticipated salary range for this position is $140,000.00 to $195,000.00 This range is not a guarantee of compensation. Final salary will be determined based on factors including experience, geographic location, and any applicable contractual requirements, and may fall above or below the stated range.
Benefits: We offer an excellent comprehensive benefits plan that includes Medical, Dental & Vision options and more.