Defence Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Join Our Client as a Staff Detection Security Operations Engineer

Are you a seasoned security professional with a passion for protecting critical systems across multiple cloud platforms? Our Client, a renowned leader in the defence and cybersecurity industry, is seeking a highly skilled Staff Detection Security Operations Engineer to play a pivotal role in enhancing threat detection, security analytics, and operational resilience on a global scale.

About Our Client

Operating at the forefront of defence and security solutions, Our Client delivers innovative services and cutting-edge technology to support sensitive and mission-critical environments. Committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive workplace, they value expertise, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Working here means contributing to impactful projects that support national security, with access to state-of-the-art tools, a supportive team, and ample opportunities for professional growth.

Role Summary

In response to increasing security challenges and expanding cloud operations, Our Client is expanding their security operations team. This strategic appointment is key to safeguarding their cloud-native environments, ensuring compliance with stringent security standards, and maintaining operational excellence across diverse technological landscapes. This role offers the opportunity to influence architecture decisions, develop innovative detection techniques, and lead incident response efforts in a high-stakes setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, review, and enhance security architectures and control frameworks aligned with industry standards such as FedRAMP and NIST 800-53.
• Lead in-depth security assessments, identify vulnerabilities, and implement sustainable remediation strategies.
• Develop and refine SIEM rules, detection modules, and automation scripts to improve threat visibility.
• Manage and improve observability across security tooling, including logging, alerting, and dashboards, to support operational health.
• Drive automation initiatives to streamline detection, response, and recovery workflows.
• Monitor security alerts, triage incidents, and participate in on-call rotations for threat mitigation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on system deployment, capacity planning, and hardening efforts.
• Mentor junior team members and influence security standards and best practices.

Essential Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of experience in Security Engineering or Detection Engineering within enterprise or cloud environments.
• Practical experience with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
• Strong proficiency in writing and tuning detection rules using SQL, KQL, Sigma, or YARA.
• Hands-on experience with cloud-native security tools and automation frameworks.
• Demonstrable knowledge of large-scale system operation, incident response, and threat intelligence.
• Skilled in scripting languages such as Python and Bash.
• Familiarity with SIEM platforms and observability tools like Prometheus, Grafana, or Datadog.
• Understanding of compliance frameworks including FedRAMP and NIST standards.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a proactive, ownership-driven mindset.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to varied audiences.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience working with FedRAMP or NIST 800-53 controls.
• Background supporting secure, classified, or highly regulated environments.
• Experience with container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Previous mentorship or team leadership experience.
• Familiarity with incident response documentation standards and best practices.

What We're Looking For

You are a dedicated professional who thrives in high-pressure situations, values accountability, and loves evolving detection and response techniques. You are passionate about building resilient security systems and enjoy working collaboratively across teams to develop innovative solutions. An understanding of defense-related security standards and clear communication skills are essential to succeed in this mission-critical environment.

Application Process

If your expertise aligns with this exciting opportunity, we invite you to submit your CV for consideration. Join a team where your work directly influences national security and helps protect the most sensitive environments. We look forward to hearing from qualified candidates ready to make a meaningful impact.

Note: This role is remote with occasional travel, where necessary, to ensure project success.

Feel free to tailor this description further or request additional versions suited for different platforms or audiences.