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Detection Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Google Inc.

Security Engineer, Detection

Reston, VA · On-site

$123 - $175/hr

As a Security Engineer in the Infrastructure Detection domain, you will bridge the boundary between Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and production (network, data center). Our outlook is to establish a ...

NewGen

Detection Engineering Lead

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$116K - $152K/yr

We are looking for a Detection Engineering Lead for potential upcoming work. This would be part of an opportunity for our Partner to expand their footprint within a Federal IT sector. Requirements

Google

Security Engineer, Detection

Reston, VA · On-site

As a Security Engineer in the Infrastructure Detection domain, you will be at the forefront of securing Alphabet's backend platforms and hardware. You will bridge the boundary between Google Cloud ...

Shift5

Detections Engineer

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

$170K - $200K/yr

Shift5 is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Detection Engineer to join our growing Research team. In this role, your primary responsibility will be building Proof of Concept (PoC ...

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All JobsDetection Engineer JobsDetection Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Detection Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$11.8K

$167.9K

$206.7K

How much do detection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for detection engineer in Washington, DC is $167,921.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $153,534.00 and $185,207.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a detection engineer do?

A Detection Engineer is responsible for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security threats by developing detection rules, monitoring security systems, and responding to potential incidents. They work with security tools like SIEMs, EDRs, and IDS/IPS to detect malicious activity and improve threat detection capabilities. Additionally, they collaborate with security teams to enhance defensive strategies and automate detection processes.

What kind of projects or tasks does a detection engineer typically work on?

As a Detection Engineer, you can expect to work on designing, implementing, and refining security detection strategies to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities in company systems. Daily responsibilities often include developing detection logic, analyzing security alerts, conducting threat hunting exercises, and collaborating with incident response teams. You may also work closely with other cybersecurity professionals to evaluate the effectiveness of existing security measures and recommend improvements. This dynamic environment offers opportunities to work on complex technical challenges while directly contributing to the organization’s overall security posture.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a detection engineer?

To thrive as a Detection Engineer, you need strong analytical skills, a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles, and experience with threat detection and response, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and certifications like GIAC or CISSP are commonly required. Attention to detail, proactive problem-solving abilities, and effective communication enhance effectiveness in this role. These skills are crucial as Detection Engineers must accurately identify security threats, collaborate with teams, and minimize potential risks to the organization.

What are the most commonly searched types of Detection Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Detection Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Detection Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Detection Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Detection Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Detection Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Detection Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Detection Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,921 per year, or $80.7 per hour.

Director, Detection Engineering and Automation

TransUnion

Reston, VA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 18 days ago

TransUnion rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

TransUnion's Job Applicant Privacy Notice

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Team Overview

Reporting directly to the SVP, Cyber Defense, the Director of Detection Engineering and Automation serves as a key member of the Cyber Defense leadership team responsible for advancing TransUnion's detection and automation capabilities across endpoint, identity, network, and cloud environments.
The role partners closely with Threat Intelligence, Security Incident Response, Security Operations, Cloud Infrastructure Security, Application Security, and Engineering teams to strengthen proactive defense and improve operational response. This leader will drive the development of scalable detection and automation strategies that reduce cyber risk, enhance visibility, and accelerate threat identification and response across the enterprise. This is a hybrid position and involves regular performance of job responsibilities virtually as well as in-person at an assigned TU office location for a minimum of two days a week.

Role Overview and Core Responsibilities

  • Lead the Detection Engineering and Automation function, establishing the team as the authoritative center of excellence for prioritized, high-fidelity detections that reduce risk across endpoint, identity, network, and cloud environments.

  • Define and execute the detection engineering and automation strategy, ensuring detection priorities are aligned to the evolving threat landscape, enterprise risk, and organizational priorities.

  • Lead, develop, and scale a team of approximately 14 detection and automation engineers and one manager, building leadership capability, fostering a high-performance culture, and supporting continued team growth.

  • Own the end-to-end detection lifecycle, from ideation and prioritization through development, testing, deployment, tuning, and ongoing optimization to ensure detections remain relevant and actionable.

  • Drive automation and response workflow integration across SOAR, SIEM, and EDR platforms to increase detection coverage, reduce manual effort, and improve operational scalability.

  • Mature the detection platform by evaluating and adopting scalable tooling, simplifying detection authoring, and enabling faster turnaround on new detection capabilities.

  • Lead cloud detection capability development by closing current coverage gaps and building durable cloud-native detection capabilities in partnership with Cloud Infrastructure Security and Engineering.

  • Partner cross-functionally with SecOps, Threat Intelligence, SIRT, and Engineering to ensure detection outputs are actionable, response plans are current, and automation reduces manual response burden.

  • Define, track, and communicate key detection metrics, including detection coverage, detection effectiveness, false positive rates, mean time to detect, and automation throughput.

  • Represent Detection Engineering in senior leadership forums by providing clear, decision-oriented updates on detection posture, platform health, risk coverage, and team progress.

Required Knowledge and Experiences

  • 10+ years of cybersecurity experience, with a strong focus on detection engineering, security operations, or threat intelligence, including at least 3-5 years in a people leadership role managing teams or managers.

  • Demonstrated experience building and scaling detection engineering programs, including detection development, tuning, operationalization, and continuous improvement across enterprise environments.

  • Strong understanding of adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures and experience applying frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK to guide detection prioritization, coverage, and risk reduction.

  • Proven ability to drive cross-functional alignment across Threat Intelligence, Incident Response, Security Operations, Cloud Infrastructure Security, Application Security, and Engineering teams.

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field required; equivalent experience may be considered where it demonstrates the technical depth and leadership capability needed for the role.

Required Technical Skills

  • Deep technical expertise with SIEM, EDR, SOAR, and detection-as-code methodologies, including hands-on experience with detection rule development and automation workflow design.

  • Experience developing detections across endpoint, identity, network, and cloud environments, with the ability to prioritize based on risk reduction and operational impact.

  • Experience leading cloud detection initiatives across cloud-native environments such as AWS, GCP, and Azure, including familiarity with cloud-specific telemetry sources and detection challenges.

  • Strong analytical and risk-quantification skills, including the ability to evaluate detection effectiveness, false positive rates, detection coverage, MTTD, and automation throughput.

  • Ability to translate technical detection posture into executive-relevant narratives, including risk trends, coverage gaps, platform health, and program maturity.

We're also looking for the preferred skills below. Whether you are proficient or could use some brushing up, we're happy to support your career development and growth in:

  • Experience evaluating and adopting new detection platforms or tooling at enterprise scale.

  • Background building detection systems, automation, threat hunting, or threat intelligence operationalization programs.

  • Experience working in financial services, fintech, or a similarly regulated industry.

  • Familiarity with version-controlled detection pipelines and detection-as-code practices.

  • Track record of building detection automation that measurably reduces analyst toil and improves response efficiency.

#LI-KJ1

Benefits that support every part of your life:

At TransUnion, we design benefits to help youfeel well, do well, and plan well-from day one.

For Your Health: Enjoyday-one eligibilityfor medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus supplemental plan options. Spousal, domestic partner, and other eligible dependent coverage is available on select plans. Choose taxadvantagedHSAandFSAaccounts to make everyday care more affordable.

For Your Protection: We've got your back withcompanypaid basic life and AD&D, optionalvoluntary life and AD&Dfor you and your family, andshort and longterm disability. You can also opt into alegal plan,pet insurance, andtravel accident coverage.

For Your Family: Fromadoption assistance and fertility planning coveragetocaregiver support, we're here for every chapter. AccessDependent Care FSA for possibility of an employer match, a complimentaryCare@Workmembership, andup to 12 weeks of paid parental leavewith eligibility for a thoughtful, gradual return.

For Your Future: Build toward what's next with our401(k) with employer matchandEmployee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). Tapfinancial wellness resources,career coaching, and optionallongterm care insuranceto plan confidently.

For You: Grow and recharge withtuition reimbursement,flexible time off for exempt employees or paid time off for nonexempt employees, up to 12 paid holidays per year, commuter benefits, employeediscounts,charitable gift matching, andpaid volunteer time off, plus corporate volunteer events that make it easy to give back.

For Your Wellness: Access24/7 supportincluding professionaltherapy,coaching, and emotional wellbeing programs alongside guided meditation and resources that supportphysical, mental, social, and financial wellness.

We are committed to being a place where diversity is not only present, it is embraced. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, TransUnion takes affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans in all levels of employment and develops annual affirmative action plans. Components of TransUnion's Affirmative Action Program for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are available for review to any associate or applicant for employment upon request by contacting ERCoE@transunion.com.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act.

Adherence to Company policies, sound judgment and trustworthiness, working safely, communicating respectfully, and safeguarding business operations, confidential and proprietary information, and the Company's reputation are also essential expectations of this position.

Pay Scale Information:The U.S. base salary range for this position is $168,750.00 - $281,250 annually. *The salary range for this position reflects a reasonable estimate of the range of compensation for this job. At TransUnion, actual compensation is based on careful consideration of additional factors such as (but not limited to) an individual's education, training, work experience, job-related skill set, location, and industry knowledge, as well as the scope and responsibilities of the position and market considerations. Regular, fulltime non-sales positions may be eligible to participate in TransUnion's annual bonus plan. Certain positions may be also eligible for long-term incentives and other payments based on applicable company guidance and plan documents.

TransUnion Overview:

At TransUnion, we encourage and are committed to creating a real, positive impact and shared sense of purpose within our Workforce for Good, which empowers our people to grow, innovate and contribute to a better future for our communities and customers. We strive to build an environment where our associates are in the driver's seat of their professional development- while having access to help along the way. We recognize that success comes when our associates thrive both professionally and personally; that's why we prioritize work/life flexibility and offer resources for our teams across the globe to collaborate and drive excellence.

Be a part of our Workforce for Good - you'll work with great people, pioneering products and cutting-edge technology.

TransUnion's Internal Job Title:

Director, Cybersecurity

Company:

TransUnion LLC

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