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Detective Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

MANTECH

Detection Engineering Lead

Mclean, VA · On-site

$103K - $136K/yr

MANTECH seeks a motivated and customer-oriented Cyber Detection Engineering Lead to join our team in McLean, VA . In this role you lead the mission to enhance cybersecurity detection and response ...

MANTECH

Detection Engineering Lead

Mclean, VA · On-site

$103K - $136K/yr

MANTECH seeks a motivated and customer-oriented Cyber Detection Engineering Lead to join our team in McLean, VA . In this role you lead the mission to enhance cybersecurity detection and response ...

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All JobsDetective JobsDetective Jobs in Washington

Detective information

See Washington salary details

$32.8K

$70.1K

$111.6K

How much do detective jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for detective in Washington is $70,113.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,200.00 and $81,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a detective?

Detectives are law enforcement professionals who investigate crimes by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and following leads to solve cases. They often specialize in particular types of crime, such as homicide, fraud, or missing persons. Detectives work closely with other police officers and may testify in court about their findings. Their job requires strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. Detectives play a crucial role in ensuring justice and public safety.

What do detectives do?

A police detective is a police officer who works to gather evidence and facts for criminal cases. A police detective’s duties include interviewing potential suspects, examining records and apprehending criminals. These police officers will work on specific cases until they are solved or dropped.

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

To thrive as a Detective, you need strong investigative skills, critical thinking, and a background in law enforcement, typically supported by police academy training and relevant experience. Proficiency in evidence management systems, forensic tools, and case management software is usually required. Outstanding communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities help detectives excel in interviewing witnesses and building cases. These skills are vital for effectively solving crimes, ensuring justice, and maintaining public trust.

What are some common challenges detectives face when working on complex cases?

Detectives often encounter challenges such as piecing together incomplete or conflicting information, managing multiple leads simultaneously, and working under tight deadlines. Additionally, they must collaborate with various departments, including forensic teams and legal professionals, while maintaining clear communication with victims or witnesses. These challenges require detectives to be resourceful, detail-oriented, and persistent in order to solve cases effectively.

What is the difference between Detective vs Police Officer?

AspectDetectivePolice Officer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, police academy, detective training, sometimes college degreeHigh school diploma, police academy
Work EnvironmentInvestigative settings, offices, crime scenesPatrol, crime scenes, community interactions
Employer & Industry UsageLaw enforcement agencies, detective bureausPolice departments, law enforcement agencies
Common Search & ComparisonInvestigative work, case solvingPatrol duties, maintaining public safety

Detectives focus on investigating crimes, gathering evidence, and solving cases, often working in offices or at crime scenes. Police officers perform patrol duties, respond to emergencies, and maintain public safety. While both roles are part of law enforcement, detectives typically require additional investigative training and work more in investigative settings, whereas police officers handle a broader range of community policing tasks.

How do you get hired as a detective?

To become a detective, candidates typically need to first serve as a police officer, gaining experience and demonstrating strong investigative skills. They often must meet minimum requirements such as age, education, and background checks, and may need to complete specialized training or exams for promotion or selection to detective roles.

What are the different types of detective jobs?

Detective jobs can be categorized into various types, including criminal investigators, homicide detectives, fraud investigators, cybercrime detectives, and private investigators. Each type specializes in different areas of investigation and may require specific skills, certifications, or security clearances. Detectives often work in law enforcement agencies, private firms, or as independent consultants, and their work environments can vary from offices to crime scenes.

What can you do as a detective?

A detective investigates crimes by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing information to solve cases. They often work in law enforcement agencies, using skills such as surveillance, report writing, and sometimes forensics, to identify suspects and support prosecution efforts.
More about Detective jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Detective jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Detective jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Detective jobs in Washington?

For Detective jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Detective jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Detective jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Detective jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Detective job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Detective jobs in WA?

For Detective jobs in WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Detective jobs near you
Infographic showing various Detective job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,113 per year, or $33.7 per hour.

Detection Engineering SME

Softthink Solutions, Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Job Title: Detection Engineering SME
Location: Onsite - Washington DC
Work authorization:

Role Summary

The Detection Engineering SME leads the development of detection content, including up to 3,500 single-event rules and 200 multi-event correlation rules. This role ensures SBA s threat detection posture is modern, comprehensive, and aligned with current adversary techniques.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Author detection rules for Google SecOps SIEM.
  • Deploy curated detections and validate rule performance.
  • Build multi-event correlation rules aligned to MITRE ATT&CK.
  • Tune detections to meet false-positive thresholds.
  • Integrate threat intelligence sources into detection logic.
  • Support UEBA risk scoring and insider-threat detection.
  • Provide expert guidance during Detect & Tune and Operationalize phases.

Professional Experience Required

  • 7+ years of experience in detection engineering, threat hunting, or cyber analytics.
  • Experience authoring SIEM rules and correlation logic.
  • Experience with MITRE ATT&CK, threat intelligence, and adversary emulation.
  • Experience with cloud-native SIEM platforms.

Educational Qualification

  • Bachelor s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or related field.

Certifications

GIAC Detection Engineering (GCTI, GDAT), CISSP, or equivalent preferred.

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