Freelance Python Automation Engineer Jobs in Oregon

About the Role

We are looking for a hands-on Security Automation Engineer and builder who thrives on creating automated, secure cloud environments and scaling security operations. You will design and maintain infrastructure-as-code, cloud security automations, and modern security tooling - with a strong focus on AWS, Splunk Enterprise Security, Splunk SOAR, and Okta Identity. This role combines deep cloud infrastructure expertise with security orchestration and identity management to strengthen our overall defensive posture.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain automation frameworks and scripts (Python, Bash, Terraform) to streamline security processes and workflows.

• Deploy and manage secure, scalable infrastructure on AWS using Terraform via Scalr and Harness, with additional presence in GCP and Azure.

• Build, support, and optimize AWS Step Functions, Lambda, and EventBridge workflows from a centralized tooling account that operates across multiple spoke accounts in the AWS Organization.

• Maintain Kubernetes clusters using Helm charts, including in-house security automations on pods that integrate with CSPM tools and Jira ticketing processes.

• Develop and enforce cloud security guardrails using OPA, Guardrails, Service Control Policies (SCPs), IaC security gates, and tag policies.

• Architect, build, and maintain Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) integrations, including onboarding log sources, managing indexes, tuning correlation searches, and configuring automated response actions.

• Design and implement Splunk SOAR playbooks to automate security tasks, reduce Mean Time to Respond (MTTR), and scale SOC capabilities.

• Serve as the subject matter expert for Okta Identity Engine (OIE) - building and managing scalable SSO policies, modern authentication (SAML/OIDC), and identity lifecycle processes.

• Leverage AWS security services (GuardDuty, Macie, IAM, Control Tower, KMS, CloudTrail, EventBridge) to build event-driven automations for threat detection and response.

• Own the in-house Jira management process for CSPM findings and the supporting data pipeline that feeds AWS QuickSight dashboards.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Dev, Platform, Security, and SOC) to integrate security automation into CI/CD pipelines and shift security left.

• Conduct risk assessments, enforce security best practices, and continuously improve our defensive posture through automation and tooling.

• Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize cloud infrastructure and security systems to ensure high availability, performance, and compliance.

• Stay current with AWS best practices, security trends, and emerging technologies to drive continuous improvement.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience.

• Strong hands-on experience with:

  • Terraform, Kubernetes (EKS + Helm), Docker, and scripting in Python & Bash

  • AWS services including Step Functions, Lambda, EventBridge, GuardDuty, Macie, IAM, Organizations, and QuickSight

  • Policy-as-code tools (OPA, Guardrails, SCPs) and IaC security scanning

  • Splunk Enterprise Security (ES) administration, log onboarding, correlation search tuning, and automated responses

  • Splunk SOAR playbook development and automation

  • Okta Identity Engine (OIE), SSO, SAML, and OIDC protocols

• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and providing technical guidance.

• Experience designing automation solutions that reduce MTTD and MTTR.

• Solid understanding of cloud security principles, compliance frameworks, and secure infrastructure design.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Scalr, Harness, or similar IaC deployment platforms.

• Familiarity with GCP and/or Azure cloud environments.

• Prior experience integrating security tools with Jira and building data pipelines for visualization (QuickSight or similar).

• Security certifications (AWS Security Specialty, CKS, Splunk-related certifications, or Okta certifications) are a plus.

#LI-JC1