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Junior Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

... junior engineers for software development. Key Responsibilities * Custom Kubernetes operator ... Partner closely with internal cybersecurity and development teams to ensure the platform's custom ...

Senior Applications Developer

Oak Ridge, TN

$91K - $126K/yr

Provide technical mentorship, guidance, and subject matter expertise to junior and mid-level ... Cyber security alerts affecting IIS and web servers * Produce clear, concise, and accurate ...

Senior Applications Developer

Oak Ridge, TN

$91K - $126K/yr

Provide technical mentorship, guidance, and subject matter expertise to junior and mid-level ... Cyber security alerts affecting IIS and web servers * Produce clear, concise, and accurate ...

Junior Cybersecurity Engineer information

See Oak Ridge, TN salary details

$32K

$68.6K

$104.7K

How much do junior cybersecurity engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior cybersecurity engineer in Oak Ridge, TN is $68,643.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,400.00 and $76,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a junior cybersecurity engineer do?

A Junior Cybersecurity Engineer supports the development and implementation of security measures to protect an organization's computer systems and networks. They assist with monitoring for security breaches, conducting vulnerability assessments, and responding to incidents. Their role often involves working closely with more experienced engineers to learn best practices, update security tools, and ensure compliance with security policies. Over time, they gain hands-on experience to advance to more senior cybersecurity positions.

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

A Junior Cybersecurity Engineer needs a solid understanding of network security, risk assessment, and basic programming or scripting, usually backed by a degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Familiarity with security tools like firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), vulnerability scanners, and certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or Cisco CCNA are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help individuals excel in identifying threats and collaborating with teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial to effectively detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats, ensuring the safety and integrity of organizational data and systems.

What are some common challenges faced by junior cybersecurity engineers in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Junior Cybersecurity Engineers often encounter challenges such as keeping up with rapidly evolving threats, understanding complex security tools, and effectively communicating technical findings to non-technical teams. To overcome these, it's helpful to engage in continuous learning through training and certifications, actively participate in team knowledge-sharing sessions, and seek mentorship from experienced colleagues. Building strong foundational knowledge and asking questions regularly can also accelerate your adaptation and confidence in the role.

What is the difference between Junior Cybersecurity Engineer vs Cybersecurity Analyst?

AspectJunior Cybersecurity EngineerCybersecurity Analyst
Required CertificationsCompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA SecurityCompTIA Security+, GIAC Security Essentials
Work EnvironmentHands-on security system implementation and maintenanceMonitoring, analyzing security incidents, and reporting
Employer & Industry UsageIT departments, cybersecurity firms, tech companiesFinancial institutions, government agencies, corporate security teams

Junior Cybersecurity Engineers focus on implementing and maintaining security systems, while Cybersecurity Analysts primarily monitor and analyze security threats. Both roles require similar certifications and are integral to cybersecurity teams, but they differ in daily responsibilities and focus areas.

What are popular job titles related to Junior Cybersecurity Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN? For Junior Cybersecurity Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Junior Cybersecurity Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN look for? The top searched job categories for Junior Cybersecurity Engineer jobs in Oak Ridge, TN are:
What cities near Oak Ridge, TN are hiring for Junior Cybersecurity Engineer jobs? Cities near Oak Ridge, TN with the most Junior Cybersecurity Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Junior Cybersecurity Engineer job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,643 per year, or $33 per hour.

Kubernetes Software Engineer

ITR

Oak Ridge, TN • Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

  • Fully remote opportunity
  • Must be eligible for a federal security clearance (U.S. Citizenship is required)

Kubernetes Platform Software Engineer
As a Platform Software Engineer, you will design, implement, and maintain the custom Kubernetes operators underpinning the on-premises Kubernetes clusters, with a strong focus on scalability, reliability, and maintainability. You will assist with Kubernetes infrastructure automation via the creation of tooling and processes. You will advise on the technical direction and implementation of the internal team's software engineering initiatives, evaluate and integrate key technologies, and provide mentorship to the junior engineers for software development.
Key Responsibilities
  • Custom Kubernetes operator development
  • Design, implement, maintain, modify, and test custom Kubernetes operators written in Go and/or Ansible
  • Enhance existing software development processes, practices, and standards. Test environments to evaluate tooling based on performance, feature set, and maintainability—especially for components that must work reliably with on-premise hardware and OS requirements.
  • Support the use and understanding of in-house Kubernetes operators and serve as a maintainer for those controllers.
  • Architecture & Infrastructure as Code and Tooling
  • Develop and implement an Architecture as Code process for the Slate platform
  • Write and maintain infrastructure and deployment code using tools such as ArgoCD (GitOps), Puppet (OS management), Go, Python, Bash, Ansible, Terraform, and GitLab CI.
  • Engage with development teams to understand platform needs and tailor the cluster experience to meet evolving requirements.
  • Technical Leadership for Software Engineering
  • Provide software development, guidance, code reviews, and pair programming support to a team of 11 engineers.
  • Contribute to onboarding, team documentation, and process improvement initiatives.
  • Act as a go-to technical expert for all Kubernetes custom operator questions across the engineering organization.
Collaboration
  • Partner closely with internal cybersecurity and development teams to ensure the platform's custom operators meet security, compliance, and usability expectations.
  • Participate in cross-functional projects related to platform enhancements, cluster lifecycle automation, and infrastructure provisioning.
Key Technologies & Tools
  • Languages: Go, Python, Bash
  • CI/CD: GitLab CI, ArgoCD
  • IaC/Config Management: Puppet, Helm, Ansible
  • Kubernetes & Ecosystem: On-prem K8s, Custom Operators, Service Mesh, k8s architecture
  • Operating Systems: Linux-based OS management at the hardware level, strong Linux sysadmin skills
What Sets This Role Apart
  • Deep involvement in designing on-prem Kubernetes infrastructure, with full ownership from OS/hardware layer up to service-level automation.
  • A platform-first approach to engineering that balances security, developer experience, and operational scalability.
  • Strong mentorship and team enablement focus—guiding engineers while staying hands-on with architecture and implementation.