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Principal Cyber Security Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Principal Cyber Security Engineer information

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$103K

$134.3K

$168K

How much do principal cyber security engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal cyber security engineer in the United States is $134,293.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,000.00 and $148,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges Principal Cyber Security Engineers face when leading cross-functional security initiatives?

Principal Cyber Security Engineers often encounter the challenge of balancing security priorities with business objectives, especially when collaborating with IT, development, and executive teams. Ensuring effective communication across departments is essential, as technical security requirements must be translated for non-technical stakeholders. Additionally, staying updated with rapidly evolving threat landscapes and integrating new security protocols without disrupting existing operations can be demanding. Successfully navigating these challenges requires strong leadership, adaptability, and a collaborative approach.

What is the difference between Principal Cyber Security Engineer vs Cyber Security Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Cyber Security EngineerCyber Security Engineer
Certifications CISSP, CISM, CEHCompTIA Security+, CEH, CISSP (preferred)
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, strategic planning, cross-team collaborationImplementation, monitoring, technical support
Employer & Industry UsageLarge enterprises, government agencies, financial institutionsTech companies, startups, mid-sized firms
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior-level responsibilities, career progressionEntry to mid-level roles, technical skills

The Principal Cyber Security Engineer typically holds senior certifications, leads strategic security initiatives, and works in large organizations. In contrast, a Cyber Security Engineer focuses on implementing security measures and supporting security systems. Both roles require technical expertise, but the Principal role emphasizes leadership and strategic planning.

What is a Principal Cyber Security Engineer?

A Principal Cyber Security Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing an organization's cybersecurity strategy and systems. They lead teams in identifying security risks, developing advanced security measures, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. This role often involves collaborating with stakeholders, mentoring junior engineers, and staying updated on emerging threats and technologies. Principal Cyber Security Engineers play a critical role in protecting sensitive information and maintaining the overall security posture of an organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Principal Cyber Security Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Cyber Security Engineer, you need advanced expertise in network security, risk assessment, threat modeling, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related field, along with relevant industry certifications such as CISSP or CISM. Proficiency with security information and event management (SIEM) tools, penetration testing frameworks, and cloud security platforms is essential. Strong leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills are crucial for guiding teams and influencing security strategies across the organization. These skills and qualities are vital to proactively defend against evolving threats, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive enterprise-wide security initiatives.
More about Principal Cyber Security Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Cyber Security Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Principal Cyber Security Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Principal Cyber Security Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Cyber Security Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Principal Cyber Security Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,293 per year, or $64.6 per hour.
AI Principal Cybersecurity Engineer

AI Principal Cybersecurity Engineer

Zions Bancorporation

Midvale, UT • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago


Zions Bancorporation rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

22nd of 141 rated banks


Job description

Zions Bancorporation is transforming what it means to work for a financial institution. With a commitment to technology and innovation, we have been providing our community, clients and colleagues with the best experience possible for over 150 years. Help us transform our workforce of the future, today.
Zions Bancorporation is seeking a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer to design and implement strategies for securing the Bank against AI threats. This position will report directly to the Director of Cybersecurity Operations and will focus on mitigation of AI threats to the technology stack: Open-source, supply chain attacks, network intrusion, and other novel techniques for AI-driven compromise. In addition, the Engineer will provide consultative guidance to counterparts in the Technology organization to implement a strategy for risk mitigation. Critical success factors for the role include the ability to lead through technical excellence and collaboration, work cross-functionally across multiple cyber and technology disciplines, and coordinate progress in simultaneous initiatives.
Responsibilities:
  • Operate at the intersection of open-source software, AI security (offensive and defensive), and vulnerability management to support governance and proactive and reactive remediation activities that reduce the Bank's exposure to cybersecurity vulnerabilities
  • Develop strategy and tooling capability for CTEM (Continuous Threat Exposure Management) aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework and monitor the operation of continuous exposure management across software and IT infrastructure
  • Provide technical direction to integrate cyber functions to operate in an AI paradigm across Offensive Security/Red Team, Vulnerability Management, Incident Response, Identity, and other cybersecurity functions
  • Liaise and provide consultative guidance to collective stakeholders (Application Security, Vulnerability Management, Software Engineering, OSS Governance) on leading practices for securing our software stack from AI-driven exploit paths

Qualifications:
  • 8+ years of enterprise-level experience in one or more of cybersecurity, software engineering, technology infrastructure
  • Extensive knowledge of the open-source software ecosystem, licenses, and enterprise approaches for governing OSS
  • Ability to work collaboratively and provide technical leadership with peer functions across software engineering, open-source governance, release engineering, enterprise architecture, etc.
  • Demonstrated accountability working independently in a high-discretion, low supervision environment to deliver timely and quality results
  • Familiarity with leading commercial and open-weight LLMs and potential application to CTEM, red teaming, exploitation, and OSS vulnerability identification
  • Experience with data models, data lakes, and SIEM
  • Understanding of software engineering principles and software development lifecycle
  • Proficiency in software vulnerability scanning and exploitation, including familiarity with various types of scanning (SCA, SAST, DAST, penetration testing)
  • Proficiency in one or more software languages is a big plus
  • Red Team experience is a plus

Location:
This position has a hybrid work from home schedule with a minimum of three days per week in the office at the new Zions Technology Center in Midvale, UT
The Zions Technology Center is a 400,000-square-foot technology campus in Midvale, Utah. Located on the former Sharon Steel Mill superfund site, the sustainably built campus is the company's primary technology and operations center. This modern and environmentally friendly technology center enables Zions to compete for the best technology talent in the state while providing team members with an exceptional work environment with features such as:
  • Electric vehicle charging stations and close proximity to Historic Gardner Village UTA TRAX station.
  • At least 75% of the building is powered by on-site renewable solar energy.
  • Access to outdoor recreation, parks, trails, shareable bikes and locker rooms.
  • Large modern cafe with a healthy and diverse menu.
  • Healthy indoor environment with ample natural light and fresh air.
  • LEED-certified sustainable building that features include the use of low VOC-emitting construction materials.

Benefits:
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - START DAY ONE!
  • Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
  • Health Savings (HSA), Flexible Spending (FSA), and dependent care accounts
  • Paid Training, Paid Time Off (PTO) and 11 Paid Federal Holidays
  • 401(k) plan with company match, Profit Sharing, competitive compensation in line with work experience
  • Mental health benefits including coaching and therapy sessions
  • Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying employees
  • Employee Ambassador preferred banking products
  • Employees may, at the company's discretion, be eligible to receive a cash bonus award

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