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Security Automation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Troubleshoot, document, and continuously improve deployment, monitoring, and security automation ... Share learnings and best practices across the DevOps organization to reduce silos and accelerate ...

Automation Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$115K - $125K/yr

We are seeking an Automation Engineer to work across our DevOps teams, building broad expertise in ... Troubleshoot, document, and continuously improve deployment, monitoring, and security automation ...

Description We are seeking an Automation Engineer to work together across our DevOps teams ... Troubleshoot, document, and continuously improve deployment, monitoring, and security automation ...

Troubleshoot, document, and continuously improve deployment, monitoring, and security automation ... Share learnings and best practices across the DevOps organization to reduce silos and accelerate ...

Partner with Security and Platform Engineering to define certification criteria and compliance ... Experience in automation engineering, building scalable workflows and reusable frameworks. Proven ...

As a Vulnerability Automation Engineer, you will design, build, and operate lights-off pipelines ... Develop and operationalize automated configuration hardening pipelines that enforce security ...

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Security Automation Engineer information

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$37K

$107.1K

$163K

How much do security automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for security automation engineer in the United States is $107,126.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,500.00 and $123,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a security Automation Engineer do?

A Security Automation Engineer designs and implements automated solutions to identify, respond to, and prevent security threats. They develop scripts and use security tools to streamline security operations, often working with technologies like SIEM systems and scripting languages such as Python. Their role helps improve the efficiency and effectiveness of cybersecurity defenses.

What is the difference between Security Automation Engineer vs Security Analyst?

AspectSecurity Automation EngineerSecurity Analyst
Required CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP, or similarCompTIA Security+, GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC), or similar
Work EnvironmentFocus on developing and implementing security automation tools and scriptsMonitor security alerts, analyze threats, and respond to incidents
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in organizations aiming to automate security processesCommon in security operations centers (SOCs) for threat detection

The Security Automation Engineer primarily develops automated security solutions to improve efficiency, while the Security Analyst monitors and analyzes security events. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in daily tasks and focus areas within cybersecurity teams.

Can you make $500,000 a year in cyber security?

Security Automation Engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in scripting and automation tools, and specialized certifications can potentially earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in senior or leadership roles within high-paying industries or organizations. However, such compensation is uncommon and typically requires a combination of expertise, strategic position, and sometimes geographic location or company size.

Will AI replace Automation Engineer?

AI can automate many tasks within a Security Automation Engineer's role, such as scripting, threat detection, and incident response. However, human oversight, strategic planning, and complex decision-making remain essential, so AI is more likely to augment rather than fully replace the role. Skills in scripting, security protocols, and understanding AI tools are valuable for this position.

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

To thrive as a Security Automation Engineer, you need a solid background in cybersecurity principles, scripting/programming (such as Python or PowerShell), and experience with security frameworks, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications like CISSP or CEH. Familiarity with security information and event management (SIEM) systems, automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform), and vulnerability scanning platforms is crucial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and clear communication help you develop reliable automation solutions and collaborate with cross-functional teams. These skills and qualities are essential for proactively detecting threats, reducing manual workload, and maintaining robust security postures in dynamic environments.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior security automation engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in tools like scripting, cloud platforms, and security frameworks can reach salaries of $500,000 or higher, especially in high-demand industries or senior leadership roles. Achieving this level often requires a combination of technical skill, strategic responsibility, and years of experience.

What types of projects can a Security Automation Engineer expect to work on in a typical week?

As a Security Automation Engineer, you can expect to work on projects such as developing and maintaining automated scripts for security monitoring, integrating security tools into CI/CD pipelines, and creating response playbooks for incident management. You may also collaborate with DevOps and IT teams to ensure security processes are seamless and scalable across the organization. Daily tasks often involve troubleshooting automation workflows, analyzing security alerts, and identifying opportunities to improve detection and response times. This role provides a dynamic environment where you'll continuously learn and adapt to new technologies and threats.

What is a Security Automation Engineer?

A Security Automation Engineer is a professional who designs, develops, and implements automated solutions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of cybersecurity operations. They create scripts, tools, and systems that automate repetitive security tasks such as threat detection, incident response, and vulnerability management. By leveraging automation, they help organizations respond to threats faster and reduce manual effort, minimizing human error. Security Automation Engineers often work closely with security analysts, IT teams, and developers to integrate automation into existing security workflows.
More about Security Automation Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Security Automation Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Security Automation Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Security Automation Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Security Automation Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Security Automation Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Contract. Highlights an 65% In-person, 15% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,126 per year, or $51.5 per hour.
Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer

SAIC

Arlington, VA • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


SAIC rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 78 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 204 rated it services


Job description

Job ID: 2613237

Location: Arlington, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-06-03

Category: Software

Subcategory: DevSecOps

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: No

Minimum Clearance Required: Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_HYBRID


Description

We are seeking an Automation Engineer to work together across our DevOps teams, building broad expertise in infrastructure automation, CI/CD, and platform support. You’ll have a designated team home but will routinely participate in cross-team projects, training, and knowledge sharing, gaining hands-on exposure to a diverse set of tooling and environments. 

This role requires 1 day each week onsite in Rosslyn, VA.

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Develop, maintain, and support CI/CD pipelines and automation in both cloud (GitLab, AWS, EKS, Terraform, Docker) and on-prem (Jenkins, OpenShift, Ansible) contexts. 
  • Participate in infrastructure provisioning and application deployment automation across both environments. 
  • Troubleshoot, document, and continuously improve deployment, monitoring, and security automation for all platforms. 
  • Engage with both the cloud and on-prem teams, proactively learning primary and secondary stacks through onboarding, peer programming, and joint solutioning. 
  • Share learnings and best practices across the DevOps organization to reduce silos and accelerate overall capability.

Qualifications

Required Education & Experience:

  • Bachelors and 5+ years or more experience; Masters and 3+ years; may accept additional experience in lieu of degree.
  • Experience developing, maintaining, and supporting CI/CD pipelines and automation in both cloud (GitLab, AWS, EKS, Terraform, Docker) and on-prem (Jenkins, OpenShift, Ansible) contexts. 

Required Clearance:

  • US Citizenship.
  • Active secret clearance. 


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