1

Security Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Senior Security Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$140K - $180K/yr

ECS is seeking a Senior Security Engineer to work in our Arlington, VA (hybrid) office. We are looking for a talented Senior Security Engineer who is passionate about building, securing, and ...

Ardent is seeking a Lead Security Engineer to join our team. This is a hybrid position located in Rockville, MD. Position Description: Ardent is seeking a Lead Security Engineer to provide technical ...

As a Security Engineer on the Talos Security Operations Team, you will work to protect assets, systems, and intellectual property from threats and vulnerabilities. You will monitor network and system ...

Senior Security Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$160K - $190K/yr

The Senior Security Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced security solutions to protect federal systems and data. This role prioritizes continuous monitoring ...

Senior Security Engineer

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$129K - $177K/yr

The Senior Security Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced security solutions to protect federal systems and data. This role prioritizes continuous monitoring ...

Security Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

The Senior Security Engineer serves as the primary cybersecurity technical authority supporting system engineering, cloud architecture, DevSecOps pipelines, compliance initiatives, and operational ...

As a Security Engineer on the Talos Security Operations Team, you will work to protect assets, systems, and intellectual property from threats and vulnerabilities. You will monitor network and system ...

Senior Security Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$129K - $177K/yr

The Senior Security Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced security solutions to protect federal systems and data. This role prioritizes continuous monitoring ...

Security Engineer

Scaggsville, MD · On-site

$138.10 - $198.20/hr

As a Security Engineer on the Talos Security Operations Team, you will work to protect assets, systems, and intellectual property from threats and vulnerabilities. You will monitor network and system ...

Security Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$140K - $155K/yr

The Security Engineer implements and operates security controls on AWS. You will perform security testing, support ATO evidence and continuous monitoring, and remediate findings, helping keep a high ...

Senior Security Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$160K - $190K/yr

The Senior Security Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced security solutions to protect federal systems and data. This role prioritizes continuous monitoring ...

Security Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$140K - $155K/yr

The Security Engineer implements and operates security controls on AWS. You will perform security testing, support ATO evidence and continuous monitoring, and remediate findings, helping keep a high ...

Security Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$140K - $155K/yr

The Security Engineer implements and operates security controls on AWS. You will perform security testing, support ATO evidence and continuous monitoring, and remediate findings, helping keep a high ...

C. for a Security Engineer Location: Washington D.C. Duration: 4 year contract Must be U.S. Citizen Rate: $63 to $70 per hour (convert after 6 months) The security engineering position provides ...

As a security engineer on our team, you'll evaluate and support the documentation, validation, assessment, and accreditation processes necessary to ensure that Information Technology (IT) systems ...

Network Security Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

Network Security Engineer LOCATION: Annapolis,MD DURATION: 5 Years SUMMARY SECTION III. SCOPE OF WORK The AOC is seeking proposals from prospective Offerors to provide one (1) Network Security ...

Showing results 41-60

Security Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$69.7K

$173K

$232.7K

How much do security engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for security engineer in Washington is $173,030.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $162,000.00 and $179,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a security engineer?

A service provider is responsible for delivering professional quality services on behalf of a business or organization. The types of services vary depending on the businesses they work with. Many companies partner with experts in the local community to perform functions on their behalf rather than developing the expertise in-house. A service provider performs the services based on a written legal agreement and charges fees for their work.

How does a security engineer typically collaborate with other IT teams within an organization?

Security Engineers work closely with various IT teams such as network administrators, software developers, and system administrators to ensure security protocols are integrated at every level. This collaboration often involves conducting security assessments, reviewing code for vulnerabilities, and assisting with incident response. Regular meetings and cross-functional projects are common, as Security Engineers provide guidance on best practices and help teams understand potential threats. Effective communication and teamwork are key, as security is a shared responsibility across the organization.

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

To thrive as a Security Engineer, you need expertise in information security principles, network architecture, vulnerability assessment, and commonly a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like SIEM systems, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and certifications such as CISSP or CEH are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set outstanding Security Engineers apart. These competencies are essential to proactively protect organizations from cyber threats, ensure compliance, and minimize security risks.

What is the difference between Security Engineer vs Network Security Specialist?

AspectSecurity EngineerNetwork Security Specialist
Required CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEHCompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA Security, CISSP
Work EnvironmentDesigning, implementing, and maintaining security systems across IT infrastructureMonitoring, analyzing, and securing network traffic and infrastructure
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, finance, government agenciesTelecommunications, enterprise networks, cybersecurity firms

Security Engineers focus on developing and deploying security solutions across IT systems, while Network Security Specialists concentrate on protecting network infrastructure and traffic. Both roles require similar certifications and often work together to ensure comprehensive security.

Do security engineers need a degree?

Security engineers typically do not require a formal degree but often benefit from a background in computer science, information technology, or related fields. Many employers value certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or Security+ and practical experience with security tools and protocols. Continuous learning and hands-on skills are important in this role.

How much do security engineers earn?

Security engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $90,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications such as CISSP or CEH. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with specialized skills can earn over $150,000 annually.

What do you do as a security engineer?

A security engineer designs, implements, and maintains security systems to protect an organization’s networks, systems, and data from cyber threats. They analyze vulnerabilities, develop security protocols, and often use tools like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption. Certifications such as CISSP or CEH can enhance their effectiveness in this role.

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

The most popular types of Security Engineer jobs in Washington are:

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

The top searched job categories for Security Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Security Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Security Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Security Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $173,030 per year, or $83.2 per hour.

Senior Security Engineer

ECS

Arlington, VA • On-site, Remote

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

ECS is seeking a Senior Security Engineer to work in our Arlington, VA (hybrid) office.
We are looking for a talented Senior Security Engineer who is passionate about building, securing, and improving modern technology environments. Strong candidates will have deep hands-on experience across security engineering, cloud, Linux, networking, automation, and application security, with a desire to learn and work with emerging technologies.
This is a hands-on engineering role, not a compliance-focused ISSO position. The ideal candidate will be comfortable designing and implementing security controls, writing automation and tooling, troubleshooting complex technical issues, and partnering directly with engineering teams to build secure and resilient systems.
Responsibilities
  • Design, build, implement, and maintain security solutions across cloud, application, infrastructure, and containerized environments.
  • Identify vulnerabilities, attack paths, configuration weaknesses, and security gaps, and develop practical engineering solutions to remediate them.
  • Build and maintain security automation, tooling, scripts, and integrations using languages such as Python, Go, PowerShell, or Bash.
  • Engineer security controls for Linux systems, networks, cloud platforms, containers, Kubernetes, applications, and supporting infrastructure.
  • Develop and improve security monitoring, logging, detection, and response capabilities using system, application, network, and cloud telemetry.
  • Implement security into CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure-as-code workflows, and software development processes.
  • Partner with developers, DevOps engineers, cloud engineers, and system administrators to design solutions that are secure, scalable, maintainable, and operationally effective.
  • Perform hands-on security testing, technical assessments, configuration reviews, and troubleshooting of complex systems and applications.
  • Develop security tooling and integrations using APIs, automation frameworks, and native cloud services.
  • Secure microservices, APIs, containers, and distributed application architectures.
  • Harden operating systems, network services, cloud resources, and application platforms using security engineering best practices.
  • Analyze security data and metrics to identify trends, prioritize risk, and drive improvements to the security posture of the environment.
  • Research emerging threats, vulnerabilities, attack techniques, and security technologies and determine how they apply to the environment.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship while remaining actively involved in engineering and implementation work.

Salary Range: $140,000-$180,000
General Description of Benefit
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, or another technical discipline, or an associate degree with equivalent years of relevant technical experience.
  • At least 8 years of overall technical experience, including significant hands-on experience in several of the following areas:
    • Security Engineering
    • Unix/Linux Administration and Security
    • Network and Infrastructure Security
    • Cloud Engineering and Cloud Security
    • Application or Software Development
    • Security Automation and Scripting
    • Vulnerability Management and System Hardening
    • Container and Kubernetes Security
    • Security Monitoring, Detection, and Incident Response
  • Strong scripting or development experience in at least one language such as Python, Go, PowerShell, Bash, Perl, or similar.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot complex technical and security problems and implement solutions.
  • Ability to work directly with engineering teams and translate security requirements into practical technical controls.

Must successfully complete a stringent Background Investigation and obtain the required Government Security Clearance.