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Security Operations Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

C3EL

Security Operations Engineer - Senior

Washington, DC · On-site

$129K - $177K/yr

Security Operations Engineer - Senior Location : Washington, DC (Due to the nature of the work and contract requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required. ) Description: C3EL is seeking a Senior ...

C3EL

Security Operations Engineer - Senior

Washington, DC

$129K - $177K/yr

Security Operations Engineer - Senior Location : Washington, DC (Due to the nature of the work and contract requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required. ) Description: C3EL is seeking a Senior ...

C3EL

Security Operations Engineer - Senior

Washington, DC

$129K - $177K/yr

Security Operations Engineer - Senior Location : Washington, DC (Due to the nature of the work and contract requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required. ) Description: C3EL is seeking a Senior ...

C3EL

Security Operations Engineer - Senior

Washington, DC · On-site

$129K - $177K/yr

C3EL is seeking a Senior Security Operations Engineer to support security initiatives in Washington, DC. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining secure systems and ...

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All JobsSecurity Operations Engineer JobsSecurity Operations Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Security Operations Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$34.9K

$143.3K

$181K

How much do security operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for security operations engineer in Reston, VA is $143,304.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,500.00 and $180,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectSecurity Operations EngineerSecurity Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEHCompTIA Security+, GIAC Security Essentials
Work EnvironmentHands-on security infrastructure management, incident responseMonitoring, analyzing security data, reporting
Employer & Industry UsageIT security teams in various industries, focusing on security operations

The Security Operations Engineer focuses on managing security systems and responding to incidents, while the Security Analyst primarily monitors security data and analyzes threats. Both roles require similar certifications and work closely within security teams, but their daily tasks differ in scope and focus.

What are some of the main challenges Security Operations Engineers face when responding to security incidents?

Security Operations Engineers often face challenges such as quickly identifying genuine threats among large volumes of security alerts, coordinating responses across multiple teams, and containing incidents before they escalate. Balancing thorough investigation with the need for rapid action can be demanding, especially in high-pressure situations. Additionally, staying updated on emerging threats and ensuring compliance with security protocols are ongoing responsibilities that require continuous learning and adaptability.

What Does a Security Operations Engineer Do?

As a security operations engineer, your job is to monitor a network or system and help implement new methods of protection and data recovery. In this role, you may conduct a vulnerability assessment for each emerging threat, coordinate with other security specialists, and help develop responses with industry peers. This job title refers to maintaining network security systems and should not be confused with non-electronic security operations, such as safeguarding VIPs or facilities. A security operations engineer works regular hours, but employers may call you in for emergency help as needed. This position usually reports to someone, such as a chief information security officer. You may occasionally brief executives or other managers on relevant topics, so presentation skills are helpful.

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

To thrive as a Security Operations Engineer, you need a solid understanding of network security, incident response, and vulnerability management, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with SIEM tools (like Splunk or QRadar), firewalls, IDS/IPS, and certifications such as CISSP or CompTIA Security+ are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you quickly detect and respond to security threats while collaborating with teams. These skills are crucial to proactively safeguarding organizational assets, minimizing risks, and ensuring swift recovery from security incidents.

What does a Security Operations Engineer do?

A Security Operations Engineer is responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity threats within an organization. They manage security tools, investigate incidents, and work to protect systems and data from unauthorized access or attacks. Their duties often include analyzing security alerts, conducting vulnerability assessments, and implementing security improvements. Security Operations Engineers also collaborate with IT and other teams to ensure the organization's security posture is robust and up to date.
More about Security Operations Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Security Operations Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? For Security Operations Engineer jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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Security Operations Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Security Operations Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,304 per year, or $68.9 per hour.
Security Operations Engineer

Security Operations Engineer

DataAnnotation

Washington, DC • Remote

$40 - $75/hr

Part-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Join the DataAnnotation team and contribute to developing cutting-edge AI systems, while enjoying the flexibility of remote work and setting your own schedule.

We are looking for experienced cybersecurity professionals to help advance AI development. Cybersecurity platforms are increasingly powered by AI — but these systems still need practitioners with real-world experience to validate whether the outputs actually hold up in practice. That's where you come in.

As a member of DataAnnotation's team, you'll work closely with state-of-the-art AI models on tasks like evaluating AI-generated security content, solving technical security problems, and providing feedback that directly shapes how these systems reason about real-world threats and defenses. Some team members fit this work alongside a full-time role, while others treat it as their primary focus.

To get started, once you sign up for an account, you'll take a short assessment (this serves as our version of an interview). If you pass, you'll receive an email confirmation and paid work will become available to you through our platform.

Benefits:

  • Fully remote: work from anywhere in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
  • Flexible schedule: choose which projects you take on and when you work.
  • Projects are paid hourly starting at $50-75+/hr, with bonuses for high-quality and high-volume work
  • Impact: help shape the future of AI technologies built for cybersecurity.

Responsibilities:

  • Evaluate AI-generated cybersecurity content — including threat analysis, vulnerability assessments, and offensive security techniques — for real-world accuracy and validity.
  • Design and solve security-focused technical problems used to train AI systems.
  • Write clear technical explanations and security-relevant code.
  • Provide feedback that directly shapes the next generation of AI security models.

Qualifications:

  • 2+ years of hands-on experience in a cybersecurity role — such as penetration testing, red teaming, incident response, detection engineering, DFIR, malware analysis, threat intelligence, or adjacent fields, including government or military cyber operations.
  • Some coding experience required; comfort navigating and patching a codebase is key.
  • Fluency in English (native or bilingual level) with strong writing skills.
  • A bachelor's degree is preferred.
  • Cybersecurity certifications are a plus (e.g., OSCP, CRTO, GREM, GCFA, CEH, and similar).

Note: Payment is made via PayPal. We will never ask for any money from you. This job is only available to those in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

#cybersecurity