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Senior Protocol Engineer Jobs in Westerly, RI (NOW HIRING)

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Senior Protocol Engineer information

See Westerly, RI salary details

$59.9K

$127.5K

$184.8K

How much do senior protocol engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior protocol engineer in Westerly, RI is $127,485.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,300.00 and $144,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior protocol engineer do?

A Senior Protocol Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing communication protocols that enable secure and efficient data exchange over networks or within distributed systems. They work on developing new protocols or improving existing ones, often focusing on areas like blockchain, networking, or cryptography. Their role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, troubleshooting protocol-related issues, and ensuring that protocols are robust, scalable, and secure. Additionally, they may mentor junior engineers and contribute to open-source projects or standards bodies.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a senior protocol engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Protocol Engineer, you need in-depth knowledge of network protocols, distributed systems, cryptography, and strong programming skills, typically backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with protocol design tools, languages like Rust, Go, or C++, and experience with blockchain frameworks or RFC standards are often required. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills help in leading teams and navigating complex technical challenges. These abilities are crucial for designing secure, efficient protocols and ensuring reliable communication within advanced technology ecosystems.

How does a senior protocol engineer collaborate with cross-functional teams during the protocol development lifecycle?

As a Senior Protocol Engineer, collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential throughout the protocol development lifecycle. You will work closely with product managers to understand requirements, coordinate with security engineers to ensure protocol robustness, and partner with frontend/backend engineers to support implementation. Regular communication, code reviews, and design discussions are common, as you’ll often serve as a technical lead, guiding architecture decisions and ensuring alignment across teams. This collaborative approach helps ensure the protocol meets both technical and business objectives while maintaining high standards for security and performance.

What is the difference between Senior Protocol Engineer vs Network Engineer?

AspectSenior Protocol EngineerNetwork Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related, certifications like CCNP, CCIEBachelor's in Computer Science, certifications like CCNA, CCNP
Work EnvironmentDesigning, analyzing, and optimizing network protocols, often in R&D or specialized teamsManaging and maintaining network infrastructure, troubleshooting connectivity issues
Industry UsageTelecommunications, data centers, networking hardware companiesIT departments, service providers, enterprise networks

The Senior Protocol Engineer focuses on developing and optimizing network protocols, requiring deep technical expertise. In contrast, a Network Engineer manages and maintains network infrastructure, ensuring connectivity and performance. Both roles require relevant certifications and work in related environments, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

Infographic showing various Senior Protocol Engineer job openings in Westerly, RI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, and 29% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $127,485 per year, or $61.3 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


First Citizens Bank rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 106 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

106th of 171 rated banks


Job description

Overview
This position ensures the technological and digital security of the Bank at a high level of ability and technical expertise. Mitigates exposure to cyber threats, security risks, and unauthorized access. Assesses organizational networks, applications, or systems for potential vulnerabilities. Protects assets and information through a variety of methods, resolving security issues or incidents as they arise. Maintains a strong knowledge of industry practices, technology, and evolving threats in order to enhance defenses for the Bank's information systems and resources. May oversee less experienced associates in the work group.
Responsibilities & Qualifications
Duties & Responsibilities:
Technical Security - Administers tools or processes that secure assigned technical areas and data. Participates in security audits, identifies security gaps, and develops and implements risk mitigation solutions. Ensures compliance with necessary protocols, configurations, or procedures.
Analysis - Identifies and evaluates identify potential threats or vulnerabilities in the Bank's networks, applications, or systems. Compiles data from external or internal sources. Creates actionable intelligence based on review of analysis.
Security Expertise - Maintains a current knowledge of technology, emerging threats, and security trends within the assigned technical area. Provides guidance on appropriate security protocols. Leads technical projects and may serve as a resource to other business units. Ensures team members are trained on the current trends, threats, and applicable technologies.
Issue Resolution - Investigates and resolves complex, escalated security incidents which may include unauthorized access, malware infections, configuration anomalies, cyber attacks, and other risks.
Business Strategy - Assists senior leadership in the development of security policies, standards, and strategies.
Position Specific Skills:
Knowledge of data security practices, procedures. monitoring and alert tools (SCCM, SCOM, and Splunk), and risk management standards
Knowledge of Active Directory administration and user provisioning, Domain Name System, Group Policy Objects, New Technology File System permissions, File Shares, SharePoint, Domain controllers, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, data loss prevention technologies, encryption technologies, and single sign on technologies
Knowledge of Identity and Access Management concepts and technologies
Ability to clearly communicate risks, threats, and vulnerabilities identified during assessments
Availability to provide after-hours operational support on a rotational basis, with minimal travel
Qualifications:
Minimum Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree and 6 years' experience OR High School Diploma or GED/Equivalent and 10 years' experience in Systems Engineering, Network, or Information Security
Preferred Education:
Preferred Area of Study:
Preferred Area of Experience:
Required Licenses or Certifications:
Preferred Licenses or Certifications:
Additional Information

Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 6 years of experience in systems engineering, networking or information security technologies -OR- High school diploma or GED with a minimum of 10 years of experience in systems engineering, networking or information security technologies

Required Skills:

- Working knowledge of federated authentication protocols, including SAML and OpenID Connect (OIDC)

- Demonstrated experience automating repetitive security or identity tasks

Preferred / Nice-to-Have:

- Scripting and automation experience using PowerShell

- Python scripting experience

- Experience with one or more enterprise IAM/SSO platforms (e.g., Okta, Ping)

- Familiarity with step-up / adaptive authentication concepts

- Exposure to Infrastructure as Code practices (e.g., Terraform)

- Experience building identity or security workflow automations (e.g., Okta Workflows)

- Familiarity with passwordless technologies (e.g., Windows Hello, Okta FastPass)

- Familiarity with identity threat protection tools (e.g., Silverfort)

Benefits are an integral part of total rewards and First Citizens Bank is committed to providing a competitive, thoughtfully designed and quality benefits program to meet the needs of our associates. More information can be found at https://jobs.firstcitizens.com/benefits.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 6 years of experience in systems engineering, networking or information security technologies -OR- High school diploma or GED with a minimum of 10 years of experience in systems engineering, networking or information security technologies

Required Skills:

- Working knowledge of federated authentication protocols, including SAML and OpenID Connect (OIDC)

- Demonstrated experience automating repetitive security or identity tasks

Preferred / Nice-to-Have:

- Scripting and automation experience using PowerShell

- Python scripting experience

- Experience with one or more enterprise IAM/SSO platforms (e.g., Okta, Ping)

- Familiarity with step-up / adaptive authentication concepts

- Exposure to Infrastructure as Code practices (e.g., Terraform)

- Experience building identity or security workflow automations (e.g., Okta Workflows)

- Familiarity with passwordless technologies (e.g., Windows Hello, Okta FastPass)

- Familiarity with identity threat protection tools (e.g., Silverfort)

Benefits are an integral part of total rewards and First Citizens Bank is committed to providing a competitive, thoughtfully designed and quality benefits program to meet the needs of our associates. More information can be found at https://jobs.firstcitizens.com/benefits.

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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