Entry Level Security Operations Analyst Jobs Near Me

Job Posting End Date
07-19-2026
Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.
Job Summary
Responsible for large-scale security assignments providing direction to other team members. Responsible for gathering, investigating, and analyzing very complex security requirements, processes, and incidents. Leads analysis of security controls assessments (internal and third party) through application security testing, penetration testing or other means to ensure controls effectiveness. Leads the identification and documentation of potential mitigations /remediations and ensures report creation of findings with identified risk response. Responsible for the conceptual design of implementation strategies on assigned security projects/activities. Leads advanced level implementation, support, and/or usage of technical solutions. Leads others in advanced problem solving, decision-making, and functional area knowledge. Mentors and provides functional/technical work direction to team.
Job Description
Responsible for integrating, optimizing, and operationalizing artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities within the security operations center. This role bridges cybersecurity operations and advanced analytics, leveraging AI-driven tools to enhance threat detection, automate response workflows, and improve overall security posture. The analyst will work closely with SOC analysts, detection engineering, and data teams to ensure AI solutions are effectively deployed, tuned and aligned with real-world security use cases.
What You'll Do:
Essential Job Functions & Tasks

• Design and enhance fusion center capabilities by integrating cross-domain intelligence, improving visibility, and enabling enterprise-wide situational awareness and decision making.
• Develop and deploy AI models to support alert triage, prioritization and anomaly detection.
• Design, implement and maintain AI driven detection and response capabilities within the SOC.
• Analyze large scale security telemetry to identify patterns, threats and opportunities for detection improvement.
• Collaborate with SOC analysts and engineers to identify and implement AI-assisted decision making.
• Integrate AI-driven enrichment and correlation into existing security tooling.
• Automate repetitive SOC tasks using AI and scripting.
• Create dashboard and metrics to measure SOC performance improvements.
• Support development of AI assisted investigation workflows and SOC copilots.

• Apply a creative, analytical mindset to SOC operations, intelligence, and physical/cyber security data, developing new approaches to identify trends, risks, and actionable insights.
• Monitor model performance, reduce false positives/negatives, and continuously improve detection quality.
• Partner with data engineers to ensure proper data ingestion, normalization, and feature engineering.
• Document AI use cases, workflows and operational playbooks.
• Stay current on emerging threats, adversary tactics and advancements in AI for cybersecurity.

Nice-to-have

• Advanced experience with machine learning, data science or AI applications in security.
• Ability to analyze threat patterns and assess enterprise impact.
• Hands on experience with SIEM platforms.
• Experience with scripting or programming.
• Familiarity with MITRE ATT&CK, MITRE ATLAS and common adversary tactics and techniques.
• Exposure to SOAR platforms and security automation workflows.
• Experience working with large datasets, log analysis, or telemetry pipelines.
• Strong interpersonal, investigative, and critical thinking skills.
• Adaptable to changing priorities and high-pressure environments.
• Active or eligible for SECRET DoD clearance.

Certifications:

• SANS GCIA, GCIH, GAIPS, GASAE, GOAA
• CAISP
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• AWS Certified Machine Learning
• IBM Certified AI Engineer

What We're Looking For:
Security Spec Sr (SG7)
Education requirements are listed below:

• Bachelor's degree OR Associates degree with 2 years relevant experience in system administration/help desk/security (cyber or physical) OR High School Diploma/GED with 3 years relevant experience in IT system administration/help desk/security (cyber or physical); OR graduation from an approved Cybersecurity Program; alternatively may have non-degree qualifications (such as hands-on demonstrated ability in a technical interview/assessment).

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• 2 or more years of Information Technology related experience; OR 1 or more years of security related experience, which may include military/government work experience in addition to any experience identified above.

Security Spec Prin (SG8)
Education requirements are listed below:

• Bachelor's degree OR Associates degree with 2 years relevant experience in system administration/help desk/security (cyber or physical) OR High School Diploma/GED with 4 years relevant experience in IT system administration/help desk/security (cyber or physical); OR graduation from an approved Cybersecurity Program; alternatively may have non-degree qualifications (such as hands-on demonstrated ability in a technical interview/assessment).

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• 4 or more years of Information Technology related experience; OR 2 or more years of security related experience, which may include military/government work experience in addition to any experience identified above.

Security Spec Lead (SG9)
Education requirements are listed below:

• Bachelor's degree OR Associates degree with 2 years relevant experience in system administration/help desk/security (cyber or physical) OR High School Diploma/GED with 4 years relevant experience in IT system administration/help desk/security (cyber or physical).

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• 7 or more years of Information Technology related experience; OR 5 or more years of security related experience, which may include military/government work experience in addition to any experience identified above.

Security Spec Staff (SG10)
Education requirements are listed below:

• Bachelor's degree OR Associates degree with 2 years relevant experience in system administration/help desk/security (cyber or physical) OR High School Diploma/GED with 4 years relevant experience in IT system administration/help desk/security (cyber or physical).

Work Experience requirement listed below:

• 10 or more years of Information Technology related experience OR 8 or more years of security related experience, which may include military/government work experience in addition to any experience identified above.

What You'll Get:
Base Salary from $87,633.00 - $177,503.00 /year. In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.
At AEP, we're more than just an energy company - we're a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!
Compensation Data
Compensation Grade:
SP20-009
Compensation Range:
$87,633.00 - $177,503.00
The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S - Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
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It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.