Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineer

The University of South Dakota is seeking an experienced, hands-on Cybersecurity Engineer to join its established enterprise cybersecurity program. This position is ideal for a cybersecurity professional who enjoys solving complex technical problems, investigating security threats, engineering security solutions, and using automation and artificial intelligence to improve security operations. Working directly with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), the Cybersecurity Engineer will play an important role in operating, optimizing, and advancing the university's cybersecurity capabilities.

USD operates a modern, integrated security environment built around Microsoft DefenderXDR, Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Purview, Microsoft 365, and Cisco security technologies. The university is also advancing AI-enabled security operations, integrating automation and intelligent security agents into threat detection, investigation, and response.

We are looking for an experienced professional who can make meaningful technical contributions from the outset, independently investigate security threats, implement security improvements, and work effectively within a small, highly technical security team.

What You'll Do

• Security Operations: Investigate and respond to security incidents using Microsoft DefenderXDR, Microsoft Sentinel, CiscoXDR, and related security technologies.
• Security Engineering: Configure, maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize enterprise security controls across endpoints, identities, networks, cloud services, and data environments.
• Automation and AI: Develop automated investigation and response workflows using scripting, APIs, orchestration tools, and emerging AI-enabled security technologies.
• Threat Detection and Hunting: Develop and refine detection rules, KQL queries, alert correlations, dashboards, and investigation procedures.
• Vulnerability Management: Identify, prioritize, and coordinate the remediation of security vulnerabilities across enterprise systems.
• Identity and Data Protection: Support technical security controls within Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Purview, and Microsoft 365.
• Incident Response: Work with internal IT teams and external security partners to investigate, contain, and remediate cybersecurity incidents.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to strengthen existing security configurations, integrate technologies, and reduce manual operational effort.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking an experienced engineer who has already worked directly with enterprise security technologies and can independently execute technical security responsibilities. Required qualifications include five or more years of relevant professional IT or cybersecurity experience, including at least three years in hands-on cybersecurity operations or engineering. Practical experience investigating and responding to cybersecurity incidents in an enterprise environment is also required.

Hands-on experience administering or operating Microsoft DefenderXDR or comparable enterprise endpoint detection and response technologies is necessary. Experience using a SIEM platform to investigate security events, correlate data, and analyze threats is also required. Demonstrated ability to investigate technical security problems and implement effective remediation is essential. Experience with vulnerability management and risk-based remediation is preferred.

Working knowledge of security scripting, APIs, or automation technologies is required. Ability to independently manage technical assignments, troubleshoot security issues, and collaborate with infrastructure and application teams is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

Hands-on experience with Microsoft DefenderXDR, Microsoft Sentinel, and Kusto Query Language (KQL). Experience with Microsoft Purview, Entra ID, Conditional Access, and Microsoft 365 security. Experience with Cisco Secure Access, CiscoXDR, or related Cisco security platforms. Experience using PowerShell, Python, Power Automate, Logic Apps, or security orchestration technologies. Familiarity with AI-enabled cybersecurity tools, Microsoft Security Copilot, Copilot Studio, or agent-based security automation. Experience integrating multiple security technologies through APIs or automated workflows. Experience working with managed detection and response providers. Certifications such as Microsoft SC-200, Security+, CySA+, CISSP, or equivalent.

Why Join USD Cybersecurity?

Work with modern technology. Gain extensive hands-on experience with integrated Microsoft and Cisco security platforms, security automation, and emerging AI-driven security operations. Make a direct impact. Work within a small security team where your expertise and technical contributions directly influence the institution's security posture. Engineer solutions, not just tickets. Take ownership of technical investigations, security improvements, automation, and operational engineering. Work directly with security leadership. Collaborate closely with the CISO on priorities, technical solutions, and continuous security improvement. Be part of an evolving security operation. Help advance an established cybersecurity program that is actively incorporating automation, AI-assisted investigations, and intelligent security agents.

The University of South Dakota offers a collaborative higher education environment and an opportunity to apply advanced cybersecurity skills in support of education, research, and public service. The position may require occasional after-hours work and participation in an on-call rotation. Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.