Lead Cyber Engineer

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The University of Southern California (USC) is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience, cyber risk management, and threat-informed defense. As a world-class research institution, is building a culture of security that supports its academic and research mission in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

This role sits within a newly restructured cybersecurity organization that's leading this transformation. You'll join a team focused on scalable, proactive defense strategies, incident preparedness, and operational excellence-working alongside experts who are deeply committed to service, innovation, and impact.

If you're driven by purpose, thrive in complexity, and want to help shape the future of cybersecurity at a leading university, we invite you to bring your leadership to the table.

POSITION SUMMARY

As the Lead Cyber Engineer you will be an integral leader of the cybersecurity department while also collaborating with stakeholders across the university ecosystem, and reporting to the Manager Cyber Engineering. This is a full-time exempt position, eligible for all of USC's fantastic Benefits + Perks. This opportunity is remote.

The Lead Cyber Engineer leads the daily operations of the cyber engineering team under the direction of the cyber engineering manager. Plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the university's operational technology (OT) and internet of things (IoT) systems. Supports the cyber defense team with technical configuration adjustments for security tools that defend against and identify cyber incidents. Oversees the design, implementation, configuration, and operational maintenance of key cybersecurity tools and technologies. Ensures security configurations and settings adhere to the university's cybersecurity architecture guidelines and industry best practices across all technology environments (e.g., cloud, network, OT, IoT). Provides input on cybersecurity engineering resource planning and assists in the development of operational processes and documentation related to key security tools. This individual will serve as a mentor and technical leader to cyber engineers.

The Lead Cyber Engineer will:

• Oversees the design, implementation, configuration, and operational maintenance of key cybersecurity tools and technologies (e.g., endpoint protection, key management, certificate management, data loss prevention). Leads cyber engineering team in daily operations, ensuring the effective deployment and management of cybersecurity technologies and infrastructure; provides guidance on complex issues and contributes to the resolution of escalated security incidents. Identifies and defines system security requirements.
• Oversees maintenance of security tools and implementation of security configurations and settings for various systems/environments (e.g., OT, IoT) across the university. Ensures security configurations and settings are effectively implemented, maintained, and aligned with established cybersecurity architecture guidelines and industry best practices. Leads the implementation and enforcement of zero trust security models for enterprise and industrial networks.
• Leads implementation of secure cloud and hybrid security infrastructure, ensuring data protection, identity management, and compliance. Integrates threat detection and monitoring tools for real-time-anomaly detections across IT and OT landscapes. Develops custom security configurations for OT and IT systems, as necessary, to harden against cyber threats. Ensures that endpoint devices, systems, servers, and OT/IoT devices are properly discovered, securely configured, maintained, and updated with the latest software and security patches.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to integrate cybersecurity measures into the broader IT infrastructure and support the university's strategic initiatives. Collaborates with cyber architects in the implementation of approved designs and solutions. Leads communication efforts with cyber governance department to exchange insights, receive requests, and review requirements from the university and stakeholders. Collaborates with leadership to facilitate innovation and continuous improvement; provides technical leadership and collaborates with ITS security. Produces and presents technical reports and briefings to leadership and/or stakeholders as necessary.
• Coordinates with the cyber engineering manager to develop and implement strategic plans and prioritize initiatives for the cybersecurity engineering function. Provides input on resource planning and budgeting to optimize use of technology and resources. Leads development and maintenance of customer experience tutorials and training resources. Ensures plans, strategies, and initiatives align with university goals.
• Assists in the development of operational processes and documentation. Ensures adherence to service level agreements. Leads team in carrying out tests, audits, and assessments to identify and mitigate potential system risks and vulnerabilities. Ensures team activities, processes, and procedures are in compliance with established standards, guidelines, and best practices. Maintains currency with industry trends and standards, as well as emerging technologies, OT security trends, and compliance requirements.
• Provides technical leadership and mentorship to cyber engineers; provides guidance and establishes professional development opportunities within the team. Develops and maintains cyber security configurations, policies, and procedures.
• Optimizes security automation (e.g., SOAR, XDR, AI-driven threat intelligence) to improve detection and response capabilities. Configures and manages multiple cyber engineering security tools (e.g., certificate management, data loss prevention, identity governance and administration, privileged account management) to allow for additional coverage and support. Collaborates on secure remote access solutions and network segmentation for IT and OT systems to maintain operational integrity. Supports the development, implementation, and management of cybersecurity engineering programs and initiatives. Supports development of awareness materials focused on cybersecurity and best practices across email, endpoint, identity access management, and OT/IoT devices.
• Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words and actions, in accordance with the Code of Ethics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Great candidates for the position of Lead Cyber Engineer will meet the following qualifications:

• 5 years experience in security engineering and/or related fields.
• A bachelor's degree or combined experience and education as substitute for minimum education.
• Proven leadership and team management experience within a cybersecurity engineering environment.
• Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with multiple security tools (e.g., endpoint security, email security, IGA, PAM). Technical and management experience to oversee multiple security tool stacks and work cross-functionally in different cyber functions.
• Demonstrated organizational, critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, capable of mentoring team members and collaborating with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in security infrastructure (e.g., endpoint protection, network security, cloud security solutions).
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and address security challenges proactively.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams in the deployment and management of complex security systems.
• Experience with security frameworks and standards (e.g., CIS, NIST, ISO), and the ability to apply these frameworks to practical scenarios.
• Knowledge of current cybersecurity trends, threats, cyber defense tools and the evolving technology landscape.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and an exemplary attention to detail.
• Strong project management abilities, with experience in planning, executing, and tracking technical projects.
• Ability to deftly handle time-sensitive matters, meet strict deadlines, and accomplish high-profile and sometimes confidential tasks.
• Strong understanding of cloud computing models (e.g., IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and experience with cloud service providers (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform).
• Ability to coordinate and work efficiently with managed service teams (e.g., VM, SOC, IAM).
• Well-versed in various network architectures, authentication protocols, and security systems.
• Commitment to ongoing education and staying updated on the latest threats and technologies.
• Understanding of the importance of security measures in protecting OT and IoT systems. Skilled in testing and validating OT and IoT systems to ensure functionality, reliability, and security.
• Knowledge and experience in OT and IoT devices, protocols (e.g., MQTT, CoAP), functions, and configurations.
• One or more relevant certification (e.g., GIAC, CISSP, Azure Security, CCSP, CompTIA SecurityX [CASP+])

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Exceptional candidates for the position of Lead Cyber Engineer will also bring the following qualifications or more:

• 7 years of related experience.
• A bachelor's degree in information science or computer science or computer engineering or in related field(s); or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• Experience in a university environment.
• Familiarity with existing university security architecture.
• Strong communication skills and cross-functional leadership
• Hands-on experience configuring security tools across cloud and network platforms
• Knowledge of OT/IoT systems and security controls

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The annual base salary range for this position is $158,551.38 to $177,190.16. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support the well-being of our faculty and staff, provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents' health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC's comprehensive benefits here .

Join the cybersecurity team within an environment of innovation and excellence.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Minimum Certifications: One or more relevant certification (e.g., GIAC, CISSP, Azure Security, CCSP, CompTIA SecurityX [CASP+]) Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years in security engineering and/or related fields. Minimum Skills: Proven leadership and team management experience within a cybersecurity engineering environment. Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with multiple security tools (e.g., endpoint security, email security, IGA, PAM). Technical and management experience to oversee multiple security tool stacks and work cross-functionally in different cyber functions. Demonstrated organizational, critical thinking and analytical skills. Effective communication and interpersonal skills, capable of mentoring team members and collaborating with stakeholders. Demonstrated technical expertise in security infrastructure (e.g., endpoint protection, network security, cloud security solutions). Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and address security challenges proactively. Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams in the deployment and management of complex security systems. Experience with security frameworks and standards (e.g., CIS, NIST, ISO), and the ability to apply these frameworks to practical scenarios. Knowledge of current cybersecurity trends, threats, cyber defense tools and the evolving technology landscape. Excellent written and oral communication skills, and an exemplary attention to detail. Strong project management abilities, with experience in planning, executing, and tracking technical projects. Ability to deftly handle time-sensitive matters, meet strict deadlines, and accomplish high-profile and sometimes confidential tasks. Strong understanding of cloud computing models (e.g., IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and experience with cloud service providers (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform). Ability to coordinate and work efficiently with managed service teams (e.g., VM, SOC, IAM). Well-versed in various network architectures, authentication protocols, and security systems. Commitment to ongoing education and staying updated on the latest threats and technologies. Understanding of the importance of security measures in protecting OT and IoT systems. Skilled in testing and validating OT and IoT systems to ensure functionality, reliability, and security. Knowledge and experience in OT and IoT devices, protocols (e.g., MQTT, CoAP), functions, and configurations. Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree In Computer Science Or Cyber Security Or in related field(s) Preferred Experience: 7 years Preferred Skills: Experience in a university environment. Familiarity with existing university security architecture.