Network and Data Security Engineer

Position: Network and Data Security Engineer

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Network and Data Security Engineer to support discovery and integration activities across enterprise environments. This role demands deep expertise in network security architecture, data protection strategies, and secure integration of systems across hybrid infrastructures. The engineer will work closely with cybersecurity teams, infrastructure architects, and offshore delivery partners to assess, design, and implement secure solutions that meet compliance and business requirements. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical acumen, a proactive mindset, and excellent communication skills to drive security initiatives across distributed teams.

Key Responsibilities

Act as the primary security engineering contact for network and data protection across global delivery teams

Support discovery activities by assessing existing environments for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and integration risks

Lead integration efforts by defining secure connectivity patterns between on-premises, cloud, and third-party systems

Implement data protection controls including encryption, DLP, access controls, and secure data transfer mechanisms

Collaborate with offshore engineers to guide implementation, review configurations, and ensure adherence to security standards

Conduct risk assessments and support remediation of findings from vulnerability scans, penetration tests, and compliance audits

Document security architectures, policies, and operational procedures for knowledge sharing and audit readiness

Participate in change management and release processes to ensure secure deployment of infrastructure and applications

Day in the Life

As a Network and Data Security Engineer, your daily activities may include:

Reviewing network and system configurations for security gaps and recommending improvements

Participating in discovery workshops to identify integration points and assess associated risks

Collaborating with offshore teams to implement secure connectivity and data exchange mechanisms

Monitoring alerts from SIEM platforms and coordinating incident response efforts

Updating firewall rules, VPN configurations, and access control policies based on evolving requirements

Supporting audits and compliance reviews by providing documentation and evidence of controls

Attending sync meetings with infrastructure and application teams to align on secure design patterns

Documenting security findings, mitigation plans, and lessons learned for continuous improvement

Required Skills & Qualifications

Strong hands-on expertise in network security technologies (firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, proxies)

Deep understanding of data protection principles including encryption, access control, and secure data flows

Familiarity with cloud security (Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform), including secure VNet NSGs, UDRs and identity management

Proven ability to assess risks and implement mitigation strategies in hybrid environments

Excellent troubleshooting skills in network and security operations

Strong communication and coordination skills to work across global/offshore teams

Preferred Qualifications

Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CEH, or Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert

Experience with secure integration of cloud and on-premises systems

Familiarity with regulatory frameworks (ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, HIPAA)

Knowledge of DevSecOps practices and integration of security into CI/CD pipelines

Disclaimer

HCL is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, religion, sex, color, age, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, physical disability or genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with federal, state, and/or local law. Should any applicant have concerns about discrimination in the hiring process, they should provide a detailed report of those concerns to for investigation.

Compensation and Benefits

A candidate s pay within the range will depend on their work location, skills, experience, education, and other factors permitted by law. This role may also be eligible for performance-based bonuses subject to company policies. In addition, this role is eligible for the following benefits subject to company policies: medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, life, accidental death & dismemberment, and disability insurance; employee assistance program; 401(k) retirement plan; 10 days of paid time off per year (some positions are eligible for need-based leave with no designated number of leave days per year); and 10 paid holidays per year.