Azure Security Engineer

Job Title: Azure Security Engineer
Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid)
Employment Type: Contract

Overview:
We re seeking a highly skilled Azure Security Engineer to enhance our cloud security posture and drive ongoing security initiatives across a modern, cloud-first environment. This role is ideal for a self-driven engineer who can take ownership of Azure security controls, improve architecture, and ensure compliance across distributed teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement, manage, and optimize Azure security services (Defender for Cloud, Sentinel, Key Vault, Entra ID Identity Protection).
• Monitor and investigate security alerts, threats, and vulnerabilities across cloud workloads.
• Lead configuration reviews, hardening activities, and secure-by-design architecture improvements.
• Maintain and improve security policies, standards, runbooks, and documentation.
• Support IAM initiatives including RBAC design, privileged access, Zero Trust, and conditional access.
• Conduct risk assessments and recommend effective mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with DevOps/Cloud teams to implement security automation and guardrails.

Required Skills & Experience

• 6+ years of hands-on Azure security engineering experience.
• Deep knowledge of Azure security tooling, cloud networking, IAM, and governance.
• Experience with SIEM/SOAR platforms (preferably Microsoft Sentinel).
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks (SOC2, ISO 27001, NIST, CIS Benchmarks).
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Preferred certifications: AZ-500, SC-200, SC-300, or similar.

Nice to Have

• Experience with security automation using PowerShell, KQL, ARM/Bicep, or Terraform.
• Exposure to CI/CD pipeline security.
• Experience securing hybrid cloud or on-prem integrations.