Data Security Engineer

Data Security Engineer

Top Skills (Required):

• 10+ years of experience in Data Engineering, Information Security, or a combination of both
• Strong background in securing large-scale data platforms
• Deep expertise in cloud data security architecture (Azure preferred)

Location: Fully Remote (Candidates must reside in Texas - Dallas preferred but not required)
Industry: Health / Academic / Research
Type: Long-term Contract (New Role)

About the Role

Our client-one of the most well-known and respected healthcare, academic, and research institutions in the U.S.-is seeking a Data Security Engineer to help secure their enterprise data platform. This role sits within Enterprise Data Services and plays a key part in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical organizational data.
The ideal candidate blends data engineering fundamentals with deep data security architecture experience, and is highly proficient in cloud-based security (Azure strongly preferred).

Key Responsibilities

Security Architecture & Implementation

• Design, implement, and manage advanced security configurations for large-scale data platforms
• Utilize tools such as Azure Purview, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions, and Data Security Posture Management (DSPM)
• Maintain secure configurations across cloud environments

IAM & Access Control

• Define, configure, and maintain IAM and RBAC policies across data environments (data lakes, data warehouses, streaming platforms)
• Enforce least privilege principles across the ecosystem

Data Engineering & Pipeline Security

• Work closely with Data Engineering teams to embed security directly into ETL/ELT pipelines, ingestion workflows, and processing layers
• Ensure compliance from data source through end-user consumption

Protocols, Governance & Compliance

• Establish and maintain end-to-end safety protocols for all data lifecycle stages
• Ensure adherence to data security policies, SOPs, and governance standards
• Maintain compliance with frameworks like GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA

Security Assessment & Optimization

• Continuously assess the data platform's security posture
• Identify vulnerabilities and recommend updates, enhancements, or remediation

Secure Data Transfer & Encryption

• Implement secure data transfer protocols
• Ensure encryption and other protection mechanisms are in place to prevent unsafe transmission

Vulnerability Testing

• Conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability scanning
• Analyze findings and drive remediation efforts

Incident Response & Forensics

• Support incident response activities
• Gather and analyze post-breach data for forensic investigations

Qualifications & Technical Requirements

Must Have:

• 10+ years combined experience in Data Engineering and/or Information Security
• Strong experience securing large-scale data platforms
• Deep expertise with Azure security services:
  • Azure Security Center / Defender for Cloud
  • Azure Purview
  • Azure Key Vault
• IAM/RBAC/ABAC configuration experience (Azure Data Lake, Synapse, Databricks, etc.)
• Hands-on experience with DLP and DSPM solutions
• Strong data engineering foundation: data modeling, ETL/ELT, pipeline orchestration
• Knowledge of: firewalls, IDS/IPS, encryption standards, cloud identity management
• Strong understanding of security regulations: GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA
• Ability to communicate complex security topics to executive leadership (e.g., CDO)

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's in:
  • Computer Science
  • Data Engineering
  • Cybersecurity
  • Or a related technical field

Employee Value Proposition

• Help secure data for a top-tier healthcare and research institution
• High-impact work influencing major organizational decisions
• Fast-paced, collaborative, mission-driven environment

Work Environment

• Collaborative
• Hectic and fast-paced
• Cross-functional interaction with data engineering, security, and leadership teams

Business Drivers / Why This Role Matters

• Current gaps in data security due to legacy processes and flawed engineering
• This is a new role created to strengthen the organization's data security posture
• Critical to protecting patient data, research data, and institutional IP

Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Dallas, TX.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $70.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Mar 31, 2026.
>About TEKsystems:
We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

About TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services

We're a leading provider of business and technology services. We accelerate business transformation for our customers. Our expertise in strategy, design, execution and operations unlocks business value through a range of solutions. We're a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 500 across North America, Europe and Asia, who partner with us for our scale, full-stack capabilities and speed. We're strategic thinkers, hands-on collaborators, helping customers capitalize on change and master the momentum of technology. We're building tomorrow by delivering business outcomes and making positive impacts in our global communities. TEKsystems and TEKsystems Global Services are Allegis Group companies. Learn more at TEKsystems.com.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.