Cloud Security Engineer

Salary : $93,944.00 - $122,535.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 1466
Department: Health Benefits Exchange
Opening Date: 06/03/2026

Description
The mission of Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is to radically improve how Washington residents secure health insurance through innovative and practical solutions, an easy-to-use customer experience, our values of integrity, respect, equity and transparency, and by providing undeniable value to the health care community.

The Exchange is a public-private partnership that operates Washington Healthplanfinder, the eligibility and enrollment portal used by one in four Washington residents to obtain health and dental coverage. Through this platform, and with support from a Customer Support Center and statewide network of in-person navigators and brokers, individuals and families can shop, compare and enroll in private, qualified health plans (as defined in the Affordable Care Act) or enroll in Washington Apple Health, the state Medicaid program.

The Exchange embraces the following equity statement adopted by our Board of Directors:

Equity is fundamental to the mission of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The process of advancing toward equity and becoming anti-racist is disruptive and demands vigilance to dismantle deeply entrenched systems of privilege and oppression. While systemic racism is a root cause of many societal inequities, we must also use an intersectional approach to address all forms of bias and oppression, which interact with and often exacerbate racial inequities. To be successful, we must recognize the socioeconomic drivers of health and focus on people and places where needs are greatest. As we listen to community, we must hold ourselves accountable to responding to recommendations to remedy inequitable policies, systems, or practices within the Exchange's area of influence. Our goal is that all Washingtonians have full and equal access to opportunities, power and resources to achieve their full potential.

SUMMARY
The Cloud Security Engineer position supports the Cloud & Infrastructure Security Team in the implementation and ongoing maintenance of information security solutions across both on-premises and cloud environments. The role focuses on providing expert guidance in cloud and infrastructure security architecture, with a strong emphasis on Microsoft Azure and cloud-native environments. Key responsibilities include enforcing security controls and configuration standards across cloud and on-premise systems, participating in design reviews, and collaborating with DevOps and Infrastructure teams to embed security best practices throughout the software development lifecycle. The position also involves evaluating emerging security technologies, maintaining comprehensive security architecture documentation, assessing the implementation of security controls, and managing vulnerability scanning processes to identify and mitigate potential risks.
Duties
Serve as a subject matter expert in cloud and infrastructure security, providing guidance on Microsoft Azure and cloud-native architectures.
Enforce secure architectural requirements, security controls, and configuration standards for current and new cloud and on-premise infrastructure in accordance with WAHBE security policies and regulatory requirements (e.g., CMS, IRS).
Perform cross-functional Cloud & Infrastructure security design reviews to ensure solutions align with established security policies.
Collaborate with Infrastructure and DevOps teams to embed security best practices throughout infrastructure-as-code, CI/CD pipelines, and the software development lifecycle, implementing automated controls, threat modeling, and monitoring.
Evaluate and recommend new and emerging security products and technologies.
Create and maintain security architecture documentation, including models, baselines, templates, and diagrams.
Assess the effectiveness of implemented security controls, identify any gaps, and provide progress updates.
Configure, schedule, and conduct vulnerability scans using enterprise tools to identify potential security weaknesses.
Analyze and prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk and potential impact to WAHBE.
Assess identified findings from scan reports and develop actionable recommendations and compensating controls to address and mitigate associated risks.
Collaborate with Infrastructure and Operations teams to develop and implement remediation plans.
Ensure robust and measurable Vulnerability Management practices within both cloud and on-premise environments
Report on vulnerability trends and key areas for improvement.
Maintain and optimize security tools and technologies including but not limited to firewalls, endpoint protection, and SIEM.
Continuously monitor the cloud and on-premise environment for security events, anomalies, and potential threats, and conduct thorough investigations to identify root causes and impacts.
Perform technical incident response efforts, including investigation, containment, and recovery from security breaches, and preparation of incident reports.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders, vendors, and external partners to ensure secure integration and ongoing compliance, maintaining synchronization with the Security objectives.
Support Cloud and Infrastructure Security Lead to support audit activities by providing technical guidance and documentation, and act as a liaison for internal and external audit reviews as needed.
Assist Cloud & Infrastructure Security Lead in reviewing existing security capabilities and assist in defining roadmap for cloud and infrastructure security enhancements.
Support the development and implementation of information security awareness and training initiatives.
Stay current on industry trends, emerging threats, and relevant technologies, and communicate key insights to the Cloud & Infrastructure Security Lead.
Provide regular briefings to the Cloud and Infrastructure Security Lead and Information Security Manager (ISM), escalating issues and blockers as necessary.
Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of cloud and infrastructure security.

Qualifications

Required:
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in information security.
Experience in design and implementation of security tools, processes, and procedures
Demonstrated experience in deploying and administering security controls within cloud and infrastructure environments.
Demonstrated experience in cloud security principles and best practices for platforms such as Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud Platform.
Proficient in network security principles, firewalls, routers, switches, server administration and configuration baselines
Experience with vulnerability management tools, such as Nessus, PrismaCloud.
Demonstrated knowledge of secure SDLC, secure architecture design and security operations.
Demonstrated experience in information security, data security, privacy, and or data management.
Experience defining secure architectural requirements, security controls, and configuration standards in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Experience with container security and securing container orchestration platforms.
Experience with tools like Terraform and Ansible and familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for automated security testing and deployment.
Demonstrated knowledge of common vulnerability assessment methodologies and techniques?(e.g., CVSS scoring, threat modeling)
Proven ability to prioritize identified vulnerabilities and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure timely remediation and risk mitigation.
Demonstrates an understanding of the functions and operations of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, Endpoint Detection & Response.
Expertise in threat detection, Incident Handling, and operational security.
Demonstrates understanding of emerging cybersecurity threats.
Desired:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Security or Technology related major, or closely allied field AND three to four years of related experience.
Experienced in creating comprehensive reports and dashboards to communicate findings, track remediation progress, and provide visibility to management and relevant teams.
Motivated self-starter with initiative to take independent action and accept responsibility for your actions.
Demonstrated experience in supporting IRS/CMS or relevant audits.
Demonstrates a proactive approach by consistently identifying potential blockers and communicating them early, while maintaining a solution-focused mindset to facilitate continued progress.
Creative and proactive problem solver; must possess the ability to make independent decisions, set work priorities, and address issues promptly.
Experience in developing, reviewing, and updating security standards, procedures, awareness and training.
Demonstrates interpersonal and collaboration skills, effectively partnering with internal management, staff, and cross-functional teams as well as external partners and vendors.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
This position will be open until we find a suitable number of candidates to review. If interested, please submit an application (CLICK HERE) as soon as possible. The Exchange reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time.

SALARY INFORMATION
Full Salary Range: $81,690.00 to $122,535.00 annually, with midpoint at $102,113.00.

Hiring Range: $93,944.00 and $102,113.00 annually. This is an estimate of where a qualified candidate can expect to receive an offer.

The actual salary offer will consider candidate experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and the market. Our compensation policy reserves the salary range above the midpoint for employees who are meeting and exceeding expectations and for growth and development, up to the maximum.

BENEFITS
Take a peek at our

WORKING CONDITIONS
Core business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are times where irregular hours will be required. The preferred duty station is our Olympia, Washington headquarters. The nature of this role relies heavily on remote and in-person collaboration. While a hybrid remote and on-site schedule may be considered, the position will require flexibility to allow for in-office availability as business needs dictate. Travel requirements will be limited, however there may be occasions where an employee is required to travel and work irregular hours to attend meetings or trainings. Duties of this position require the use of standard office furniture and equipment, including setup for remote work. The employee is responsible for providing and maintaining a safe, ergonomic, and secure workspace at their remote location.

The working conditions and physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A criminal background screen will be conducted for candidates under final consideration, and if hired, every five years of employment where highly sensitive data is processed or maintained by the position. The result of this background screen must meet the Exchanges eligibility standards.

OTHER INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.

This is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is an All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

We participate in You can view the Department of Justice's Right to Work poster
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026