Detection Engineering Lead

MANTECH•McLean, VA

2d•$141,500 - $236,000•Onsite

About The Position

MANTECH seeks a motivated and customer-oriented Cyber Detection Engineering Lead to join our team in McLean, VA. In this role, you will lead the mission to enhance cybersecurity detection and response capabilities by developing high-fidelity detection logic, automating security workflows, and strengthening threat-hunting operations. This role serves as a technical leader and liaison with customer staff, overseeing project and task workflow while improving the organization’s ability to identify, analyze, and respond to evolving cyber threats.

Requirements

High School Diploma and 7+ years of experience in cybersecurity with a focus on detection engineering, threat hunting, incident response, or CNO/CNE
Experience with Python or a similar language for automation and data analysis
Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms such as Splunk, ELK, Sentinel, Chronicle, or similar technologies
Experience applying the MITRE ATT&CK framework for adversary tactics and techniques mapping
Experience with YARA, Snort, Suricata, or other signature-based detection technologies
Experience with Windows internals and forensic artifacts for endpoint security investigations
Active/current TS/SCI with polygraph

Nice To Haves

Bachelors degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science or other relevant field
Experience with SOAR solutions and security automation workflows
Experience with threat intelligence platforms and integrating threat intelligence feeds into security operations
Prior experience in penetration testing, red teaming, or reverse engineering
Certifications such as GCDA, GCIH, GCFA, OSCP, or Splunk Certified Security Professional

Responsibilities

Developing, optimizing, and deploying custom detection rules across SIEM platforms and creating signatures and detection rules for malware and network-based threats
Building, testing, and tuning security analytics pipelines to reduce false positives and improve alert fidelity
Designing and implementing SOAR playbooks to streamline and enhance security operations
Automating threat intelligence ingestion, correlation, and alerting mechanisms
Developing integration scripts between security tools and data sources to enhance visibility and response capabilities
Developing and maintaining robust detection logic mapped to MITRE ATT&CK techniques
Conducting continuous security log analysis to identify anomalies and potential threats
Collaborating with Incident Response teams to provide detection logic for emerging threats
Leveraging EDR solutions to detect and investigate endpoint threats
Analyzing Windows internals and system logs to identify malicious activities and forensic artifacts
Serving as a liaison with customer staff and overseeing project and task workflow to ensure successful mission execution