Junior-Level SOC / Cloud Security Engineer

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

1d•$5,798 - $9,500•Onsite

About The Position

This position is open to permanent residents or US citizens only. The Junior-Level SOC / Cloud Security Engineer is a key member of the HHSC Cybersecurity Operations team responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cybersecurity threats across enterprise and cloud environments. This role supports the protection of agency systems and sensitive data by performing security investigations, assisting with vulnerability remediation, and strengthening defensive controls. The analyst operates with moderate independence and collaborates closely with senior engineers, cloud teams, infrastructure partners, and incident responders to maintain a secure technology environment. This position contributes to the continuous improvement of HHSC’s Security Operations Center (SOC) by supporting threat detection capabilities, improving visibility, and helping reduce organizational risk. The role also supports regulatory and security requirements aligned with TAC 202, HIPAA, IRS 1075, NIST 800-53, and other applicable state and federal standards.

Requirements

Minimum 3+ years of cybersecurity experience, with at least 1–2 years in a SOC, cloud security, or security operations role.
Experience working with SIEM platforms and security monitoring tools.
Experience supporting cloud security environments (AWS, Azure, or similar)
Working knowledge of SOC operations, incident response processes, and threat detection concepts.
Solid knowledge of incident response practices in enterprise settings.
Knowledge of vulnerability scanning or remediation processes.
Solid knowledge of vulnerability management practices and remediation workflows.
Foundational knowledge of AWS and Azure security capabilities.
Knowledge of attacker tactics and frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to clearly document technical findings.
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced operational environment.
Ability to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure systems by preventing unauthorized access and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations related to national security and foreign ownership restrictions

Nice To Haves

Basic scripting or automation skills (PowerShell, Python, or similar) are a plus.
CompTIA Security+
SC-200 (Microsoft Security Operations Analyst)
GIAC GSEC or GCIH (preferred)
AWS Cloud Practitioner or Security Specialty (preferred)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Experience with SIEM platforms such as Splunk, Sentinel, or similar tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitor security alerts and events within the SOC and perform initial triage and investigation.
Analyze logs from SIEM platforms (e.g., Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel) to identify suspicious activity.
Escalate complex or high-risk incidents to senior analysts as appropriate.
Assist in containment and remediation activities following established playbooks.
Document incidents, findings, and response actions in accordance with agency procedures.
Participate in threat hunting initiatives under senior guidance.
Support vulnerability scanning activities using enterprise tools such as Qualys.
Review scan results and work with system owners to track remediation efforts.
Assist in validating patch deployments and closure of identified vulnerabilities.
Help identify recurring security weaknesses and recommend practical improvements.
Contribute to operational reports and risk metrics.
Assist in monitoring AWS and Azure environments for security risks and misconfigurations.
Investigate cloud-related alerts including identity anomalies, exposed services, and configuration drift.
Support implementation and tuning of cloud security tools such as CSPM and identity monitoring solutions.
Partner with cloud and DevOps teams to promote secure configuration practices.
Participate in security reviews of cloud deployments.
Assist with onboarding log sources to improve monitoring coverage.
Support alert tuning efforts to reduce false positives.
Help maintain automated workflows and response playbooks.
Contribute to threat intelligence integration and enrichment activities.
Provide operational support for SOC technologies.
Assist with audit requests, evidence collection, and control validation activities.
Maintain accurate documentation for investigations and operational procedures.
Ensure daily activities align with agency security policies and standards.
Includes participation in cybersecurity incidents, disaster response, and Continuity of Operations (COOP) activities as required.