Director, Cyber Security Detection Engineering

AstraZeneca • Gaithersburg, MD

2d • $169,320 - $253,980 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, Cyber Security Detection Engineering is a senior leader in the Cyber Operations function, based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, working with the Head of Cyber Operations. The role encompasses command of enterprise detection capabilities across cloud, on-premises, and OT/ICS environments, ownership of detection governance and validation, and delivery of executive reporting, coverage assessments, and capability maturation in partnership with GSOC, CTI, Vulnerability Management, Offensive Security, IT, Legal, Risk and Compliance, and business customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in information security, computer science, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Over 5 years managing detection engineering or security operations in enterprise-sized organisations, commanding capabilities across hybrid cloud, on-premises, and OT environments.
• Experience integrating and working alongside global, 24×7, geographically dispersed teams to deliver detection capabilities and support security operations missions.
• Well-developed skills to explain complex technical concepts in clear business terms; produce concise written material (executive updates, coverage reports); and lead briefings to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse complex threat landscapes, assess detection gaps, and balance strategic capability development with tactical operational requirements, risk appetite, and resource constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across regions and functions (GSOC, IT, Legal, GRC, business units) with a strong service approach and commitment to enabling organisational resilience.
• Detection engineering lifecycle: Proven leadership across detection development, testing, deployment, and tuning at enterprise scale; deep understanding of detection logic design, coverage mapping, and efficacy validation.
• Threat detection frameworks: Extensive knowledge of MITRE ATT&CK, Cyber Kill Chain, and detection engineering methodologies; experience mapping organisational coverage and prioritising development based on threat intelligence.
• Purple team operations: Experienced in designing and accomplishing adversary emulation exercises; skilled in translating purple team findings into actionable detection improvements and coverage enhancements.
• Automation and AI: Experience operationalizing modern detection platforms (SIEM, XDR, SOAR) including integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning models, and agentic features to enable detection at scale.
• Data engineering and platforms: Proficient with data pipeline architecture, log aggregation, normalization, and query optimization; solid grasp of data quality requirements for effective detection.
• Cloud, identity, and endpoint detection: Deep understanding of detection approaches across multi-cloud environments, identity systems, endpoints, and network infrastructure; familiar with cloud-native security services and integration patterns.
• Manufacturing Operational Technology/Industrial Control Systems: Coordinating detection engineering in industrial/OT environments with safety, availability, and production continuity considerations; knowledge of industrial protocols and OT-specific threats.

Nice To Haves

• Security certifications preferred (e.g., CISSP, CISM, GIAC such as GCIA/GCDA/GMON; cloud certifications; ITIL).

Responsibilities

• Direct the development and execution of comprehensive detection engineering programmes aligned to interpersonal risk appetite and threat landscape; establish capability roadmaps spanning data engineering, detection development, purple teaming, and automation/AI.
• Ensure robust data pipelines support detection activities through telemetry collection, normalization, and quality assurance across hybrid and OT environments; define data retention, schema standards, and platform configuration to enable effective threat detection.
• Oversee creation, testing, and deployment of detection logic across SIEM, EDR, and cloud-native tooling; enforce detection standards, naming conventions, and MITRE ATT&CK mapping; prioritise coverage based on threat intelligence and risk assessments.
• Oversee purple team operations to validate detection efficacy systematically; orchestrate adversary emulation exercises across technology domains; drive remediation of detection gaps identified through testing and operational feedback.
• Operationalise AI agents, machine learning models, and orchestration workflows to enhance detection accuracy, reduce false positives, and augment GSOC analyst capabilities; oversee development of automated enrichment, triage, and investigation playbooks.
• Own detection engineering targets (e.g., MITRE ATT&CK coverage, mean time to detect, false positive rates, purple team success metrics) and deliver executive-ready briefings, dashboards, and quarterly maturity assessments.
• Develop and enforce detection engineering policies, standards, and quality frameworks; maintain detection content libraries with version control and organizational change field; ensure regulatory compliance in data handling.
• Develop and maintain detection engineering area plans aligned to Cyber Operations strategy; set direction and goals with autonomy across data engineering, detection development, purple teaming, and automation functions.
• Define and review reporting and team targets; align objectives to detection outcomes, coverage improvements, and operational efficiency.
• Lead inclusive recruitment; build career paths and targeted upskilling in detection development, threat hunting, cloud security, OT/ICS detection, and SOAR/AI through multi-functional, regional, and external partnerships.

Benefits

• short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• equity-based long-term incentive program
• retirement contribution
• commission payment eligibility
• qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]
• paid vacation and holidays
• paid leaves
• health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director