Job Description

Job Summary
This position will be located on the Auburn University campus.

The Charles D. McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University is seeking an accomplished Senior Cybersecurity Analyst to strengthen its mission of protecting critical systems. This role serves as a trusted operator and emerging leader within McCrary’s Security Operations Center (SOC) and Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) environment. The Senior Analyst is responsible for advanced threat hunting, incident leadership, automation initiatives, and operational support for state and local partners. Acting as a key integrator, this position bridges day-to-day security operations with applied research and field deployment teams to deliver innovative and resilient cybersecurity solutions.

Why Join McCrary?
The McCrary Institute defends the systems that power our national and economic security, our communities, and our way of life. Through its Edge Lab, McCrary integrates research, policy, and real-world operations to deliver practical cybersecurity solutions.
By joining our team, you will play a leading role in building the infrastructure and workforce that will protect America’s most critical systems – right here in Auburn, Alabama.
Essential Functions
Lead Incident Response: Direct advanced incident response activities, including containment and recovery, ensuring rapid and effective resolution of security events.

Proactive Threat Hunting: Conduct in-depth threat hunting and develop actionable threat intelligence for state and critical infrastructure partners.

Automation and Optimization: Design, build, and fine-tune SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) playbooks to streamline and enhance operational efficiency.

Security Assessments: Lead comprehensive security evaluations, vulnerability analyses, and facilitate cyber tabletop exercises to strengthen resilience.

Technical Reporting: Prepare detailed technical reports, incident summaries, and operational briefs for internal stakeholders and external partners.

Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior analysts and student interns, fostering professional growth and technical excellence.

Capability Integration: Support the integration of lab-developed cybersecurity solutions into SOC operations for improved defense capabilities.

Additional Duties: Perform other related responsibilities as assigned to advance the institute’s cybersecurity mission.

Performs other duties as assigned.
Why Work at Auburn?
Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
We’re Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, or IT.
3 years of cybersecurity operations or incident response experience.
Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications
Minimum Skills and Abilities
Technical Expertise:
Proficiency with SIEM and EDR tools, advanced threat hunting techniques, and security automation.
Strong knowledge of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) environments.
Experience with incident response processes, security monitoring tools, and enterprise network/security infrastructure.
Skilled in scripting and programming languages for automation and analysis.
Ability to analyze malware behavior and low-level code execution.
Fundamental understanding of ports, protocols, and network architecture.
Familiarity with Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms.

Cybersecurity Operations & Governance:
Understanding of security policies, operational procedures, and compliance frameworks.
Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities for complex technical challenges.

Communication & Collaboration:
Effective communicator with experience in technical documentation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Ability to explain technical issues and solutions to non-technical stakeholders.
Excellent customer service skills and proven ability to work effectively in team environments.
Presentation experience for technical and executive audiences.

Project & Time Management:
Strong project management skills with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Minimum Technology Skills
Minimum License and Certifications
Desired Qualifications
Desired Qualifications
GCIA, GCIH, GCFE,GCFA, Security+, CCNACyberOps, OSCP, GPEN,
GWAPT, CEH, CISSP orother equivalentcertifications