Detection Engineer Cloud SME

Cyber Security Analyst III, Detection Engineer Cloud SME

Pearl City, HI
Internal Only
Secret Required to Start, TS SCI Required

As a Detection Engineer Cloud SME you will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing detection mechanisms to identify cyber threats within a Cybersecurity Service Provider (CSSP) environment. You will focuse on creating and managing IDS/IPS signatures, log correlation rules, and other detection tools based on indicator lifecycle analysis. You collaborate with Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) Watch Analysts and other teams to ensure timely and effective threat detection, adhering to CJCSM 6510.01B reporting requirements and supporting the CSSP’s mission to protect data across a wide spectrum of sources and locations.

• Act as the primary SME for cloud log sources, designing efficient and secure log ingestion pipelines across multi‑cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Design and implement detection logic (KQL, EQL, and/or SPL) tailored to cloud‑native threats, native threats and cloud infrastructure (eg containers like Kubernetes, Docker etc) Analyze threat intelligence to create and refine detection mechanisms tailored to the customer’s environment.
• Validate and test detection rules to ensure accuracy, minimize false positive and benign positive matches, and enhance threat identification capabilities.
• Collaborate with DCO Watch Analysts to integrate detection mechanisms into monitoring and incident response workflows.
• Maintain and update detection tools and signatures in response to evolving threats, ensuring compliance with CJCSM 6510.01B and other applicable directives.
• Compile and maintain internal standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation for detection creation and implementation processes.
• Perform log analysis of Splunk and Elastic to support detection development and validation.
• Coordinate with reporting agencies and subscriber sites to align detection strategies with operational needs and threat intelligence.
• Participate in program reviews, product evaluations, and onsite certification evaluations to assess detection tool efficacy.
• Overtime may be required to support detection implementation or incident response actions (Surge).
• Up to 10% travel may be required.

• Must be a current Adapt Forward Employee.
• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant discipline and 5 years or at least 8 years of experience working in a CSSP, SOC, or similar environment.
• 2+ years of experience with signature development, detection logic creation and optimization on multiple platforms.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

• Deep technical expertise in major cloud provider security models and services (AWS IAM, Azure AD, GCP IAM, Cloud Trail, Azure Monitor, VPC flow logs, etc.).
• Experience working with and developing signatures for Splunk and Elastic.
• Experience with threat intelligence platforms and indicator management.
• Proficient knowledge of detection creation and implementation processes.
• Expertise in IDS/IPS solutions, including signature development and optimization.
• Strong understanding of the indicator lifecycle, including initial discovery, development, operational maturity, and long‑term sustainment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to solve complex problems independently.
• Preferred certifications: AWS Certified Security, Azure Security Engineer Associate, or equivalent SANS GIAC certifications.

• Must have requisite certifications to fulfill DoD 8570 IAT Level II and CSSP-specific requirements.

Adapt Forward is a cybersecurity solutions provider for some of the nation’s most valuable information systems. Leveraging advanced threat assessment technology and experience in building high‑level information security infrastructure, we develop adaptive solutions uniquely tailored to our customers’ business objectives to protect sensitive data against sophisticated threats in an increasingly complex security environment.

• Comprehensive Physical Wellness Package, including Medical, Dental, Vision Care, plus Flexible Spending Accounts for health‑ and…