Manager, Cyber Engineering

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The University of Southern California (USC) is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience, cyber risk management, and threat-informed defense. As a world-class research institution, USC is building a culture of security that supports its academic and research mission in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

This role sits within a newly restructured cybersecurity organization that’s leading this transformation. You’ll join a team focused on scalable, proactive defense strategies, incident preparedness, and operational excellence—working alongside experts who are deeply committed to service, innovation, and impact.

If you’re driven by purpose, thrive in complexity, and want to help shape the future of cybersecurity at a leading university, we invite you to bring your leadership to the table.

POSITION SUMMARY

As the Manager, Cyber Engineering you will be an integral leader of the cybersecurity department while also collaborating with stakeholders across the university ecosystem, and reporting to the Cyber Architecture Engineering Director. This is a full-time exempt position, eligible for all of USC’s fantastic Benefits + Perks. This opportunity is remote.

The Manager, Cyber Engineering oversees the design, implementation and maintenance of the university's security infrastructure and related tools. Manages a team of cybersecurity engineers, developing and executing security strategies and ensuring the protection of university systems, networks and data from cyber threats. Collaborates with senior leadership to align security initiatives with university goals and all applicable regulatory requirements. Manages the technology that protects system from information risks and security threats. Develops and maintains operational processes, acting as a technical escalation point for investigative support and validating security measures are effective, up to date and aligned with the university’s strategic goals.

The Manager, Cyber Engineering :

Oversees the development, implementation, and management of cybersecurity engineering programs and initiatives. Maintains overall responsibility for the daily functions of the cyber engineering team, managing technologies that protect against security threats and enhancing system performance across university technology environments (e.g. Network, Cloud, OT, IoT). Responsible for the design and strategy of robust cybersecurity measures tailored to the unique challenges of OT and IoT environments.’

Develops, manages and enforces zero-trust security models for enterprise and industrial networks. Oversees secure cloud and hybrid security infrastructure, ensuring data protection, identity management and compliance.

Oversees the resilient and robust implementation of enterprise security tools. Responsible for tool management, monitoring security tools for patches, updates and effectiveness and providing technical recommendations for security device selection, configuration and maintenance. Effectively leads cybersecurity efforts in OT and IoT environments, protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data from evolving threats. Oversees the deployment of threat detection and monitoring solutions tailored for Industrial Control Systems and IT Networks.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Great candidates for the position of Manager, Cyber Engineering will meet the following qualifications :

7 years in security engineering and / or related fields.

A bachelor’s degree in information science or computer science or computer engineering or in related field(s); or combined experience / education as substitute for minimum education.

Experience with various security engineering technologies and solutions (e.g., EDR / XDR, cloud security tools, data security platforms, OT / IoT).

Comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity engineering processes (e.g., acquisition, design, build, operation).

Experience in creating RFI / RFPs for security solutions and services.

Familiarity with appropriate security controls frameworks (e.g., CIS Top 20, NIST CSF, 800-53, ISO 27001) and experience in defining and deploying security hardening guidelines.

Ability to coordinate and work efficiently with managed service teams (e.g., VM,SOC, IAM).

Commitment to ongoing education and staying updated on the latest threats and technologies.

Familiarity in scaling cybersecurity protections across a large / highly-federated enterprise to enable coverage and increase visibility.

In-depth knowledge of the technology stack (e.g., operating systems, networks, applications).

Excellent leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to guide and develop a technical team.

Understanding of CIS benchmarks and customer service metrics, with experience managing various operating systems and configuration standards.

Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

Exceptional written and oral communication skills, analytical abilities and attention to detail.

Experience with database administration, access management, and systems / data backup, storage and recovery.

Knowledge and experience in Operational Technology (OT) and IoT devices, protocols (e.g., MQTT, CoAP), functions, architecture, and configurations.

Cyber certification (e.g., CISSP, GIAC, CISM).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Exceptional candidates for the position of Manager, Cyber Engineering will also bring the following qualifications or more :

7+ years of experience in Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Proven experience with IGA tools such as SailPoint or Saviynt

Strong project leadership skills

Ability to strategize and lead IAM product roadmaps

Excellent communication and collaboration skills

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The annual base salary range for this position is $189,993.00 to $210,364.61. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education / training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support the well-being of our faculty and staff, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC’s comprehensive benefits here.

Join the USC cybersecurity team within an environment of innovation and excellence.

Minimum Education : Bachelor's degree In Information Science Or Computer Science Or Computer Engineering Or in related field(s) Minimum Certifications : Cyber certification (e.g., CISSP, GIAC, CISM). Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience / education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience : 7 years in security engineering and / or related fields. Minimum Skills : Experience with various security engineering technologies and solutions (e.g., EDR / XDR, cloud security tools, data security platforms, OT / IoT).​ Comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity engineering processes (e.g., acquisition, design, build, operation).​ Experience in creating RFI / RFPs for security solutions and services.​ Familiarity with appropriate security controls frameworks (e.g., CIS Top 20, NIST CSF, 800-53, ISO 27001) and experience in defining and deploying security hardening guidelines. Ability to coordinate and work efficiently with managed service teams (e.g., VM,SOC, IAM). Commitment to ongoing education and staying updated on the latest threats and technologies. Familiarity in scaling cybersecurity protections across a large / highly-federated enterprise to enable coverage and increase visibility In-depth knowledge of the technology stack (e.g., operating systems, networks, applications).​ Excellent leadership and people-management skills, with the ability to guide and develop a technical team.​ Understanding of CIS benchmarks and customer service metrics, with experience managing various operating systems and configuration standards.​ Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.​ Exceptional written and oral communication skills, analytical abilities and attention to detail.​ Experience with database administration, access management, and systems / data backup, storage and recovery. Knowledge and experience in Operational Technology (OT) and IoT devices, protocols (e.g., MQTT, CoAP), functions, architecture, and configurations. Preferred Education : Bachelor's degree In Information Science Or Computer Science Or Computer Engineering Or in related field(s) Preferred Experience : 10 years Preferred Skills : Familiarity with existing university security architecture.