IT Security Engineer Jobs in Virginia
IT Security Engineer jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense contracting, federal civilian agencies, and financial services, with openings at every level from junior analysts to senior architects. The heaviest hiring is in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads region, where major employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and Northrop Grumman maintain deep IT security workforces. Cloud security, zero-trust architecture, and threat intelligence are the specialties drawing the most consistent demand. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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- 537580
- Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
- Virginia, United States
- IT Security
- Information Systems / Technology
- Faculty (Salaried)
- Closing at: Sep 24 2026 - 23:55 EDT
- Virginia Tech
Job Description
Under the guidance of the Associate Director of IT Risk and Compliance, the IT Security Risk and Compliance Analyst will carry out IT security assessment activities including IT risk assessments and security reviews for university departments, as well as evaluations of third-party technology solutions, to ensure alignment with university policies, standards, and external compliance regulations wherever applicable. Assessment activities may include a wide variety of tasks depending on the scope of the review and the IT capabilities within university departments (e.g., developing asset inventory, assessing endpoint and application security controls and configurations, examining procedures, etc.).
The analyst will be expected to contribute to the creation and maintenance of documentation/procedures in support of the IT Risk and Compliance program and to identify opportunities to leverage automation to enhance data consistency and process efficiency within the program and across other university IT services. The analyst may provide training and outreach to the university community as needed and may also be called on to coordinate updates for the IT Continuity of Operations plan and to assist units within the Division of Information Technology as they conduct disaster recovery planning or on other security-related initiatives as requested.
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree, or a combination of education, training, and progressive experience that equates to a Master's degree.
- Demonstrated experience performing IT security reviews, risk assessments, or audits
- Strong understanding of key information security concepts and fundamentals
- Experience in creating awareness of security practices across multiple technical teams
- Knowledge of security frameworks and standards, including NIST, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, CIS Critical Security Controls, NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF), etc.
- Ability to effectively communicate across a broad range of campus audiences
- Exceptional organizational and time-management skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional certification such as CISA, CISM, CRISC, or CISSP
- Experience performing security assessments of SaaS services
- Knowledgeable of relevant compliance regulations (e.g., FERPA, GLBA)
- Experience with GRC and Information security tools/technologies to collect and maintain security and risk information
- Experience with automation using common scripting tools (e.g., Python, PowerShell, Bash, etc.)
- Experience with data analysis and manipulation
- Experience managing IT security risk or compliance in a higher education setting
Work Location
Candidates must be available for on-site work in Blacksburg, VA as needed, with at least one on-site day per week.
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
$80,000 - $94,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
9/24/2026
Additional Information
Sponsorship is not available for this role.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact IT Human Resources at ithr@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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IT Security Engineer Job Market in Virginia
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Who's Hiring


What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in IT security engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Active Security+ or CISSP certification required or preferred by most Virginia employers
- Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a closely related technical field
- Experience with NIST frameworks, FedRAMP, or DoD STIG compliance standards
- Ability to obtain or hold a U.S. DoD security clearance, often Secret or Top Secret
- Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms, endpoint detection tools, or vulnerability management systems
- Familiarity with cloud security across AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud environments
IT Security Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a it security engineer in Virginia?
Virginia does not require a state-issued license for IT security engineers, so the path runs through education and certifications recognized by hiring employers. Most Virginia employers expect a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, information technology, or computer science alongside industry credentials like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH. Because Northern Virginia's market is heavily defense-oriented, pursuing a DoD security clearance early significantly strengthens a candidate's standing with the region's largest employers.
How much do IT security engineers make in Virginia?
IT security engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $134,900 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $81,410 for the lowest 10% to over $205,750 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire it security engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring it security engineers in Virginia right now include Guidehouse, Virginia Tech, and Omni Federal, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal contractors and intelligence-community prime contractors makes it one of the most consistently active hiring markets in the country for this role.
Which Virginia cities have the most it security engineer jobs?
Chantilly, Blacksburg, and McLean have the most it security engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates because of its proximity to federal agencies, the Pentagon, and a dense cluster of defense and intelligence contractors, while Richmond draws demand from financial services firms and state government, and Hampton Roads benefits from significant Navy and military IT infrastructure.
Are there remote it security engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most technical fields. About 71% of it security engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the role centers on monitoring dashboards, configuring cloud tools, and policy work that travels well. Roles involving classified systems or on-site network infrastructure remain predominantly on-site, so clearance-required positions are far less likely to offer remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a it security engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through an IT helpdesk, systems administrator, or network technician role at a Virginia federal contractor, then moving into a junior security analyst position once you hold CompTIA Security+. Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC, and Leidos all run early-career and new-graduate hiring programs in Northern Virginia that explicitly consider candidates without deep security experience. Building a home lab, earning the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, and applying for cleared intern programs at Virginia-based defense firms gives candidates a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to it security engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to it security engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and beyond. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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