Security Operations Engineer Jobs in New Mexico
Security Operations Engineer jobs in New Mexico concentrate in defense contracting, federal agency support, and national laboratory cybersecurity, with openings at every level from entry-level analyst to senior architect. Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by employers like Sandia National Laboratories, Leidos, and Northrop Grumman, which maintain long-term operations in the state. Threat detection, SIEM administration, and incident response are the most consistently in-demand specialties across New Mexico postings. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 6+ Security Operations Engineer jobs
About Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
- Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
- Extraordinary co-workers
- Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
- Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
- Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
- Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like
We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative, and hard-working Computing Infrastructure Engineer to join our High Security Operations IT Services team. As the selected candidate, you will perform the full lifecycle management (analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, integration, and maintenance) of multi-user information systems including servers, storage, virtual and cloud infrastructures, including the associated components and subsystems. You will maintain the integrity of servers and systems to meet established requirements for service levels, disaster recovery, business continuity, and security. You will also coordinate and work with customers, suppliers, and domain experts such as networking, software, and desktop personnel.
As a member of our team, you will ensure alignment to IT and Sandia Quality standard, including following change management for upgrades, definition of technical standards, functionality tests, documentation, and administration of licensing.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Work independently on assignments which support organizational and Sandia projects, programs, and business operations.
- Develop solutions to specific problems related to issues of moderate scope, complexity, and impact with either internal or external customers.
- Make recommendations to management on policies and general business operations and activities.
- Recommend changes to methods or processes and occasionally leads teams and participates in planning, conducting, and reporting on projects.
- Resolve integrated hardware and software architecture solutions that meet performance, scalability, reliability, and security needs.
- Due to the nature of work, successful candidate must be able to work onsite.
Salary Range
$87,400 - $199,700
- Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.
Qualifications We Require
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or relevant field plus five (5) years of experience; or equivalent (Associates + 9 years or HS Diploma + 13 years)
- 5 year's experience in server/desktop HW/SW Support, System Administration or Network Administration
- Experience utilizing patch management tools such as Ivanti or SCCM
- Experience using Hosted Based Security Systems such as Symantec Endpoint Protection, McAfee, SentinelOne, or Windows Defender
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and a SCI clearance which may require a polygraph test. Additional background information may be required for sensitive programs.
Qualifications We Desire
- Active DOE Q-Level Security Clearance or DOD-TS
- Experience with: Active Directory, ITSM/Remedy, Veritas Backup Exec, Commvault Systems, Service Now
- Networking tools such as Cisco IOS, Arista - Router and Switch Configuration - TCP/IP, Network Monitoring, NIC support, Printer/PC/Wireless Networking, Ethernet, Internet, E-mail, Network Monitoring/Packet Sniffing
- Experience working on IT systems in an air-gapped environment
- Experience managing Linux OS to include any of the following: RHEL, Ubuntu, or other Linux systems.
- Demonstrated experience assisting in cyber security audits and implementing controls such as STIGS and Nessus Vulnerability Scanner
- Experience managing Microsoft SQL/MS Exchange/MS Skype
About Our Team
High Security Operations (HSO) performs high-impact, national security work for a broad segment of the Intelligence Community (IC) and other high-level security customers. As part of the HSO, the Information Technology Services Department, 05198 develops and maintains secure IT products and services in support of Other Government Agencies that partner with Sandia in the research and development of national security solutions. Our IT services expand across cyber security, system access, desktop administration, networking, systems administration, and hardware/software support High Security Operations (HSO) performs high-impact, national security work for a broad segment of the Intelligence Community (IC) and other high-level security customers. As part of the HSO, the Information Technology Services Department, 05198 develops and maintains secure IT products and services in support of Other Government Agencies that partner with Sandia in the research and development of national security solutions. Our IT services expand across cyber security, system access, desktop administration, networking, systems administration, and hardware/software support.
Posting Duration
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Security Clearance
Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and SCI access, both of which require US citizenship. SCI access may also require a polygraph examination. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain these levels of access may be impacted.
Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
EEO
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
About Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
- Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
- Extraordinary co-workers
- Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
- Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
- Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
- Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like
We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative, and hard-working Computing Infrastructure Engineer to join our High Security Operations IT Services team. As the selected candidate, you will perform the full lifecycle management (analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, integration, and maintenance) of multi-user information systems including servers, storage, virtual and cloud infrastructures, including the associated components and subsystems. You will maintain the integrity of servers and systems to meet established requirements for service levels, disaster recovery, business continuity, and security. You will also coordinate and work with customers, suppliers, and domain experts such as networking, software, and desktop personnel.
As a member of our team, you will ensure alignment to IT and Sandia Quality standard, including following change management for upgrades, definition of technical standards, functionality tests, documentation, and administration of licensing.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Work independently on assignments which support organizational and Sandia projects, programs, and business operations.
- Develop solutions to specific problems related to issues of moderate scope, complexity, and impact with either internal or external customers.
- Make recommendations to management on policies and general business operations and activities.
- Recommend changes to methods or processes and occasionally leads teams and participates in planning, conducting, and reporting on projects.
- Resolve integrated hardware and software architecture solutions that meet performance, scalability, reliability, and security needs.
- Due to the nature of work, successful candidate must be able to work onsite.
Salary Range
$87,400 - $199,700
- Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.
Qualifications We Require
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or relevant field plus five (5) years of experience; or equivalent (Associates + 9 years or HS Diploma + 13 years)
- 5 year's experience in server/desktop HW/SW Support, System Administration or Network Administration
- Experience utilizing patch management tools such as Ivanti or SCCM
- Experience using Hosted Based Security Systems such as Symantec Endpoint Protection, McAfee, SentinelOne, or Windows Defender
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and a SCI clearance which may require a polygraph test. Additional background information may be required for sensitive programs.
Qualifications We Desire
- Active DOE Q-Level Security Clearance or DOD-TS
- Experience with: Active Directory, ITSM/Remedy, Veritas Backup Exec, Commvault Systems, Service Now
- Networking tools such as Cisco IOS, Arista - Router and Switch Configuration - TCP/IP, Network Monitoring, NIC support, Printer/PC/Wireless Networking, Ethernet, Internet, E-mail, Network Monitoring/Packet Sniffing
- Experience working on IT systems in an air-gapped environment
- Experience managing Linux OS to include any of the following: RHEL, Ubuntu, or other Linux systems.
- Demonstrated experience assisting in cyber security audits and implementing controls such as STIGS and Nessus Vulnerability Scanner
- Experience managing Microsoft SQL/MS Exchange/MS Skype
About Our Team
High Security Operations (HSO) performs high-impact, national security work for a broad segment of the Intelligence Community (IC) and other high-level security customers. As part of the HSO, the Information Technology Services Department, 05198 develops and maintains secure IT products and services in support of Other Government Agencies that partner with Sandia in the research and development of national security solutions. Our IT services expand across cyber security, system access, desktop administration, networking, systems administration, and hardware/software support High Security Operations (HSO) performs high-impact, national security work for a broad segment of the Intelligence Community (IC) and other high-level security customers. As part of the HSO, the Information Technology Services Department, 05198 develops and maintains secure IT products and services in support of Other Government Agencies that partner with Sandia in the research and development of national security solutions. Our IT services expand across cyber security, system access, desktop administration, networking, systems administration, and hardware/software support.
Posting Duration
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Security Clearance
Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance and SCI access, both of which require US citizenship. SCI access may also require a polygraph examination. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain these levels of access may be impacted.
Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
EEO
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
See All 6 Security Operations Engineer Jobs in New Mexico
Find roles in New Mexico that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSecurity Operations Engineer Jobs by City in New Mexico
Where New Mexico roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Security Operations Engineer Job Market in New Mexico
A snapshot from current New Mexico openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What New Mexico Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in security operations engineer jobs across New Mexico.
- Active or eligible DoD security clearance, Secret or Top Secret, required by most New Mexico employers
- Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or a closely related technical field
- Industry certification such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH strongly preferred or required
- Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms such as Splunk, IBM QRadar, or Microsoft Sentinel
- Demonstrated ability to perform incident response, threat hunting, and vulnerability analysis
- Familiarity with NIST, RMF, and federal compliance frameworks common in New Mexico defense environments
Security Operations Engineer Jobs in New Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a security operations engineer in New Mexico?
Start with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or information technology, then earn a foundational certification such as CompTIA Security+ or CySA+. New Mexico does not require a state-issued license for this role, but nearly all employers in the state's defense and federal sectors require or sponsor a Department of Defense security clearance. Applying to junior analyst or security operations center roles at national labs and defense contractors is the most direct path into the field here.
How much do security operations engineers make in New Mexico?
Security operations engineers in New Mexico earn a median of about $130,070 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $99,100 for the lowest 10% to over $199,990 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire security operations engineers in New Mexico?
New Mexico security operations engineer roles are posted by Oracle, KBR, and Allied Universal and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. The state's concentration of national laboratories, Air Force installations, and federal agency offices means defense contractors and systems integrators account for a large share of available positions.
Which New Mexico cities have the most security operations engineer jobs?
Anthony and Albuquerque are the New Mexico cities with the most security operations engineer openings. Albuquerque dominates the market as home to Sandia National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base, and the bulk of the state's defense contractor footprint, while Santa Fe draws openings tied to state government IT security and federal agency offices, and Las Cruces benefits from proximity to White Sands Missile Range and New Mexico State University research programs.
Are there remote security operations engineer jobs in New Mexico?
Yes, and more than many technical fields, since much of the work involves monitoring dashboards, managing alerts, and responding to incidents that can be handled from any secure workstation. About 0% of security operations engineer openings tied to New Mexico are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, though positions requiring a clearance and access to classified systems are typically on-site. Threat intelligence analysis and SIEM administration roles tend to be the most remote-eligible specialties in this state.
How can I get hired as a security operations engineer in New Mexico with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a security operations center analyst role, which many New Mexico defense contractors and national labs post as a stepping stone before the full engineer title. Sandia National Laboratories and Leidos both run early-career and recent-graduate programs in Albuquerque that hire candidates with a relevant degree and a basic clearance eligibility. Earning CompTIA Security+ and demonstrating hands-on lab work through a home SIEM setup or capture-the-flag competitions gives candidates a concrete edge when applying to those programs.
Where can I find and apply to security operations engineer jobs in New Mexico?
You can find and apply to security operations engineer jobs in New Mexico on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your clearance level, certifications, and experience, then apply directly to the ones that fit. New postings are added regularly, so checking back often is worthwhile given how quickly cleared positions can close.
See All 6 Security Operations Engineer Jobs in New Mexico
Find roles in New Mexico that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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