Security Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Washington DC
Washington DC is a leading market for security engineer roles, driven by federal agencies, defense contractors, and cybersecurity firms concentrated across the DC metro area. Major employers including Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, SAIC, and Palantir regularly sponsor international engineers. The region's deep ties to government and national security make it one of the most active hiring markets for this role.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT xAI
xAI's mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company's mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) team member as we expand into government and public sector applications of AI. This critical role will ensure that xAI operates within regulatory, ethical, operational, and federal boundaries while fostering a culture of integrity and resilience. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to safeguard our mission-driven work in AI development and deployment, including support for sensitive and classified environments.
Responsibilities:
- Execute security compliance implementation and audits (e.g., ISO 27001/42001, SOC2, FedRAMP HIGH, DoD Cloud Computing SRG IL5/IL6, NIST 800-53 rev 5, NIST 800-171/CMMC, Risk Management Framework).
- Work with 3PAOs (Third-Party Assessment Organizations) and federal government Authorizing Officials (AOs) to achieve compliance certifications, reports, and Authorized to Operate (ATO) status.
- Identify, assess, and prioritize risks related to AI operations, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and cloud deployments.
- Design and implement risk mitigation strategies, including monitoring systems, contingency plans, vulnerability scans, Plan of Action and Milestones (POAMs), and STIGs.
- Ensure the implementation, oversight, monitoring, and maintenance of security configurations, practices, and procedures throughout the project lifecycle.
- Serve as a liaison between system owners, security personnel, and cross-functional teams to facilitate effective communication, collaboration, and control implementation.
- Lead Risk Management Assessment and Authorization (A&A) processes, cloud system risk assessments, compliance reviews for new products/changes/features, and process enhancements.
- Conduct regular risk assessments, scenario analyses, and proactive evaluations of emerging threats, certifications, requirements, and technologies in the AI landscape.
- Oversee audits, certifications, third-party assessments, and vulnerability management to maintain compliance and operational credibility.
- Act as a subject matter expert, providing guidance on risk, compliance, and cybersecurity matters; translate business and technical risks for leadership.
- Create and present regular reports on GRC performance, risks, and compliance status to senior leadership and stakeholders.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Previous systems engineering experience strongly preferred
- Must have the ability to evaluate control objectives with IT configurations
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Information Security, Cybersecurity, or a related field
- Certifications like CISA, CRISC, CGEIT, Security+, CASP+, or similar preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in governance, risk management, compliance, or technology audit roles.
- Proven expertise in regulatory frameworks, data privacy, cybersecurity, and federal compliance standards, preferably in a technology, cloud, or AI-driven environment.
- Strong understanding of AI ethics, emerging technologies, Risk Management Framework (RMF), and their associated risks.
- Experience with vulnerability management, POAMs, STIG implementation, and cloud security controls.
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to balance innovation, oversight, and taking projects from conception to launch.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and translation skills, with experience influencing cross-functional teams and communicating risks to leadership.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to evolving priorities.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience in the tech or AI industry, particularly with startups, innovative organizations, or government/public sector engagements.
- Deep expertise maintaining frameworks such as FedRAMP, DoD Cloud Computing SRG, NIST 800-171, NIST 800-53, CMMC, and STIG/RMF policies (including validation via ACAS and similar tools).
- Familiarity with ISO 27001, ISO 42001, NIST, SOC 2, or similar compliance frameworks.
- Background in managing third-party risk, vendor compliance programs, or federal assessments.
- Understanding of cybersecurity controls for cloud service providers.
- Knowledge of government cloud services and evolving certification programs.
- 5+ years of security compliance or technology audit-related.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
$100,000 - $228,000 USD
Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.
xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.
ABOUT xAI
xAI's mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company's mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) team member as we expand into government and public sector applications of AI. This critical role will ensure that xAI operates within regulatory, ethical, operational, and federal boundaries while fostering a culture of integrity and resilience. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to safeguard our mission-driven work in AI development and deployment, including support for sensitive and classified environments.
Responsibilities:
- Execute security compliance implementation and audits (e.g., ISO 27001/42001, SOC2, FedRAMP HIGH, DoD Cloud Computing SRG IL5/IL6, NIST 800-53 rev 5, NIST 800-171/CMMC, Risk Management Framework).
- Work with 3PAOs (Third-Party Assessment Organizations) and federal government Authorizing Officials (AOs) to achieve compliance certifications, reports, and Authorized to Operate (ATO) status.
- Identify, assess, and prioritize risks related to AI operations, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and cloud deployments.
- Design and implement risk mitigation strategies, including monitoring systems, contingency plans, vulnerability scans, Plan of Action and Milestones (POAMs), and STIGs.
- Ensure the implementation, oversight, monitoring, and maintenance of security configurations, practices, and procedures throughout the project lifecycle.
- Serve as a liaison between system owners, security personnel, and cross-functional teams to facilitate effective communication, collaboration, and control implementation.
- Lead Risk Management Assessment and Authorization (A&A) processes, cloud system risk assessments, compliance reviews for new products/changes/features, and process enhancements.
- Conduct regular risk assessments, scenario analyses, and proactive evaluations of emerging threats, certifications, requirements, and technologies in the AI landscape.
- Oversee audits, certifications, third-party assessments, and vulnerability management to maintain compliance and operational credibility.
- Act as a subject matter expert, providing guidance on risk, compliance, and cybersecurity matters; translate business and technical risks for leadership.
- Create and present regular reports on GRC performance, risks, and compliance status to senior leadership and stakeholders.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Previous systems engineering experience strongly preferred
- Must have the ability to evaluate control objectives with IT configurations
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Information Security, Cybersecurity, or a related field
- Certifications like CISA, CRISC, CGEIT, Security+, CASP+, or similar preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in governance, risk management, compliance, or technology audit roles.
- Proven expertise in regulatory frameworks, data privacy, cybersecurity, and federal compliance standards, preferably in a technology, cloud, or AI-driven environment.
- Strong understanding of AI ethics, emerging technologies, Risk Management Framework (RMF), and their associated risks.
- Experience with vulnerability management, POAMs, STIG implementation, and cloud security controls.
- Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to balance innovation, oversight, and taking projects from conception to launch.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and translation skills, with experience influencing cross-functional teams and communicating risks to leadership.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to evolving priorities.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience in the tech or AI industry, particularly with startups, innovative organizations, or government/public sector engagements.
- Deep expertise maintaining frameworks such as FedRAMP, DoD Cloud Computing SRG, NIST 800-171, NIST 800-53, CMMC, and STIG/RMF policies (including validation via ACAS and similar tools).
- Familiarity with ISO 27001, ISO 42001, NIST, SOC 2, or similar compliance frameworks.
- Background in managing third-party risk, vendor compliance programs, or federal assessments.
- Understanding of cybersecurity controls for cloud service providers.
- Knowledge of government cloud services and evolving certification programs.
- 5+ years of security compliance or technology audit-related.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
$100,000 - $228,000 USD
Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.
xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.
Security Engineer Job Roles in Washington DC
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Search Security Engineer Jobs in Washington DCSecurity Engineer Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for security engineers in Washington DC?
Federal contractors and cybersecurity firms are the most active sponsors for security engineers in the DC area. Companies like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, SAIC, Mandiant, and CrowdStrike have consistent H-1B visa filing histories for security engineering roles. Large technology firms with DC offices, including Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, also sponsor regularly. Defense-adjacent roles may have additional clearance requirements that affect eligibility for some international candidates.
Which visa types are most common for security engineer roles in Washington DC?
The H-1B is the most common visa category for security engineers in DC, as the role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a relevant bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, information security, or a related field. Candidates from Australia may qualify for the E-3 visa. Canadian and Mexican nationals can explore the TN visa under the computer systems analyst category, though the specific role title affects eligibility.
How to find security engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship willingness, making it straightforward to identify security engineer roles in the DC metro area where employers are open to sponsoring. Because DC's market spans federal contractors, commercial cybersecurity firms, and technology companies, using a sponsorship-focused search like Migrate Mate saves significant time compared to manually reviewing postings that rarely disclose sponsorship status upfront.
Which areas in Washington DC have the most security engineer sponsorship jobs?
Most security engineer sponsorship activity in the DC metro area is concentrated in the broader National Capital Region rather than DC proper. Northern Virginia, particularly Tysons Corner, Reston, and the Route 28 corridor, hosts a high density of defense contractors and cybersecurity firms. Bethesda and Rockville in Maryland are also significant clusters, with many federal health and intelligence agency contractors based there.
Are there any DC-specific considerations for security engineers seeking visa sponsorship?
Security clearance requirements are a practical reality for many DC-area security engineer roles. Positions supporting federal agencies or defense contractors often require a Secret or Top Secret clearance, which is generally not available to non-US citizens or green card holders. This narrows the sponsorable pool to commercial or unclassified work, so focusing applications on firms with both cleared and non-cleared practices, such as major consulting firms, tends to produce more viable sponsorship opportunities.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored security engineer jobs in Washington DC?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.