Principal Cybersecurity Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Principal Cybersecurity Engineers are among the most consistently sponsored roles in tech. Most positions require a master's degree or equivalent experience, qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations, and attract employers with established visa programs across defense, finance, and enterprise software. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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This role is four days onsite at our Seneca One Buffalo, NY location, with the flexibility to work from home one day per week.
Overview:
Responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing enterprise security architectures, platforms, and frameworks that protect the organization's users, applications, data, and cloud services. Leads the development and enhancement of Security Service Edge (SSE) capabilities including Web/Cloud Proxy, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Enterprise Browser. Solves highly complex cybersecurity challenges while aligning security outcomes with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and evolving threat landscapes. Acts as a knowledge resource and mentor for less experienced engineers across multiple cybersecurity disciplines. Completes day-to-day engineering support activities and strategic transformation initiatives.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Partner with senior engineers and leadership to define enterprise SSE, Zero Trust, and data protection strategies that reduce organizational risk while supporting business transformation, cloud adoption, hybrid work, and AI enablement initiatives.
- Lead architecture, engineering, configuration, and deployment of enterprise security platforms including Web/Cloud Proxy, CASB, DLP, ZTNA, Enterprise Browser, and other security controls supporting secure access and data protection.
- Define testing methodologies, validation frameworks, and security effectiveness metrics to ensure comprehensive assessment of data protection technologies across the organization.
- Lead deployment efforts for complex systems and technologies, coordinating with cross-functional teams and providing technical oversight to ensure successful implementation.
- Establish tuning standards, operational baselines, and best practices for data protection policies, cloud access governance, email protection controls, browser security, and Zero Trust enforcement mechanisms.
- Lead automation initiatives utilizing APIs, orchestration platforms, AI-driven capabilities, and security workflows to improve operational efficiency, accelerate response times, and reduce manual effort.
- Design and implement comprehensive data protection strategies to identify, classify, govern, monitor, and protect sensitive data across endpoints, cloud services, collaboration platforms, email, and SaaS applications.
- Architect and enhance Zero Trust Network Access solutions that replace legacy network-centric security models with identity, device, application, and risk-aware access controls.
- Collaborate with stakeholders across Cybersecurity, Technology, Legal, Risk, Compliance, Data Governance, and Business Units to integrate security controls seamlessly into business processes and digital transformation initiatives.
- Drive continuous improvement across security platforms and engineering teams by evaluating emerging technologies, threat intelligence, industry trends, and regulatory requirements to improve Cybersecurity effectiveness.
- Maintain strategic vendor relationships for key security technologies, providing oversight for issue resolution, product roadmaps, and operational optimization.
- Advise leadership on security technology investments, budget planning, platform rationalization, and future-state architecture decisions supporting enterprise security objectives.
- Lead adoption and governance of AI security capabilities, ensuring visibility, risk management, policy enforcement, and secure integration of AI applications and services throughout the enterprise.
- Understand and adhere to the Company's risk and regulatory standards, policies, and controls in accordance with the Company's Risk Appetite. Design, implement, maintain, and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis. Identify risk-related issues requiring escalation to management.
- Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
- Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit findings together with any issues raised by external regulators, as applicable.
Complete other related duties as assigned.
Scope of Responsibilities:
- Designs and implements security architectures incorporating Web/Cloud Proxy, Data Loss Prevention, Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Enterprise Browser, and related capabilities to secure user access to applications, internet resources, and organizational data regardless of location.
- Designs and implements enterprise data protection strategies and technologies to prevent unauthorized access, transmission, exposure, or loss of sensitive information across endpoints, cloud environments, SaaS platforms, collaboration tools, email, and AI applications.
- Architects and manages data classification, labeling, information protection, insider risk management, data lifecycle management, compliance, and governance capabilities.
- Develops and implements enterprise Zero Trust strategies focused on continuous verification, least privilege access, segmentation, identity-based security, device trust, and risk-adaptive access control models.
- Designs and implements security controls, governance frameworks, monitoring, and risk management practices for enterprise AI platforms and services, including AI application discovery, data protection, regulatory compliance, and AI risk visibility.
- Designs and implements security controls and architectures protecting cloud infrastructure, SaaS applications, cloud workloads, and enterprise data from cybersecurity threats and malicious activities.
- Partners with leaders within Cybersecurity, Technology, Data Governance, Risk Management, and Executive Leadership across the organization.
- Exercises judgment in selecting methods, technologies, architectural patterns, and implementation approaches to achieve strategic security objectives. Operates with significant autonomy and serves as a trusted technical advisor on complex enterprise security initiatives. Recognized subject matter expert across multiple cybersecurity domains including SSE, Data Protection, Zero Trust Architecture, Cloud Security, and AI Security.
Manager Responsibilities:
No supervisory responsibilities.
Education and Experience Required:
- Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 11 years’ higher education and/or work experience.
- Advanced understanding of Security Service Edge (SSE), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), CASB, ZTNA, Enterprise Browser, Data Protection, and Zero Trust Architecture principles. Expertise in designing enterprise-scale cloud security architectures across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Education and Experience Preferred:
- Expert knowledge of security architecture, infrastructure lifecycle management, vendor best practices, and enterprise systems design.
- Excellent ability to translate business, regulatory, and operational requirements into scalable security solutions and technical implementations.
- Advanced level of critical thinking, risk analysis, and problem solving.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, effectively articulating complex technical concepts to executive, technical, risk, audit, and business audiences.
- Experience partnering with senior leaders to design and implement strategic cybersecurity solutions that support business objectives.
- Experience effectively collaborating with and influencing peers, stakeholders, and executive leadership.
- Demonstrated proficiency in cross-functional collaboration, decision-making, and organizational change management.
- Ability to effectively serve in an indirect leadership role while driving enterprise-wide security initiatives.
- Advanced ability to analyze large datasets, security telemetry, and operational metrics to identify trends and drive informed decision-making.
- Experience securing AI platforms, generative AI applications, and AI-enabled business processes using governance, monitoring, and AI security solutions.
- Develop and maintain multi-year technology roadmaps and strategic plans for assigned security platforms, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity strategy, and business priorities.
- Design and implement security controls supporting regulatory and compliance requirements including NYS DFS, GLBA, FFIEC guidance, data privacy obligations, and internal risk management standards.
- Industry certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, GIAC, Microsoft Security Certifications, or equivalent preferred.
M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $139,700.00 - $232,900.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.
Location:
Buffalo, New York, United States of America
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer
Target employers with active security clearance programs
Defense contractors and federal IT firms sponsor visas regularly and have dedicated immigration teams. These employers are accustomed to the process and less likely to balk at sponsorship costs for a senior security hire.
Emphasize your specialty occupation credentials upfront
USCIS scrutinizes cybersecurity roles for specialty occupation eligibility. Lead with your degree in computer science, information security, or a directly related field, and frame your experience around that specific discipline, not general IT.
Position yourself around a defined technical domain
Employers sponsor faster when your expertise is narrow and critical. Whether it's cloud security architecture, zero trust frameworks, or OT security, a clear specialization makes the sponsorship case easier to justify internally.
Get security certifications that reduce employer hesitation
CISSP, CISM, or OSCP credentials signal seniority and reduce the perceived risk of sponsoring an international candidate. They also strengthen your LCA and I-129 petition by documenting specialized knowledge USCIS expects.
Address the H-1B lottery risk directly with employers
If you're subject to the cap, acknowledge it early and explain the timeline. Employers who understand the process move faster. Australians eligible for the E-3 visa can sidestep the lottery entirely, which is worth mentioning explicitly.
Browse open roles on Migrate Mate before cold outreach
Migrate Mate filters for jobs with confirmed visa sponsorship. Applying to roles already listed there means the employer has signaled willingness to sponsor, which significantly improves your odds compared to unverified postings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Principal Cybersecurity Engineer qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS considers cybersecurity engineering a specialty occupation when the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science, information security, or a directly related field. At the principal level, the technical depth and degree requirement are usually clear-cut. Roles with vague job descriptions or no stated degree requirement can face RFEs, so the job posting language matters.
What degree do I need for a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer to get sponsored?
Most employers and USCIS petitions for this role require a bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical field. A master's degree strengthens the specialty occupation argument and is increasingly common at the principal level. Degrees in unrelated fields, even with strong work history, can complicate the petition and may require a credential evaluation.
Which visa types are most common for Principal Cybersecurity Engineers?
The H-1B visa is the most common pathway, though it requires surviving the annual lottery unless you're cap-exempt. Australian citizens can use the E-3 visa, which has no lottery and can be obtained directly at a consulate with a job offer and approved LCA. O-1A is available for candidates with documented exceptional ability, including major conference presentations, patents, or peer-reviewed research in cybersecurity.
Do employers typically cover visa sponsorship costs for this role?
At the principal level, most employers absorb the employer-side filing fees, which are legally required in some cases. Legal fees and premium processing are commonly covered as well, particularly at mid-to-large companies with established immigration programs. Smaller firms or startups may be less predictable. You can use Migrate Mate to find roles where sponsorship is already confirmed, which filters out employers unlikely to cover costs.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new employer if I switch jobs as a Principal Cybersecurity Engineer?
Yes. H-1B portability allows you to start working for a new employer as soon as they file a transfer petition, without waiting for approval, provided your current status is valid. The new employer must file Form I-129 and an approved LCA for the new role. At the principal level, the specialty occupation argument is typically straightforward, but the new petition still goes through full USCIS review.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Principal Cybersecurity Engineer jobs?
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.