Principal Cybersecurity Specialist

GFT is seeking a Principal Cybersecurity Specialist to join a hybrid team based in Texas, with regular attendance at the Houston, TX office. In this role, you will lead and support complex cybersecurity initiatives focused on analyzing and protecting IT and OT systems, networks, and data, while contributing to client engagements and business development.

What you’ll do

• Lead security assessments of technology systems and recommend system changes to align with standards, policy, guidelines, strategies, and security best practices.
• Generate, gather, and track security metrics, build scorecards, and communicate results to technology leadership.
• Participate in planning sessions for projects or new technologies to drive process improvement in the functional area.
• Build relationships with developers, stakeholders, and security champions to embed security principles into engineering design and deployments.
• Research new tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) in public and closed forums, assess risk, and implement or validate controls with colleagues.
• Provide subject matter expertise to resolve problems, support security incidents, and conduct forensic investigations.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including network architecture diagrams, security plan controls, and risk assessments.
• Lead evaluation and recommendations for hardware and software systems that provide security functions, including investigation of Intrusion Detection System (IDS) alerts, incident management, forensic investigations, response, and reporting.
• Support business development and client engagement by identifying emerging needs, developing opportunities to expand cybersecurity services, and contributing to follow-on work.
• Contribute to proposals, scopes of work, presentations, client meetings, and pursuit activities by translating client cybersecurity challenges into practical service solutions.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related field plus 5+ years of relevant experience.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience required to satisfy education and experience requirements.
• Professional security-related certifications (examples include Security+, CISSP, CISM, CCSP, etc.).
• Excellent customer service, strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work in an integrated team environment, and self-motivation.
• Proficiency securing Windows and *nix operating systems, endpoint applications, networking protocols, and devices.
• Experience with industry standard information security technologies.
• Experience performing technical risk and vulnerability assessments.
• Strong analytical skills, including experience working in or supporting a Security Operations Center.

Technologies

• Windows, *nix, TCP/IP, LAN, WAN, VPN, wireless
• IDS, ICS/SCADA
• AWS, Microsoft Azure
• Palo Alto, Darktrace, Cisco
• PCI, NIST, CIS, ISO

Compensation and employment details

• Location: Houston, TX (hybrid). Regular attendance at the Houston office is required.
• Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Salary Range: USD 125,000 - 170,000 per year. Salary depends on experience and geographic location.

Benefits

• Hybrid work environment (in-person and remote).
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, plus medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Professional development support, including access to internal and external training programs and encouragement to participate in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Other

• Criminal background check required for all advertised positions.
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