Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:
- Advance Airport Development
- Transform the Customer Experience
- Optimize Ongoing Business
- Cultivate Our Culture
Here, you’ll find a workplace culture that is anchored in our collective mindsets: collaboration, empathy, thoughtful decision-making, active listening, and always believing the best in people. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.
Why You'll Love Working at SAN:
- Location: The new Airport Authority Administration building, located on the San Diego International Airport campus and near the waterfront, providing stunning views of our runway, San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the city skyline.
- Hybrid Work Schedule: We offer a flexible hybrid schedule, with an opportunity for remote work based on operational requirements, while supporting both in-office collaboration and remote productivity.
- Salary: The hiring salary for Senior Cybersecurity Engineer is starting at $111,713. The full pay range for Senior Cybersecurity Engineer is $95,481-$152,771.
- Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
- Wellness: Take advantage of multiple on-site gyms with regular fitness classes, outdoor working areas, fitness discounts for all levels and goals, monthly fruit deliveries, rewards for volunteer time, financial wellness advisors, and a campus with easy access to some of San Diego's best walking trails.
- Application Deadline: September 12, 2025. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.
About the Job:
The Information & Technology Services department is looking for a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer with a strategic command of enterprise security to safeguard critical airport systems, data, and operations. This role is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and oversight of cybersecurity tools and practices that keep the Authority resilient, compliant, and prepared for evolving threats.
This role is built for someone with progressive, hands-on experience — from early IT foundations like help desk to advanced cybersecurity engineering — who now thrives in technical leadership. The Senior Cybersecurity Engineer will lead tabletop exercises, conduct employee trainings, review RFOs across departments, and work closely with federal partners like TSA to ensure the airport meets the highest standards of security and compliance.
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and technically adept, able to balance the precision of documentation with the agility needed in live incidents. They will demonstrate clear communication across technical and non-technical audiences, collaborate with internal stakeholders and external agencies, and translate complex risks into actionable solutions.
For SAN, this role isn’t just about protecting networks — it’s about protecting the systems and people that keep millions of passengers moving safely through the busiest single-runway airport in the US.
What You’ll Do:
- Implement and Support Cybersecurity Platforms: Manage SIEM, EDR, firewall policies, WAF, and email defense solutions to strengthen the Authority’s security posture.
- Monitor and Respond to Threats: Collaborate with internal teams and the MSSP to oversee incident response, threat intelligence, and vulnerability management across airport systems.
- Lead Assessments and Exercises: Conduct risk assessments, vulnerability analysis, tabletop simulations, and mitigation planning to ensure readiness.
- Development of and Enforce Policies: Maintain cybersecurity policies, standards, and procedures aligned with NIST, CIS, and regulatory requirements; review RFOs and contracts for security provisions.
- Oversee IT and OT Security: Partner with vendors to assess and secure operational technology systems critical to airport operations.
- Promote Awareness and Resilience: Deliver employee training, guide disaster recovery planning, and recommend emerging tools to adapt to evolving threats.
The Skills You Need:
Leveraging Technology – Deploy and support enterprise-grade cybersecurity tools including Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Web Application Firewalls (WAF), and email protection platforms. Apply networking and SDN expertise (OSI model, IP addressing, subnetting, firewall fundamentals), preferably with Cisco DNAC, Catalyst Center, and Identity Service Engine (ISE). Process Knowledge and Risk Assessment – Align operations with frameworks like NIST and CIS; strengthen workflows in patch management, encryption (RSA, AES, NordLocker), and secure configurations. Identify and evaluate threats, translate vulnerabilities into business risk, and recommend mitigation strategies through continuous assessment. Critical Thinking and Analysis – Examine complex security data; interpret alerts from SIEM, EDR, and packet analysis tools (Wireshark, Snort, TCPDump); investigate anomalies, distinguish real threats from false positives, and recommend long-term improvements. Problem-Solving and Agility – Respond effectively to evolving incidents; lead tabletop exercises, vulnerability analysis, and simulations; adjust strategies in real time while maintaining clarity under pressure. Relationship Management – Build trust with internal teams, leadership, vendors, and federal partners such as TSA. Collaborate cross-functionally and externally to support strong cybersecurity outcomes. Communication and Innovation – Present technical findings in clear, influential ways for varied audiences; develop reports, training, and advocacy for initiatives. Stay ahead of cybersecurity trends, recommend emerging tools, and integrate lessons learned to improve resilience.
The Experience You Need to Have**:
- Five years of progressively responsible experience in information technology, with emphasis in cybersecurity engineering, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a computer science, information security, or a closely related field.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification may be substituted for the educational requirement.
Preferred Education, Certification, and Licenses:
- Familiarity with Cisco DNAC or Cisco Catalyst Center and Identity Service Engine (ISE) strongly desired.
- Designation as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Security+, CCNA, CCIE, Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+), GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), GIAC Cloud Security Essentials (GCLD), PCI Internal Security Assessor (ISA), GIAC Python Coder (GPYC).
**Don’t meet every requirement? That’s okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don’t—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it’s not the right fit, we’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land.
EEO Statement
It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Physical & Mental Demands
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.
