Principal Cyber Security Engineer US Federal

About the role

Your work days are brighter here.

We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other.

Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back.

In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Role

This role will support one or more direct or indirect contracts with the U.S. Federal Government which, due to federal government security requirements, mandates that all Workday personnel working on the contracts be United States citizens (naturalized or native).

Do you have a passion for security? The infrastructure cybersecurity engineering team is responsible for building, deploying and operating security tooling, as well as providing consulting to service teams. Inherent to the role is an ability to develop using industry standard languages. Innovation and creativity are heavily emphasized upon and encouraged at Workday to combat an ever evolving threat landscape.

The tools, processes and standards developed by the team are a critical part of the threat defense capabilities of Workday. Having an infrastructure presence in both public and private clouds, the team is repeatedly challenged in new ways to improve existing toolchains and build new ones.

Candidates for this role should have an analytical and problem solving approach, capability to learn new skills, comfortable with accepting feedback and able to work well with a team.

About You

• This position requires a TS/SCI with CI polygraph security clearance. Applicants MUST ALREADY possess a valid and active TS/SCI with CI polygraph security clearance.
• May be required to be on site at client locations in the DC, MD, and VA (DMV) area

Basic Qualifications

• Experience with Linux operating systems or containers
• Experience with development/scripting/automation language
• Knowledge of cloud security, AWS or GCP
• Knowledge of threat modeling, security policy, NIST 800-53 security standards and functional requirements

Other Qualifications

• Infrastructure as Code (IaC) development
• Knowledge of Kubernetes
• Experience with CI/CD
• Knowledge of REST API and HTTP protocol
• Experience with container security
• Knowledge of common encryption functions and authorization schemas
• Preferred DoD 8570/8140 compliant with at least IAT Level Il certification, including a current Computing Environment (CE) credential and one approved specialty certification (e.g., CompTIA CySA+, GICSP, CASP+)

Workday is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Pay and benefits

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process.

Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please

Primary Location: USA.VA.Reston

Primary Location Base Pay Range

$184,800 USD - $277,200 USD

Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range

$167,200 USD - $300,000 USD

Our Approach to Flexible Work

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work.

We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role).

This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Workday prohibits taking adverse action against any candidate or employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, requesting one or more work accommodations, exercising a privacy right, or cooperating in an investigation in accordance with applicable law. Any employee who retaliates against a candidate or employee for doing so may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law.

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