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Senior Threat Researcher- Threat Detection Engineer

Role overview

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of relevant threat research experience, with 5+ years in threat detection writing
  • Hands-on scripting experience in PowerShell, Bash, and Python; experience with Python data science libraries (NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib)
  • Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, testing frameworks, and automation principles
  • Proficiency in analyzing logs from firewalls, proxies, and security infrastructure to identify anomalies

Responsibilities

  • Develop countermeasures to detect advanced threats based on research and CTU intelligence
  • Analyze endpoint behaviors and logs to design detections using multi-source telemetry
  • Continuously refine and monitor detection rules to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio for alerts
  • Collaborate on the development of internal tools, automation, and detection infrastructure

About the company

Sophos logo

Sophos

Sophos is a worldwide leader and innovator of advanced cybersecurity solutions, including Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and incident response services and a broad portfolio of endpoint, network, email, and cloud security technologies that help organizations defeat cyberattacks. As one of the largest pure-play cybersecurity providers, Sophos defends more than 500,000 organizations and more than 100 million users globally from active adversaries, ransomware, phishing, malware, and more. Sophos’ services and products connect through its cloud-based Sophos Central management console and are powered by Sophos X-Ops, the company’s cross-domain threat intelligence unit. Sophos X-Ops intelligence optimizes the entire Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem, which includes a centralized data lake that leverages a rich set of open APIs available to customers, partners, developers, and other cybersecurity and information technology vendors. Sophos provides cybersecurity-as-a-service to organizations needing fully-managed, turnkey security solutions. Customers can also manage their cybersecurity directly with Sophos’ security operations platform or use a hybrid approach by supplementing their in-house teams with Sophos’ services, including threat hunting and remediation. Sophos sells through reseller partners and managed service providers (MSPs) worldwide. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com

Company details

Company typeLarge
Company size1001 - 5000

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Job description

About Us
Sophos is a global leader and innovator of advanced security solutions for defeating cyberattacks. The company acquired Secureworks in February 2025, bringing together two pioneers that have redefined the cybersecurity industry with their innovative, native AI-optimized services, technologies and products. Sophos is now the largest pure-play Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, supporting more than 28,000 organizations. In addition to MDR and other services, Sophos’ complete portfolio includes industry-leading endpoint, network, email, and cloud security that interoperate and adapt to defend through the Sophos Central platform. Secureworks provides the innovative, market-leading Taegis XDR/MDR, identity threat detection and response (ITDR), next-gen SIEM capabilities, managed risk, and a comprehensive set of advisory services. Sophos sells all these solutions through reseller partners, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) worldwide, defending more than 600,000 organizations worldwide from phishing, ransomware, data theft, other every day and state-sponsored cybercrimes. The solutions are powered by historical and real-time threat intelligence from Sophos X-Ops and the newly added Counter Threat Unit (CTU). Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

Role Summary
We are seeking a detail-oriented and technically skilled Detection Engineer to join our X-OPS team. In this role, you will be responsible for analyzing advanced security threats—ranging from malware to complex web attacks—and translating threat intelligence into high-fidelity detections across our platform. Your work will help ensure our analysts and clients receive highly accurate, actionable alerts with minimal noise.
 
You will leverage data from over 40 third-party and internal sources, partner with our CTU Threat Intelligence team, and use a range of scripting and automation tools to strengthen detection capabilities. The ideal candidate is a hands-on security practitioner with a deep understanding of endpoint behavior, malware analysis, and detection development who thrives in fast-paced, technical environments.

What you will do
  • Develop countermeasures to detect advanced threats based on research and intelligence from the CTU team.
  • Analyze endpoint behaviors and logs to design detections using multi-source telemetry.
  • Continuously refine and monitor detection rules to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio for alerts.
  • Research and implement alert handling for new device ingestions, ensuring high-value signal delivery.
  • Leverage internal tooling to distinguish native from standard integrations for detection accuracy.
  • Collaborate on the development of internal tools, automation, and detection infrastructure.
  • Act as a subject matter expert across departments including Product Management, Marketing, and Labs Research.

  • What you will bring
  • Essential skills
  • Strong passion for cybersecurity research and the ability to quickly learn emerging technologies.
  • 10+ yrs of relevant experience in threat research, 5+ yrs in detection writing
  • Hands-on experience in scripting languages (PowerShell, Bash, Python) and use of Python data science libraries (e.g., NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib).
  • Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, testing frameworks, and automation principles.
  • Proficiency in analyzing logs from firewalls, proxies, and security infrastructure to identify anomalies.
  • Familiarity with event logs, traffic pattern anomalies, and threat hunting methodologies.
  • Strong understanding of endpoint detection, Linux/Unix and Windows OS internals, vulnerability identification, and workflow automation.
  • Experience with event correlation and incident reconstruction using log data is a plus,
  • Network traffic analysis skills, including identification of anomalous or malicious traits is a plus.
  • Solid grasp of database querying, systems architecture, and process automation for operational improvements is a nice to have.
  •  
  • Desirable skills
  • Experience in malware analysis, including static/dynamic techniques and reverse engineering (IA32/64, ARM binaries).
  • Forensic analysis of memory and disk images across various OS and file system types.
  • #LI-Remote
    #B2

    Ready to Join Us?
    At Sophos, we believe in the power of diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. Research shows that candidates sometimes hesitate to apply if they don't check every box in a job description. We challenge that notion. Your unique experiences and skills might be exactly what we need to enhance our team. Don't let a checklist hold you back – we encourage you to apply.

    What's Great About Sophos?
    ·   Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. However, some roles may necessitate a hybrid approach. While we are a remote first organization, applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship.
    ·   Our people – we innovate and create, all of which are accompanied by a great sense of fun and team spirit
    ·   Employee-led diversity and inclusion networks that build community and provide education and advocacy
    ·   Annual charity and fundraising initiatives and volunteer days for employees to support local communities
    ·   Global employee sustainability initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint
    ·   Global fitness and trivia competitions to keep our bodies and minds sharp
    ·   Global wellbeing days for employees to relax and recharge 
    ·   Monthly wellbeing webinars and training to support employee health and wellbeing

    Our Commitment To You
    We’re proud of the diverse and inclusive environment we have at Sophos, and we’re committed to ensuring equality of opportunity.   We believe that diversity, combined with excellence, builds a better Sophos, so we encourage applicants who can contribute to the diversity of our team.  All applicants will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, sex, gender reassignment, marital status, race, religion or belief, color, age, military veteran status, disability, pregnancy, maternity or sexual orientation.  We want to give you every opportunity to show us your best self, so if there are any adjustments we could make to the recruitment and selection process to support you, please let us know. 

    Data Protection
    If you choose to explore an opportunity, and subsequently share your CV or other personal details with Sophos, these details will be held by Sophos for 12 months in accordance with our Privacy Policy and used by our recruitment team to contact you regarding this or other relevant opportunities at Sophos.  If you would like Sophos to delete or update your details at any time, please follow the steps set out in the Privacy Policy describing your individual rights.  For more information on Sophos’ data protection practices, please consult our Privacy Policy Cybersecurity as a Service Delivered | Sophos

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    Marcus Rivera

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