Data Protection Engineer

Dragonfli Group is a cybersecurity and IT consulting firm providing services to federal agencies and Fortune 100 enterprises. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Dragonfli supports clients in securing mission-critical systems across on-site, hybrid, and fully remote environments. We are seeking a Cybersecurity Data Protection Engineer to support a large federal agency in strengthening its data security posture. This is a contract-based role that will focus on implementing, maintaining, and enhancing data protection controls across cloud, desktop, email, and enterprise systems. The specialist will play a key role in protecting against unauthorized access, modification, or destruction of sensitive information. The role involves both independent and collaborative work, contributing to moderately complex projects and advising on best practices for safeguarding data at rest and in motion. The position requires flexibility, hands-on troubleshooting, and an openness to adopting emerging security technologies from diverse vendors. This is a remote role; however, there is a preference for candidates based in Morrisville, NC; Falls Church, VA; or Eagan, MN. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and must be able to demonstrate technical proficiency independently and without the use of AI tools (i.e., inputting interview questions into an LLM and then answering those questions by reading the LLM generated output). Responsibilities: • Protect organizational data from unauthorized access, modification, or destruction. • Develop and enforce IT security policies, standards, and procedures. • Administer and support encryption technologies (Cloud, Desktop, Email, File Share). • Provide guidance, recommendations, and best practices for data security. • Manage and configure digital certificates and certificate authorities. • Assist with upgrades, installations, testing, and configuration of data security components. • Serve as a single point of escalation and remediation for critical data security issues. • Script and automate tasks using APIs to integrate systems and streamline data exchange. • Respond rapidly to unplanned incidents, including after-hours support when required. • Proactively communicate alerts, technical updates, and vendor advisories. • Collaborate with IT professionals and end users to design approved security solutions. • Support integration with SIEM platforms; assist with knowledge objects and monitoring. • Apply working knowledge of OS platforms, network protocols, and security architecture. • Leverage Postgres SQL for queries, integration, and troubleshooting. Qualifications: • Minimum 3 years of related IT or cybersecurity experience, with a focus on data protection. • Experience administering and supporting data encryption tools across multiple platforms. • Hands-on experience with scripting and APIs for automation and system integration. • Familiarity with SIEM integration and monitoring best practices. • Working knowledge of operating systems, network protocols, and security frameworks. • Understanding of cloud service architectures and data protection at rest/in motion. • Working knowledge of Postgres SQL. Skills: • Experience administering and supporting data encryption tools, to include Cloud, Desktop, Email, & File Share Encryption technologies. • Strong understanding of artificial intelligence concepts and technologies. • Provides data security guidance, recommendations, and best practices. • Proficient in understanding the role of digital certificates and certificate authorities in ensuring secure communication over networks. • Assist with data security component upgrades, installs, testing, and configuration. • Provide a single point of contact and hands-on escalation and remediation for critical issues. • Experienced in scripting with APIs to automate processes, integrate systems, and streamline data exchange between applications. • Respond rapidly to unplanned events, including after-hours support when needed. • Proactively communicate relevant technical information and alerts on known issues, hotfixes, new releases, etc. • Working knowledge of operating system platforms, network protocols, and security architecture. • Working knowledge of Postgres SQL. • Experience integrating solutions with SIEM and developing knowledge objects and monitoring a plus.