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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Cyber Defense Principal Engineer - **Company:** Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - **Location:** Cambridge, MA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $199,800.0 - $270,300.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Software as a Service, Cloud Computing Security, Computer Programming, Decision Support Systems, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Python (Programming Language), Security Information and Event Management, Systems Integration, Software Vulnerability Management, Mitre Att&ck, Cybercrime, Data Management, Cyber Warfare, Data Pipelines, Security Orchestration, Automation & Response - **Published:** August 21, 2026 - **Apply:** https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/apply/add/87525998/1 ## About the Role * 10+ years of experience across core cyber defense disciplines (e.g., security engineering, detection engineering, threat hunting, incident response, vulnerability management, offensive security) * Strong programming and automation skills (e.g., Python, Go), with experience building custom security tooling, integrations, and detections * Proven experience leading large-scale SIEM migrations or enterprise security platform transformations * Deep expertise across modern security technologies (e.g., SIEM, SOAR, EDR/XDR, threat intelligence platforms, cloud security, and security data platforms) * Hands-on experience applying AI/ML and automation to improve threat detection, investigation workflows, and incident response * Advanced detection engineering capabilities, including behavioral analytics, threat hunting, and frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK * Experience designing or supporting insider threat and advanced monitoring programs * Strong knowledge of vulnerability management, exposure reduction, and risk-based prioritization * Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to partner across engineering, infrastructure, legal, compliance, and business leadership teams * Experience operating in complex, global enterprise environments #LI-MH1 #LI-Hybrid ## Description Alnylam is pioneering RNAi therapeutics and scaling rapidly across research, development, and global commercialization. The Director, Cyber Defense Principal Engineer will play a critical role in designing and advancing our next-generation cyber defense capabilities, shaping how we detect, investigate, and respond to threats at scale. Reporting to the Senior Director, Cyber Defense, this senior individual contributor will define and execute the technical strategy to modernize and future-proof Alnylam's security platforms. This role will lead the evolution of cyber operations technology, build scalable solutions, and drive enterprise-wide initiatives that strengthen the security and resilience of our systems and data. This is ahybrid position, primarily based in Cambridge, MA and includes participation in an on-call rotation, with flexibility to support incident response outside standard business hours, as needed. Responsibilities * Define and execute the long-term strategy and technical roadmap for Alnylam's cyber defense capabilities. * Architect and scale core security platforms, including SIEM/SOAR, security data pipelines, automation frameworks, and detection infrastructure. * Lead enterprise detection engineering, delivering advanced analytics and risk-based alerting across cloud, endpoint, identity, network, and SaaS environments. * Build and integrate a unified cyber defense platform to enhance visibility, automation, and enterprise resilience. * Establish scalable security standards, architectures, and operating principles across Cyber Defense and enterprise teams. * Drive an engineering-first approach to detection and response, leveraging automation, AI-enabled workflows, and data-driven decision making. * Serve as a senior technical advisor to leadership on cyber defense strategy, complex incident response, and enterprise risk. ## Related Videos - [Fighting the Next Wave of Cybercrime](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100331-fighting-the-next-wave-of-cybercrime) - [Cyber Sleuth: Finding Hidden Connections in Cyber Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/893-cyber-sleuth-finding-hidden-connections-in-cyber-data) - [Deep Fakes: The Lies We Can’t See](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1187-deep-fakes-the-lies-we-can-t-see) - [The Developer Workstation Blind Spot: Why Your Security Stack Can't See What Matters Most](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100254-the-developer-workstation-blind-spot-why-your-security-stack-can-t-see-what-matters-most) - [The AI Security Survival Guide: Practical Advice for Stressed-Out Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1015-the-ai-security-survival-guide-practical-advice-for-stressed-out-developers) ## Related Articles - [Dev Digest 134 - Where pixels sing?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/477-dev-digest-134-where-pixels-sing) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [9 Ways to Make Money Hacking](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/333-9-ways-to-make-money-hacking) - [Dev Digest 137 - AI'm not sure about this](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/485-dev-digest-137-ai-m-not-sure-about-this)