Correlation Engineer

Peraton

Herndon, Virginia

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$112,000–$179,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Campaigns, Cloud Computing, Computer Science, Computer Security, Content Development, Continuous Improvement, Customer Escalations, Cyberspace, Data Quality, Data Science, Documentation, Engineering, Hunting, Information Technology & Information Systems, Information Technology Software, Internet Security, Metrics, Microsoft Product Family, Multiplatform/Cross-Platform, Performance Tuning/Optimization, Process Improvement, Quality Assurance, Quality Management, Query Analysis, Reporting Dashboards, SUMO, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), Software Engineering, Source Code/Configuration Management (SCM), Splunk, Stress Testing, Team Player, Telemetry, Testing, Top Secret Clearance, Training/Teaching, Trend Analysis, United States Department of Defense (DoD), Use Cases, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Herndon, Virginia
POSTED
30+ days ago
Responsibilities:

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Correlation Engineer to join our team in the greater DMV area, supporting the Army National Guard.

 

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and refine correlation logic and detection content for SIEM and analytics platforms to link events, logs, and telemetry into actionable security narratives.
  • Analyze threat trends, historical incidents, and attack patterns to create correlation scenarios that reveal multi‑stage campaigns, lateral movement, insider activity, and stealthy behaviors.
  • Test, tune, and validate correlation rules to balance detection coverage against analyst workload; document rule behavior, performance characteristics, and operational runbooks.
  • Collaborate with SOC analysts, threat hunters, data engineers, and tool owners to improve data quality, field mappings, normalization, and telemetry enrichment for robust correlation.
  • Implement automated enrichment, suppression, and tuning strategies to reduce false positives and optimize alert fidelity.
  • Maintain correlation content lifecycle: version control, peer review, QA testing, deployment, and rollback procedures.
  • Develop metrics and dashboards to measure correlation efficacy (precision, recall, MTTD) and drive continuous improvement.
  • Lead post‑incident correlation analysis to derive new detection use cases and inform detection engineering priorities.
  • Provide training and documentation to SOC staff on new correlation logic, investigative workflows, and case escalation procedures.

#ENOCS

Qualifications:

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 8 years with BS/BA; Minimum of 6 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 3 years with PhD
  • Clearance: Active TS/SCI clearance.

  • Candidate must meet ONE of the following:

    • Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field; OR
    • Relevant DoD/military training (example: 4C‑255N (CP)); OR
    • Relevant professional certification or equivalent experience (examples: CISSP‑ISSAP, CISSP‑ISSEP, GCIA, GICSP).
  • Required experience and skills:

    • Cybersecurity analytics, detection engineering, or SOC content development experience with at least 3 years focused on correlation rule development for enterprise SIEMs.
    • Deep understanding of log formats, telemetry sources (network, endpoint, cloud, identity), normalization/mapping, and analytic pipelines.
    • Proven ability to author complex correlation logic, detection rules, and analytic queries (KQL, SPL, Sigma, or vendor‑specific languages).
    • Experience with testing frameworks, rule performance tuning, false‑positive mitigation, and operationalizing detections into SOC playbooks.
    • Strong collaboration skills with data engineering and platform teams to ensure ingestion quality and scalable analytics.
    • Capability to produce decision‑grade documentation, runbooks, and measurable detection KPIs.
  • Desired:

    • Prior DoD/enterprise SOC detection engineering experience and familiarity with MITRE ATT&CK mapping for correlation use cases.
    • Experience with multiple SIEM platforms and analytics toolchains (Splunk, Elastic, QRadar, Sumo Logic, Microsoft Sentinel).
    • Background in threat hunting, adversary emulation, or purple‑team activities to validate and stress‑test correlation content.

#ENOCS

Peraton Overview:

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range: $112,000 - $179,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. EEO: EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.

About the Company

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Peraton

Peraton drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted and highly differentiated national security solutions and technologies that keep people safe and secure. Peraton serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies across the intelligence, space, cyber, defense, civilian, health, and state and local markets. Every day, our employees do the can’t be done, solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers.
COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
Government and Military
WEBSITE
https://careers.peraton.com/