Distinguished Threat Hunter

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The Verizon Cybersecurity organization securely enables the enterprise by protecting assets, data, and critical infrastructure across Verizon networks and global operational environments. Verizon Cybersecurity integrates advanced threat intelligence, governance, cutting-edge security technologies, and proactive threat hunting operations to embed resilience into all technology systems and services.

As a Distinguished Threat Hunter and operational lead, you will play a pivotal role in defending Verizon against advanced, persistent, and emerging cyber threats. In this high-impact role, you will architect and execute sophisticated threat hunting strategies, identify anomalous behavior, and leverage deep data analytics to strengthen defense controls. Beyond hands-on technical hunting, you will serve as a technical lead - mentoring and directing both senior threat hunters, junior staff, advising leadership, establishing operational methodologies and briefing executive leadership on threat landscapes and high-priority investigations. 

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader with a strong track record of cross-functional engagement and a commitment to driving team success. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and execute complex, high-priority hunt missions using threat intelligence, multi-source telemetry, and adversary behavior analysis to surface unknown threats, insider risks, and advanced persistent threats (APTs).
• Analyze threat actor Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) aligned to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, translating findings into proactive defense strategies and novel detection logic.
• Provide expert technical direction and investigative leadership during major cyber security incidents and high-risk investigations.
• Direct the mentorship and professional development of team members, offering technical guidance to both junior analysts and experienced threat hunters.
• Synthesize investigative findings and threat telemetry into high-level strategic summaries and operational metrics for executive leadership and key stakeholders.
• Continuously mature hunting methodologies, detection capabilities, and automated workflows across SIEM, EDR, and data lake platforms.
• Partner closely with Threat Intelligence, Incident Response, SOC, and Security Engineering teams to bridge gaps between threat detection, response, and remediation.
• Develop custom detection rules across multiple technologies (including YARA, SIGMA, KQL, and AQL) and network/host-based Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) and Indicators of Attack (IOAs).
• Maintain operational readiness to respond to urgent security events or critical incidents off-hours, as business needs dictate.

You’ll need to have:

• Bachelor’s degree or eight or more years of relevant work experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of job-related work experience, military experience, or specialized training or education (non-collegiate).
• Six or more years of specialized experience in threat hunting, incident response, or advanced threat analytics.
• Experience investigating network protocol anomalies and analyzing telemetry from network edge appliances (e.g., firewalls, VPNs, routers, and proxies).
• Proven experience mentoring, leading, or directing technical security staff and managing hunt engagements.
• Advanced proficiency with SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk), query languages (KQL, AQL), Regular Expressions, and scripting/automation (Python, PowerShell, Bash, or Go).

 Even better if you have one or more of the following:

• Demonstrated success leading operations within a high-tempo Security Operations environment (SOC, IR, Threat Intel, Malware Analysis, or Threat Hunting).
• Experience supporting cyber defense in telecommunications, critical infrastructure, or large enterprise networks.
• Deep technical knowledge of operating system internals, forensics, and data structures across Windows, Linux/Unix, and macOS platforms.
• Deep technical knowledge of network architecture, packet analysis, and adversary tactics targeting network infrastructure.
• Exceptional executive presentation and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex threat dynamics to non-technical executive leadership.
• Advanced industry certifications (e.g., CISSP, GCIH, GCFA, GCFE, GREM, OSCP, or equivalent).

If this role sounds like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every “even better” qualification listed above.

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we’ve got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.