Data Protection Engineer

Leidos has an immediate need for a highly skilled and versatile Data Protection Engineer to join the Network Execution Team supporting a critical Zero Trust initiative at U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). This role is essential for the tactical implementation of data-centric security controls across the Command's hybrid environment, ranging from commercial cloud capabilities on NIPR to the rigid, disconnected constraints of the SIPR and Top-Secret networks. As a Data Protection Engineer, you will be the primary "hands-on-keyboard" implementer responsible for configuring, deploying, and tuning the encryption and labeling technologies that protect the Command's most sensitive data. You will translate the high-level architecture defined by the Chief Architect into concrete, enforceable policies within Microsoft Purview (for NIPR) and enterprise DRM platforms like Virtru or Kiteworks (for SIPR/Top Secret). You will move the Command from a passive "audit" posture to an active "block" posture, ensuring that data is encrypted and persistent protection travels with the file, regardless of where it is stored or transferred. Responsibilities Microsoft Purview Implementation (NIPR): Configure and deploy Sensitivity Labels, Auto-labeling policies, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) rules within the Microsoft 365 E5 suite to classify and protect CUI and PII in SharePoint, OneDrive, and Exchange. DRM & Encryption Configuration (SIPR/Top Secret): Implement and manage enterprise Digital Rights Management (DRM) solutions (specifically Virtru or Kiteworks) to enforce encryption-at-rest and attribute-based access control on classified networks. Policy Tuning & Enforcement: Oversee the phased transition of security policies from "Monitoring" mode to "Blocking" mode, analyzing false positives and tuning classifiers (Regex, Keyword Dictionaries, Trainable Classifiers) to minimize mission disruption. Endpoint Protection: Collaborate with the Trellix engineering team to ensure that data tags applied by Purview/DRM tools are correctly recognized and enforced by endpoint DLP agents on workstations. Cross-Domain Support: Assist in the manual "sneaker-net" transfer of policy updates and classification patterns to the air-gapped Top Secret environment, ensuring configuration consistency across all networks Qualifications Security Clearance: Active Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (TS/SCI). Education: Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field. Required Experience & Skills: Microsoft Purview Expertise: Significant (3+ years) hands-on experience configuring Microsoft Information Protection (MIP), Sensitivity Labels, and DLP policies in a large enterprise or DoD environment. DRM/Encryption Experience: Proven experience implementing and managing enterprise encryption and Rights Management tools such as Virtru, Kiteworks, or Seclore, particularly in on-premise or hybrid configurations. Data Classification: Strong understanding of data classification methodologies, including the creation of custom sensitive info types (SITs) using Regex and Exact Data Match (EDM). Technical Troubleshooting: Ability to diagnose and resolve complex issues related to encryption key management, policy propagation, and agent conflicts. Certification Required: CompTIA Security+ CE (or higher) to meet DoD 8570 IAT Level II requirements. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with Trellix DLP (formerly McAfee) endpoint products. Knowledge of NetApp BlueXP or BigID for data discovery. Prior experience supporting USSOCOM or working on SIPRNet/JWICS systems. Familiarity with DoD Data Strategy and CUI handling requirements. Preferred Certifications: Microsoft Information Protection Administrator (SC-400). Virtru Certified Professional or Kiteworks Administrator Certification. If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: March 12, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.