Howard Industries is hiring: Cyber Security Engineer in Jackson

*The position requires working on-site in Laurel, MS.

About Howard:

Howard Industries is the nation’s leading manufacturer of distribution transformers. As Mississippi's largest privately held employer headquartered within the state, the company employs over 4,000 team members, generates over $1 billion in revenue, and consists of 4 main corporate divisions: Howard Power Solutions, Howard Lighting, Howard Transportation, and Howard Technology Solutions.

Job Overview:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Cyber Security Engineer to join our growing IT security team. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in protecting our digital infrastructure, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems. As a Cyber Security Engineer, you will be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and managing security measures to safeguard our organization from cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Network Security: Design, implement, and maintain security measures for protecting network infrastructures including firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS).
• Vulnerability Management: Conduct regular vulnerability assessments, analyze results, and manage remediation efforts. Work with stakeholders to resolve identified security issues.
• Incident Response: Lead and coordinate responses to security incidents, ensuring quick recovery and minimal impact. Perform root cause analysis and recommend long-term fixes to prevent recurrence.
• Security Audits & Compliance: Perform regular security audits, assessments, and compliance checks. Ensure adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, HIPAA).
• Risk Assessment: Perform risk analysis and identify potential security threats, evaluating risks and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Security Tools & Technology: Utilize and manage a range of security tools such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), anti-virus software, encryption technologies, and endpoint protection solutions.
• Policy Development & Training: Develop and enforce security policies and procedures. Provide security awareness training to employees and ensure adherence to security best practices.
• Collaboration: Work closely with IT teams, developers, and other departments to ensure secure software development practices, secure system configurations, and consistent application of security controls.
• Research & Development: Stay up-to-date with the latest cyber threats, security technologies, and trends. Proactively recommend improvements to security architecture and processes.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, CISM, CEH, CompTIA Security+) are highly preferred.

Experience:

• 5+ years of professional experience in Cyber Security or IT Security roles
• Hands-on experience with firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and other security technologies.
• Proven experience with vulnerability management, penetration testing, and incident response.
• Experience with regulatory and compliance frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, etc.

Technical Skills:

• Knowledge of network protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS, DNS, etc.) and network architecture.
• Proficiency in security tools like SIEM (Splunk, ArcSight, etc.), antivirus/antimalware software, and encryption methods.
• Experience with cloud security platforms (AWS, Azure, etc.).
• Familiarity with scripting languages (Python, PowerShell, etc.) for automation tasks is a plus.

Soft Skills:

• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex security concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining security standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with advanced persistent threats (APT) and malware analysis.
• Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and securing CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience in leading or managing security operations teams.
• Knowledge of data privacy laws and regulations.