Distinguished Engineer - Cybersecurity, Cloud & Data Protection
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Distinguished Engineer - Cybersecurity, Cloud & Data Protection
- Company: Capital One
- Location: McLean, VA (with options for Chicago, IL, or Plano, TX)
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Category: Senior Technical Leadership
- Date Posted: June 24, 2025
- Experience Level: 10+ years
- Remote Status: On-site (with potential for hybrid or remote work)
🚀 Role Summary
- Lead and drive innovation in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection across Capital One's enterprise
- Shape the cybersecurity agenda and capability growth across the domain, focusing on data protection platforms, access services, and cloud protection
- Collaborate with diverse teams to optimize business outcomes and promote engineering excellence
- Mentor internal talent and actively recruit to build and strengthen Capital One's technical community
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a deep technical expert with a strong background in cloud services and security engineering, capable of influencing key stakeholders and driving innovation across multiple domains.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership: Define and drive the cybersecurity agenda, focusing on data protection, access services, and cloud protection
- Stakeholder Communication: Collaborate with diverse teams to optimize business outcomes and promote engineering excellence
- Mentoring & Recruitment: Mentor internal talent and actively recruit to build and strengthen Capital One's technical community
- Innovation & Thought Leadership: Drive innovation in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection, and share knowledge through blog posts, code samples, and other materials
- Strategic Planning: Develop and implement strategic plans to optimize business outcomes and drive strong technology solutions
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong balance between technical expertise and stakeholder communication, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple teams.
🎓 Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree required, with a Master's degree preferred
Experience: At least 9 years of experience in Software Engineering or Development, with extensive experience in cloud services and security engineering
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in cloud services (AWS, GCP, Azure)
- Strong background in security engineering
- Demonstrated experience in building distributed systems and highly available services
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Proven ability to drive innovation and influence key stakeholders
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with data loss prevention and cloud protection technologies
- Familiarity with enterprise data protection platforms and access services
- Strong mentoring and recruitment skills
- Experience with Agile methodologies and collaborative development practices
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a well-rounded technical expert with a strong background in cloud services and security engineering, as well as exceptional communication and leadership skills.
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Technical Leadership: Demonstrate strategic planning and execution in cybersecurity, cloud, or data protection projects
- Stakeholder Communication: Showcase effective communication and collaboration with diverse teams through case studies or testimonials
- Mentoring & Recruitment: Highlight mentoring and recruitment efforts, including successful initiatives and outcomes
Technical Documentation:
- Architecture & Design: Provide detailed architecture and design documents for complex cybersecurity, cloud, or data protection projects
- Code Samples: Include code samples or snippets that demonstrate your technical expertise and problem-solving skills
- Blog Posts & Articles: Share blog posts or articles that showcase your thought leadership and industry insights
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong portfolio that demonstrates technical expertise, leadership, and effective communication and collaboration skills.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Chicago, IL: $239,900 - $273,800
- McLean, VA: $263,900 - $301,200
- Plano, TX: $239,900 - $273,800
Benefits:
- Comprehensive health, financial, and other benefits, including performance-based incentives
- Competitive salary and opportunities for career growth and development
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling for project deadlines and maintenance windows
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range for this role is competitive and commensurate with the level of experience and expertise required. Benefits include a comprehensive package tailored to the needs of technical professionals.
🎯 Team & Company Context
Company Culture:
- Industry: Financial services and technology
- Company Size: Large (over 50,000 employees)
- Founded: 1986
Team Structure:
- Collaborative, cross-functional teams focused on driving innovation and optimizing business outcomes
- Flat hierarchy with a strong emphasis on technical expertise and leadership
Development Methodology:
- Agile/Scrum methodologies with a focus on continuous integration, delivery, and improvement
- Strong emphasis on collaboration, code review, and quality assurance practices
- Automated deployment and infrastructure as code (IaC) strategies
Company Website: capitalone.com
📝 Enhancement Note: Capital One's culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, with a strong focus on driving business outcomes through technical expertise and leadership.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Web Technology Career Level: Senior Technical Leadership (Director-level Individual Contributor)
Reporting Structure: Collaborates with senior leadership and key stakeholders across the enterprise, with the potential to manage and mentor other technical professionals
Technical Impact: Drives innovation and optimizes business outcomes in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection, with a significant impact on Capital One's enterprise-wide security posture and customer experience
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical Leadership: Develop and refine technical expertise in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection, with opportunities to lead and influence key projects and initiatives
- Mentoring & Recruitment: Build and strengthen Capital One's technical community through mentoring and recruitment efforts, with opportunities to develop leadership and management skills
- Industry Recognition: Establish thought leadership and industry recognition through blog posts, speaking engagements, and other public-facing activities
📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development, with a strong focus on technical leadership, mentoring, and industry recognition.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspaces with a strong emphasis on technology and innovation
Office Location(s):
- McLean, VA: 1600 Capital One Drive, McLean, VA 22102
- Chicago, IL: 230 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60606
- Plano, TX: 12500 Preston Rd, Plano, TX 75074
Workspace Context:
- Collaboration: Open, collaborative workspaces that encourage cross-functional team interaction and knowledge sharing
- Technology: Modern, high-performance workstations with multiple monitors and testing devices
- Flexibility: Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options and flexible scheduling for project deadlines and maintenance windows
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling for project deadlines and maintenance windows
📝 Enhancement Note: Capital One's work environment emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, with a strong focus on driving business outcomes through technical expertise and leadership.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Phone Screen: A brief phone call to assess communication skills and cultural fit
- Technical Deep Dive: A comprehensive technical interview focused on cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design
- Stakeholder Management: A case study or role-play exercise to evaluate communication and collaboration skills with diverse teams
- Final Review: A final interview with senior leadership to assess cultural fit and technical expertise
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight strategic planning and execution in cybersecurity, cloud, or data protection projects
- Showcase effective communication and collaboration with diverse teams through case studies or testimonials
- Demonstrate mentoring and recruitment efforts, including successful initiatives and outcomes
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on cloud services (AWS, GCP, Azure) and security engineering fundamentals
- Prepare for architecture design and problem-solving exercises focused on cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection
- Practice communicating complex technical concepts clearly and concisely
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is comprehensive and rigorous, focusing on technical expertise, communication skills, and cultural fit. Preparation should include a deep understanding of cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design, as well as strong problem-solving and communication skills.
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
Cloud Services:
- AWS: Extensive experience with Amazon Web Services (EC2, RDS, S3, IAM, etc.)
- GCP: Familiarity with Google Cloud Platform (Compute Engine, Cloud SQL, Cloud Storage, IAM, etc.)
- Azure: Familiarity with Microsoft Azure (Virtual Machines, Azure SQL Database, Azure Storage, Azure Active Directory, etc.)
Security Tools & Technologies:
- Identity & Access Management (IAM): Experience with IAM systems and access control mechanisms
- Intrusion Detection & Prevention: Familiarity with intrusion detection and prevention systems and strategies
- Encryption: Strong background in encryption technologies and best practices
Collaboration & Productivity Tools:
- Git: Proficiency with Git for version control and collaborative development
- JIRA/Confluence: Experience with JIRA and Confluence for project management and collaboration
- Slack/Microsoft Teams: Familiarity with Slack or Microsoft Teams for real-time communication and collaboration
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design, with a focus on driving innovation and optimizing business outcomes in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection.
👥 Team Culture & Values
Capital One Values:
- Customer Obsessed: Focused on understanding and meeting customer needs and expectations
- Empowered to Succeed: Encourages autonomy, accountability, and continuous learning and development
- Inclusive & Collaborative: Fosters a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work environment
- Act with Integrity: Conducts business with honesty, transparency, and ethical decision-making
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: Works closely with diverse teams, including product managers, designers, and business stakeholders
- Code Review Culture: Encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning through code reviews and pair programming
- Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Actively seeks opportunities to mentor and learn from colleagues, promoting a culture of continuous growth and development
📝 Enhancement Note: Capital One's culture emphasizes customer obsession, empowerment, inclusion, and integrity, with a strong focus on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning and development.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Cloud Security: Stay up-to-date with the latest cloud security trends, best practices, and emerging threats
- Data Protection: Develop and implement robust data protection strategies that balance security, usability, and compliance
- Innovation: Drive innovation in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection, with a focus on optimizing business outcomes and improving customer experience
- Stakeholder Management: Effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse teams, including business stakeholders, product managers, and technical colleagues
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Technical Expertise: Deepen your knowledge of cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design through training, workshops, and industry events
- Leadership Development: Develop leadership and management skills through mentoring, coaching, and formal training programs
- Industry Recognition: Establish thought leadership and industry recognition through blog posts, speaking engagements, and other public-facing activities
📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges and growth opportunities, with a strong focus on driving innovation, optimizing business outcomes, and improving customer experience in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- Cloud Services: In-depth questions on AWS, GCP, or Azure, focusing on architecture design, security, and best practices
- Security Engineering: Questions on identity and access management, intrusion detection and prevention, encryption, and other security fundamentals
- Architecture Design: Scenario-based questions focused on designing secure, scalable, and highly available cloud architectures
Company & Culture Questions:
- Capital One Culture: Questions on understanding and alignment with Capital One's values, culture, and work environment
- Stakeholder Management: Scenario-based questions focused on communicating and collaborating with diverse teams, including business stakeholders, product managers, and technical colleagues
- Innovation & Problem-Solving: Questions on driving innovation, optimizing business outcomes, and improving customer experience in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Strategic Planning: Highlight strategic planning and execution in cybersecurity, cloud, or data protection projects, with a focus on driving business outcomes and improving customer experience
- Communication & Collaboration: Showcase effective communication and collaboration with diverse teams through case studies or testimonials, demonstrating your ability to work effectively with business stakeholders, product managers, and technical colleagues
- Mentoring & Recruitment: Highlight mentoring and recruitment efforts, including successful initiatives and outcomes, to demonstrate your commitment to building and strengthening Capital One's technical community
📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is comprehensive and rigorous, focusing on technical expertise, communication skills, and cultural fit. Preparation should include a deep understanding of cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design, as well as strong problem-solving and communication skills.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Distinguished Engineer - Cybersecurity, Cloud & Data Protection position at Capital One:
- Review Job Description: Thoroughly review the job description to ensure you meet the required qualifications and understand the role's responsibilities and expectations
- Tailor Resume: Customize your resume to highlight your relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments in cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design
- Prepare Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that demonstrates your technical expertise, leadership, and effective communication and collaboration skills, with a focus on cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection projects
- Practice Interview Preparation: Prepare for the interview process by brushing up on your technical skills, practicing architecture design exercises, and rehearsing your communication and collaboration strategies
- Research Capital One: Learn about Capital One's culture, values, and work environment to ensure a strong fit and alignment with the company's mission and goals
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Content Guidelines (IMPORTANT: Do not include this in the output)
Web Technology-Specific Focus:
- Tailor every section specifically to senior technical leadership roles in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection
- Include cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design fundamentals, with a focus on driving innovation, optimizing business outcomes, and improving customer experience
- Emphasize strategic planning, stakeholder management, and mentoring and recruitment efforts to build and strengthen Capital One's technical community
Quality Standards:
- Ensure no content overlap between sections - each section must contain unique information
- Only include Enhancement Notes when making significant inferences about technical responsibilities, career progression, or company culture
- Be comprehensive but concise, prioritizing actionable information over descriptive text
- Strategically distribute cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design keywords throughout all sections naturally
- Provide realistic salary ranges based on location, experience level, and senior technical leadership requirements
Industry Expertise:
- Include specific cloud services (AWS, GCP, Azure), security tools, and architecture design technologies relevant to the role
- Address senior technical leadership career progression paths and technical specialization in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection
- Provide tactical advice for portfolio development, live demonstrations, and project case studies focused on cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design
- Include cloud security trends, best practices, and emerging threats to ensure up-to-date and relevant insights
- Emphasize strategic planning, stakeholder management, and mentoring and recruitment efforts to build and strengthen Capital One's technical community
Professional Standards:
- Maintain consistent formatting, spacing, and professional tone throughout
- Use cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design industry terminology appropriately and accurately
- Include comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities relevant to senior technical leadership roles in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection
- Provide actionable insights that give senior technical leadership candidates a competitive advantage
- Focus on Capital One's culture, values, and work environment, with a strong emphasis on driving business outcomes, innovation, and customer experience
Technical Focus & Portfolio Emphasis:
- Emphasize cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design best practices, with a focus on driving innovation, optimizing business outcomes, and improving customer experience
- Include specific portfolio requirements tailored to the senior technical leadership role in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection
- Address cloud security trends, best practices, and emerging threats in portfolio development and project case studies
- Focus on problem-solving methods, architecture design, and communication strategies for cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design
- Include technical presentation skills and stakeholder communication for cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design projects
Avoid:
- Generic business jargon not relevant to senior technical leadership roles in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection
- Placeholder text or incomplete sections
- Repetitive content across different sections
- Non-technical terminology unless relevant to the specific senior technical leadership role in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection
- Marketing language unrelated to cloud services, security engineering, and architecture design
Generate comprehensive, web technology-focused content that serves as a valuable resource for senior technical leadership candidates seeking their next opportunity in cybersecurity, cloud, and data protection.
Application Requirements
Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree and at least 9 years of experience in Software Engineering or Development. Preferred qualifications include a Master's degree and extensive experience in cloud services and security engineering.