Lead Cybersecurity WAF Engineer
Company: Cox Automotive
Location: Redan
Posted on: February 9, 2026
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Job Description:
The Lead Cybersecurity Web Application Firewall (WAF) Engineer
is the enterprise's foremost expert and strategic owner of WAF and
application-edge security. This role sets the vision, strategy, and
standards that govern how public-facing applications are protected
across Cox Automotive. The Lead Engineer drives the architecture of
WAF implementations, leads complex threat response efforts,
advances automation and logging capabilities, and partners with
cross-functional engineering, cybersecurity, and business teams to
ensure resilient, scalable, and modern WAF protections. Main
responsibilities are tuning and improving security policies,
implementing the WAF for new public websites based on established
architecture patterns, and participating in security events to use
the WAF as a protective and defensive measure against threat
actors. This role will use their technical knowledge in
implementing and using a web application firewall as a protective
and defensive cybersecurity control. They will use their experience
with networking concepts such as DNS, HTTP/S, and edge services to
route website traffic, understand how web applications and mobile
applications are designed to use client-server communication, and
must be able to partner with cross-functional teams throughout the
organization. This role will report directly to the Senior Manager
of Application Security at Cox Automotive. What You'll Do: Own and
champion the enterprise WAF, shaping its strategy, patterns, and
standards in partnership with the architecture team. We're looking
for someone who lives and breathes WAF and can elevate security for
all public-facing sites and APIs. Analyze WAF rules to identify
improvements and explain recommended changes to improve the
protections the WAF provides. Collaborating with security
architecture on long-term WAF strategy, including technology
standards, architectural patterns, and security roadmaps. Author
and maintain runbooks, playbooks, and threat specific WAF tuning
strategies. Lead the creation and continuous improvement of
runbooks, playbooks, and automated detection/triggers. Perform
cyber engineering trend analysis and reporting, defining and
recommending tool, infrastructure and other improvements. Proposes
and helps review plans and policies to improve the overall security
environment. Participate in security events and incident response
(e.g., botnet traffic spikes, Layer 7 attacks) to identify gaps in
current design and propose solutions to prevent threats from
reoccurring. Research and evaluate emerging security trends,
threats, and technologies, and recommend appropriate solutions and
enhancements. Partnering closely with AppSec, Cyber Defense, and
Engineering teams for secure-by-default adoption. Who Are You:
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a related discipline
and 6 years' experience in a related field. The right candidate
could also have a different combination, such as a master's degree
and 4 years' experience; a Ph.D. and 1 year of experience; or 18
years' experience in a related field At least 4 years focused on
cybersecurity with at least 2 years managing enterprise WAF.
Demonstrated expert level experience architecting, implementing,
and operating enterprise WAF solutions across multiple
environments. Must have deep knowledge of how network traffic
routes between clients and servers across the internet (e.g., DNS,
HTTP/S, CDN/edge routing). Clearly articulate the objective of
specific cybersecurity policies and procedures to technical and
non-technical stakeholders. Proven experience leading technical
initiatives and mentoring engineering teams. Excellent customer
service skills, writing, and presentation skills. Develop a strong
and productive working environment with key stakeholders and
collaborate closely with other Cox entities' cybersecurity teams to
implement cybersecurity best practices. Consultative nature to work
through controversial or complex topics to employees, leaders,
and/or senior leadership. Proficient in Python and Terraform.
Creatively solving complex cybersecurity challenges while
exhibiting solid, pragmatic business acumen. Experience utilizing
Agile methodologies and DevSecOps. Initiating change and deploying
solutions in Fortune 1000 companies. Knowledge of cybersecurity
frameworks (e.g., ISO 27000, NIST, FFIEC) and industry relevant
regulations that will guide architectural requirements (e.g., GDPR,
FFIEC, GLBA). Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of current
cybersecurity and technology architectures such as zero trust,
IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, virtualization, and containerization. A strong
understanding of cloud containers and/or serverless platforms
(e.g., EKS, ECS, Lambda, Fargate). Experience with security testing
tools such as Fortify, BurpSuite, and Wiz. Extensive technology
knowledge and recognized expertise in several areas including .NET
framework, Mono, Spring frameworks, Oracle, serverless, cloud
patterns, cloud service and user authentication or similar.
Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and
services and on-premises infrastructure. Experience in the
development and design of cybersecurity standard methodologies to
all layers of the hosting and application stack in both cloud and
on-premises environments. Knowledge of Identity and Access
Management (IAM), cryptography / key management, secrets
management, access controls and security protocols (e.g.,
multi-factor, SAML, OAuth, OIDC). Experience with firewall, web
application firewalls, and other edge services as well as deep
understanding of DMZ and other network architectures. AWS
Well-Architected Framework. Experience in national critical
infrastructure industries (telecommunications, financial services,
defense, government, etc.). Big four consulting or Fortune 500
company experience. Relevant industry certification (e.g., CISSP,
CEH, OSCP, Azure, AWS, CISM, CISA). USD 122,600.00 - 204,400.00 per
year Compensation: Compensation includes a base salary of
$122,600.00 - $204,400.00. The base salary may vary within the
anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate
location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge,
skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional
compensation that may include an incentive program. Benefits: The
Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much
vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the
company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays
throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness
annually for their own wellness or that of family members.
Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the
form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave,
volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Keywords: Cox Automotive, Marietta , Lead Cybersecurity WAF Engineer, IT / Software / Systems , Redan, Georgia
