Principal AI Threat Detection Engineer – Insider Threat

Blackbaud

Principal AI Threat Detection Engineer leading Insider Threat program at Blackbaud. Maturing detection capabilities using AI tools in a security setting.

Posted 7/30/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $117,200 - $157,500 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in Security Engineering and Analysis, particularly in Threat Detection and Response, with a strong focus on Insider Threat programs. Proficient in administering and optimizing Insider Threat detection tools, UEBA platforms, and AI/ML models, while effectively integrating automation and evaluating AI-generated findings.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Insider Threat Detection Tools AdministrationUser and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA)AI/ML Model EvaluationSOAR Tools and Playbook DevelopmentSecurity Metrics and Reporting

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Security EngineeringIntrusion AnalysisLog AnalysisScripting (PowerShell, PERL, Python, Bash)Linux/Unix OS KnowledgeWindows KnowledgeFirewall Rule and Policy ManagementNetwork Routing FundamentalsAI-Driven AutomationData Visualization

Soft Skills

Critical ThinkingCommunicationJudgmentCollaborationDiscretion

Tools & Technologies

SIEM TechnologyAI/ML PlatformsAutomation ToolsAPIs IntegrationDetection Engineering Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

Security+CBROPSCSACEHGSECSSCP

Industry Keywords

NIST Cyber Security FrameworkMITRE ATT&CKAI Governance FrameworksNIST AI RMFMITRE ATLAS

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudCyber SecurityLinuxPerlPythonUnix

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the maturation of Blackbaud’s Insider Threat detection program toward an AI-augmented capability, including administration, tuning, and optimization of Insider Threat tools, UEBA platforms, and the AI/ML models underneath them
Perform intrusion and insider risk analysis using SIEM technology, UEBA behavioral analytics, AI-generated insights, reports, data visualization, log analysis, and pattern analysis, applying human judgment to validate AI findings and separate true signal from noise
Direct AI-driven hunting tools and agents to identify threat actor groups (external and insider) and their respective tactics, techniques, and procedures, personally leading the investigation of cases that require nuanced human judgment
Serve as the human escalation point and first responder for security events that AI and automated tooling flag but cannot fully resolve, via email, phone, and tickets across corporate user networks, data centers, and cloud environments
Own remediation of information security incidents, including insider threat investigations, ensuring AI-assisted findings are verified and contextualized before action is taken
Document and communicate findings, escalate critical incidents, and interact with lines of business, HR, Legal, and other stakeholders on sensitive insider matters, exercising the discretion and judgment that AI systems cannot provide
Design and build AI-driven and SOAR-based automated workflows within Detection Engineering, defining the guardrails, escalation thresholds, and human checkpoints that keep automation safe, effective, and improve analyst performance
Champion responsible use of AI-driven analysis and automation to enhance detection accuracy and accelerate triage, while evaluating model accuracy, bias, and drift to keep detection logic explainable and trustworthy
Document automation and AI model deployment processes, to include defining pre-build requirements, validation criteria, and human review checkpoints for high-risk decisions
Utilize AI and automation to build metrics and dashboards supporting the Insider Threat and broader detection program, applying human interpretation to translate outputs into decisions leadership can act on
Serve as a thought leader on the evolving division of labor between AI and human analysts – determining which decisions should be automated, which require human review, and how that boundary should shift as the program matures – as well as on new alert content, data correlation, and anomaly thresholds
Improve and challenge existing processes and procedures in a very agile and fast-paced cyber security environment
Keep current on the threat landscape, insider risk trends, cyber security developments, and emerging AI/ML techniques relevant to detection engineering
Adapt to fluid infrastructures, and evaluate, pilot, and integrate new AI-enabled technologies and platforms
Act as peer reviewer and technical escalation point within the core security engineering team, including reviewing AI-assisted detection logic and automation before deployment
Advise and inform leadership on how to optimize the current toolset and evaluate future tools, including UEBA, SOAR, and AI-enabled analysis platforms, recommending where automation should expand and where human oversight must remain

Requirements

What you’ll need

8+ years of Security Engineering and Analysis experience, preferably in Threat Detection and Response, including demonstrated experience supporting Insider Threat programs
5+ years of IT or networking experience
Hands-on experience administering, tuning, and optimizing Insider Threat detection tools, User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) platforms, and the AI/ML models that power them
Experience with SOAR tools and playbook development, including explicit expertise applying AI-driven and agentic automation to security operations and critically evaluating AI-generated findings for accuracy
Experience with security metrics and reporting, preferably including automating recurring metrics and reporting processes
Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate AI/ML model outputs
Intermediate to Advanced Linux/Unix OS and Windows knowledge
Firewall rule and policy, and network routing fundamentals
Ability to manage parallel tasks and accurately document resolutions
Proven ability to implement automation through scripting (e.g., PowerShell, PERL, Python, Bash scripting), including integrating AI/ML APIs or agentic frameworks into detection workflows
Experience leveraging APIs to integrate third-party tooling into an existing tool stack
Familiarity with cyber security frameworks such as NIST and MITRE ATT&CK, and awareness of emerging AI governance and security frameworks (e.g., NIST AI RMF, MITRE ATLAS)
Industry-recognized professional certification such as Security+, CBROPS, CSA, CEH, GSEC, SSCP

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Remote-flexible workforce
Wellness Programs
401(k) program with employer match
Flexible paid time off
Generous Parental Leave
Donations for Doers
Pet insurance, legal and identity protection
Tuition reimbursement program