As a Threat Detection COOP at COGNNA, you'll design high-impact detection strategies, build powerful automation, and elevate SOC operations to a world-class standard. You'll also mentor rising cyber talent and collaborate with teams across threat intel, incident response, and platform engineering.
???? Advanced Threat Detection Engineering
Build high-fidelity correlation rules and behavioral detections within the COGNNA security platforms Translate adversary TTPs (MITRE ATT&CK), threat intel, and vulnerability data into actionable logic Identify detection gaps and introduce new data sources to cover evolving threat landscapes Automate detection testing and maintain detection quality over time
⚙️ Platform Engineering & Optimization
Lead architecture and optimization of XDR, SIEM, and SOC tech stacks for scale and resilience Streamline log ingestion pipelines — from parsing to normalization and enrichment Build scripts and automations (Python, Power Shell) to enhance SOC efficiency Integrate tools across the SOC stack to enable seamless workflows and response.
????️♂️ Threat Hunting & Incident Response
Collaborate with intel and IR teams to enrich detection use cases and support threat hunts Provide Tier-3+ support for incident investigations and post-mortem analysis
???? Mentorship & SOC Maturity
Improve SOC playbooks, SOPs, and detection engineering workflows Stay updated on global and regional threats — and evolve detection accordingly Ensure compliance alignment (e.g., NCA ECC, SAMA CSF)
Requirements
Minimum Requirements (Must Haves):
Education: Currently enrolled in their final year of a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a closely related field, with graduation planned within or immediately following the 6-month co-op Foundational Security Knowledge: Basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts, including common attack vectors, the Windows/Linux operating system internals, and network protocols Programming/Scripting Basics: Familiarity with writing simple scripts in Python or Power Shell to automate repetitive tasks or parse data Log & System Familiarity: Basic understanding of what logs are (e.g., Windows Event Logs, Syslog) and an interest in how they are collected and analyzed Duration: Availability to commit to a full-time (or near full-time, depending on university rules) 6-month continuous Co-op assignment
Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Haves / Big Plusses):
Framework Familiarity: Conceptual knowledge of the MITRE ATT&CK framework and how it maps to adversary behaviors Hands-on Exposure: Previous experience using SIEM/XDR platforms, or building a home lab (e.g., Splunk, Elastic, Wireshark) Regulatory Awareness: A general awareness of cybersecurity frameworks or local compliance standards (like NCA ECC or SAMA CSF) Soft Skills: Strong analytical mindset, a high level of curiosity to dig into threat trends, and excellent written documentation skills
Benefits
???? Impact that Matters - Build products that shape the future of cybersecurity and protect organizations globally.
???? On-Site Collaboration - Be at the heart of innovation in our Riyadh office, working side by side with passionate experts.
???? Continuous Growth - Access to certifications, trainings, and opportunities to sharpen your expertise.
???? Culture of Trust - We empower talent, encourage ownership, and celebrate real outcomes.