Role: Microsoft Security Engineer - Defender SME (Contract)Location: Home based with onsite work in Edinburgh.Contract: (6 month Outside IR35 - Rate 450-550 (DOE)Role Overview:As a Microsoft Security Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in designing and implementing security solutions centred around Microsoft Defender technologies. Your expertise will be critical in ensuring robust architecture, effective threat detection, and efficient incident response for customers. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional customer and internal teams to enhance security posture and safeguard the customer's assets.Responsibilities:Architecture and Design:Develop and maintain blueprints for Microsoft Defender solutions (Endpoint, Cloud, Office, XDR, Identity, Cloud Apps, IoT).Align security controls with best practices.Seamlessly integrate Defender components.Implementation and Optimization:Deploy and configure Microsoft Defender tools.Optimize security policies and alerts.Conduct vulnerability assessments.Expertise in Microsoft Defender:Stay updated on features and best practices.Guide operational teams.Secondary Experience:Familiarity with Entra, Azure Sentinel, and Microsoft Purview.Integrate Defender with broader security ecosystem.Customer Interaction:Visit Edinburgh site - ideally weekly.Tailor solutions to customer needs.Skills:Expertise in Microsoft Defender products.Communication and collaboration skills.Desirable certifications: SC-100, SC-200, SC-300, SC-400, AZ-500.