Mycobacterium abscessus is a bacterial pathogen that infects those with impaired lung function due to diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis (CF), and results in chronic pulmonary infection that is extremely difficult to treat. This is in part due to the ability of M. abscessus to manipulate host immune responses by the production of virulence factors. Our study sought to identify virulence factors produced by a clinical isolate of M. abscessus, which may facilitate pathogen survival within the lung. Using whole genome sequencing data of an M. abscessus strain isolated from a cystic fibrosis patient, we used in silico protein prediction software to identify a novel set of proteins known as an ESX secretion system. These proteins are previously undescribed for this species, but bear similarity to those used by other Mycobacterial pathogens to help evade innate immune defences and survive within host cells. Genome comparison of this M. abscessus strain to others isolated from pulmonary infections indicates the presence of this ESX system in globally diverse M. abscessus clinical isolates. Expression of effector proteins from this system can be detected in vitro in different growth conditions, suggesting a significant role of these proteins in M. abscessus survival. This work has uncovered a novel set of virulence factors which may promote M. abscessus survival and contribute to its profile as a formidable pulmonary pathogen. While further studies are required to elucidate the function of these proteins, expanding our knowledge of M. abscessus virulence factors may lead to novel vaccine candidates or critical therapeutic targets to counter this deadly pathogen.