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Associate Information Security Engineer Jobs in California

You will join a highly collaborative Agile DevOps delivery team of information security professionals responsible for proactively identifying/remediating vulnerabilities, conducting threat ...

The Information Security Engineer will also support security and compliance initiatives and assessments. Successful applicants are self-motivated, detail-oriented, and have the technical acumen to ...

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Associate Information Security Engineer information

See California salary details

$36K

$81.7K

$159.9K

How much do associate information security engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate information security engineer in California is $81,733.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,300.00 and $94,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is 40 too old for cyber security?

Age is not a barrier to becoming an Associate Information Security Engineer. Many professionals successfully transition into cybersecurity at various ages, leveraging skills like problem-solving, continuous learning, and certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or CISSP. Employers value experience and skills over age, and the field offers opportunities for ongoing education and career growth regardless of age.

Can you make $500,000 a year in cyber security?

Associate Information Security Engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Reaching a $500,000 salary generally requires senior roles such as security architects, chief information security officers, or those with extensive expertise, leadership responsibilities, and specialized skills in areas like threat management or security architecture.

What does an Associate Information Security Engineer do?

An Associate Information Security Engineer supports the design, implementation, and maintenance of an organization’s information security systems. They assist in monitoring networks and systems for security breaches, help perform vulnerability assessments, and respond to security incidents. Their responsibilities often include configuring security tools, creating reports, and staying updated on the latest threats. This entry-level role is typically supervised by more experienced security engineers and provides foundational experience in cybersecurity practices.

What is the difference between Associate Information Security Engineer vs Security Analyst?

AspectAssociate Information Security EngineerSecurity Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP (entry-level), CEH (preferred)CompTIA Security+, CISSP (entry-level), CEH (preferred)
Work EnvironmentSupport security infrastructure, assist in implementing security measures, collaborate with engineering teamsMonitor security systems, analyze threats, respond to incidents
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, financial institutions, government agenciesVarious industries including finance, healthcare, and tech

The Associate Information Security Engineer and Security Analyst roles share similar certifications and work environments, often collaborating within cybersecurity teams. While the engineer focuses on supporting security infrastructure and implementing measures, the analyst primarily monitors and responds to security threats. Both roles are essential in maintaining organizational security and are frequently searched together by professionals entering or advancing in cybersecurity careers.

What does an associate security engineer do?

An associate security engineer supports the implementation and management of security measures to protect an organization’s information systems. They assist with monitoring network traffic, analyzing security vulnerabilities, and responding to security incidents, often using tools like firewalls and intrusion detection systems. This role typically requires foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles and may involve obtaining certifications such as CompTIA Security+.

Can I make $200,000 a year in cyber security?

Associate Information Security Engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Reaching a $200,000 salary usually requires advanced roles such as senior engineer, security architect, or management positions, often with specialized skills and certifications like CISSP or CISA. Salary growth in cybersecurity depends on experience, technical expertise, and the complexity of the organization's security environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Information Security Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Information Security Engineer, you need a strong understanding of network security, vulnerability assessment, and cybersecurity principles, often backed by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with security tools such as firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and certifications like CompTIA Security+ or CISSP are commonly expected. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you identify threats and collaborate with teams. These competencies are crucial for protecting organizational data and mitigating evolving cyber threats.

What are some common challenges faced by an Associate Information Security Engineer when starting in the field?

As an Associate Information Security Engineer, newcomers often face challenges such as quickly learning complex security tools, staying updated with evolving threats, and understanding how security integrates with broader IT operations. Collaborating with various teams—like IT, development, and compliance—can also require strong communication skills and adaptability. It's normal to feel overwhelmed initially, but with mentorship, hands-on experience, and continuous learning, you'll gain confidence and proficiency in protecting organizational assets.
What are the most commonly searched types of Information Security Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Information Security Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Associate Information Security Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Associate Information Security Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Associate Information Security Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Temporary. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $81,733 per year, or $39.3 per hour.
Information Security Engineer

Information Security Engineer

Intel Corporation

Folsom, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Intel rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

19th of 155 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Job Details:
Job Description:
The Cyber Defense organization is seeking an Information Security Engineer to support comprehensive offensive and defensive security operations across multiple enterprise environments. You will join a highly collaborative Agile DevOps delivery team of information security professionals responsible for proactively identifying/remediating vulnerabilities, conducting threat assessments, and implementing robust security measures to protect Intel's critical assets, systems, and applications.
The Cyber Defense team manages security controls spanning vulnerability scanning, security patching, penetration testing, application security, cloud security, and lab security across all Intel domains. Our offensive security operations include thorough security assessments of enterprise-connected assets including physical hosts, network devices, applications, virtual machines, cloud infrastructure, and social engineering vectors.
This role requires a passion for quality, security, automation, and the skills to understand complex systems with a desire for continual improvement and innovation. You will join a DevOps team of Information Security professionals responsible for developing, configuring, and operating security controls.
This includes security controls validation, discovery, offensive security, attack detection and containment, vulnerability detection and remediation, development of AI models and agentic systems that respond to AI generated attack paths.
As an Information Security Engineer your responsibilities will be, but not limited to:
  • Configuration, management, and operations of core platforms within the Cyber Defense organization (e.g. vulnerability/application scanning, security patching, asset discovery/identification, exposure management, etc.).
  • Perform external attack surface management responsibilities such as, attack path analysis, exposure exploitability analysis, and tactical remediation and containment of high-risk exposures
  • Verify efficacy of security controls implemented on a variety of Intel enterprise systems, infrastructure, and applications.
  • Recommend remediation actions to discovered security vulnerabilities and weaknesses.
  • Evaluate threat intelligence and determine potential risk to Intel.
    Understand and emulate adversary Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures in assessing the security posture of a wide range of systems.
  • Work closely with software development engineers, system engineers, and other information security teams in supporting information security projects and initiatives.
  • Develop and support security solutions that integrate and interface with customers/business units.
  • Produce quality reporting documentation, tailoring the relative detail of the content to the audience.
  • Be a team player within the functional team, and across other Intel teams and stakeholders.
  • Support vulnerability assessments of AI systems by running scans, documenting findings, and helping track remediation of identified issues in models and datasets.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand AI workflows and identify potential security gaps.
  • Help develop defensive and / or offensive AI agents / to respond to or emulate AI assisted attackers.
  • Support and work in an Agile and DevOps team focused on security operations, analytics, and solution development.

The ideal candidate should show the following behavioral traits:
  • Strong communication and coordination skills across multiple stakeholder groups.
  • Demonstrated results leveraging perseverance, patience, persistence, problem-solving, vulnerability hunting, and the willingness to work well with ambiguity.

A collaborative team player with a good attitude, trustworthy, knows when to push and when to stop, and understands the potential downstream impacts of technical actions.
Qualifications:
Minimum qualifications are required to be initially considered for this position
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Security, or any other science/engineering related field.
  • 5+ years of experience supporting Information Security operations, vulnerability management, and/or service delivery.

Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates.
  • Experience in Offensive Security and Vulnerability Management including Vulnerability Assessment, Identification, and Remediation.
  • Server/system architectures, operating systems, system patching, system and security configuration, auditing, and automation.
  • Windows and Linux administration (i.e., installation, configuration, and troubleshooting).
  • Experience in adversary emulation, network penetration testing, web application penetration testing, and cloud penetration testing (e.g. Azure, GCP, AWS).
  • Practical experience with Windows, PowerShell, Active Directory, EntraID (Azure Active Directory), Linux OS (various flavors), networking, scripting/coding (Python, C#, Ruby, JavaScript, BASH, Go, etc.), cloud security, and DevOps/CICD/container/K8s.
  • Developing scripting and automation solutions to support system configuration, performance, and troubleshooting.
  • AI/LLM and AI Agents knowledge and experience.
  • Implementing and supporting cloud-based solutions / Network protocols (TCP/IP) as well as protocols associated with common device communications / Information Security best practices and technologies.
  • Experience working in an Agile environment and with Scrum practices.
  • Excellent communication skills, with a breadth of technical skills, and an eagerness to Information security certifications through industry recognized organizations such as: SANS, ISACA (CISM), ISC2 (CISSP), CompTIA (Security+), MCSE, AWS, CCNA, ITIL). Offensive security certifications (e.g. CEH, OSCP, CRTO) and other pen-testing certifications.

Job Type:
Experienced Hire
Shift:
Shift 1 (United States of America)
Primary Location:
US, California, Folsom
Additional Locations:
US, Arizona, Phoenix
Posting Statement:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.
Position of Trust
N/A
Benefits
We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.
Annual Salary Range for jobs which could be performed in the US: $89,340.00-175,210.00 USD
The range displayed on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target compensation for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific compensation range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Work Model for this Role
This role will be eligible for our hybrid work model which allows employees to split their time between working on-site at their assigned Intel site and off-site. * Job posting details (such as work model, location or time type) are subject to change.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Intel is committed to Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) compliance and ethical hiring practices. We do not charge any fees during our hiring process. Candidates should never be required to pay recruitment fees, medical examination fees, or any other charges as a condition of employment. If you are asked to pay any fees during our hiring process, please report this immediately to your recruiter.

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Intel logo

About Intel

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Intel strives to make every facet of semiconductor manufacturing state-of-the-art -- from semiconductor process development and manufacturing, through yield improvement to packaging, final test and optimization, and world class Supply Chain and facilities support. Employees in the Technology and Manufacturing Group are part of a worldwide network of design, development, manufacturing, and assembly/test facilities, all focused on utilizing the power of Moore's Law to bring smart, connected devices to every person on Earth

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1968