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Security Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

At Gamma, we believe security engineering must evolve to meet this moment. That means closing patch gaps faster, scanning our own code with the same frontier models an attacker would use, designing ...

Security Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$160 - $210/hr

As a Security Engineer on Skydio's Security team, you'll build the automation and internal tooling that keep our multi-tenant cloud and corporate environments secure and audit-ready. You'll write ...

Security Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$170 - $210/hr

engineering San Francisco, CA | Hybrid full-time We are seeking a highly skilled Security Engineer to join our Series A team as we scale from early product traction to broader customer adoption. You ...

Security Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180 - $310/hr

At Gamma, we believe security engineering must evolve to meet this moment. That means closing patch gaps faster, scanning our own code with the same frontier models an attacker would use, designing ...

Security Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$160 - $210/hr

As a Security Engineer on Skydio's Security team, you'll build the automation and internal tooling that keep our multi-tenant cloud and corporate environments secure and audit-ready. You'll write ...

Security Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $330K/yr

About the Team The Security Engineering team at Decagon protects the platform that powers the most advanced conversational AI agents for enterprise customers across voice, chat, email and SMS. We ...

Meta's Cross-Meta Security organization is seeking a distinguished Security Engineer to operate at the highest level of technical leadership across the

Position Summary As a Security Engineer at HeyGen, you will own the security posture of one of the fastest-growing AI companies in the world. You will partner directly with engineering teams to ship ...

Security Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$181.10 - $318.40/hr

Join our Apple Pay Security Engineering team and help us deliver the safest and best user experience. We work on Payments, Transit, Access, and Identity across hardware, software, and servers. If you ...

Security Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$260K - $300K/yr

About the Role Security Engineers at Cognition own one of the most interesting security surfaces in the industry. Devin executes arbitrary code on behalf of users across millions of sandboxed ...

Security Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

We're hiring a hands‑on (Senior) Product Security Engineer to design, build, and harden the secure architecture at the core of the product, working as a technical partner to our Core engineering ...

Security Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$159 - $201/hr

Reporting to the Manager, Security Engineering, you will be a member of the technical security operations team at the company. Security is one of the main strategic pillars at Everlaw, and we are ...

Security Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120 - $150/hr

THE ROLE We are seeking an experienced and proactive Security Engineer to help us build, maintain, and continuously improve the security posture of our rapidly growing ML infrastructure platform. As ...

As a Security Engineer you will identify and drive impactful projects to improve the security of Figma's product, platform, and IT systems. We are hiring for multiple teams within Security ...

Security Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$130 - $160/hr

We're looking for a staff+ level Security Engineer to join as an early team lead and own the design and evolution of security architecture, systems hardening, and incident response across the ...

You might be doing this today as a Senior or Staff Security Engineer Vulnerability Management Engineer or Lead Threat and Vulnerability Management Engineer Cloud Security Engineer Product or ...

Showing results 21-40

Security Engineer information

See California salary details

$60.7K

$150.8K

$202.8K

How much do security engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for security engineer in California is $150,773.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,100.00 and $156,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a security engineer?

A service provider is responsible for delivering professional quality services on behalf of a business or organization. The types of services vary depending on the businesses they work with. Many companies partner with experts in the local community to perform functions on their behalf rather than developing the expertise in-house. A service provider performs the services based on a written legal agreement and charges fees for their work.

How does a security engineer typically collaborate with other IT teams within an organization?

Security Engineers work closely with various IT teams such as network administrators, software developers, and system administrators to ensure security protocols are integrated at every level. This collaboration often involves conducting security assessments, reviewing code for vulnerabilities, and assisting with incident response. Regular meetings and cross-functional projects are common, as Security Engineers provide guidance on best practices and help teams understand potential threats. Effective communication and teamwork are key, as security is a shared responsibility across the organization.

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

To thrive as a Security Engineer, you need expertise in information security principles, network architecture, vulnerability assessment, and commonly a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like SIEM systems, firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and certifications such as CISSP or CEH are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set outstanding Security Engineers apart. These competencies are essential to proactively protect organizations from cyber threats, ensure compliance, and minimize security risks.

What is the difference between Security Engineer vs Network Security Specialist?

AspectSecurity EngineerNetwork Security Specialist
Required CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEHCompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA Security, CISSP
Work EnvironmentDesigning, implementing, and maintaining security systems across IT infrastructureMonitoring, analyzing, and securing network traffic and infrastructure
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, finance, government agenciesTelecommunications, enterprise networks, cybersecurity firms

Security Engineers focus on developing and deploying security solutions across IT systems, while Network Security Specialists concentrate on protecting network infrastructure and traffic. Both roles require similar certifications and often work together to ensure comprehensive security.

Do security engineers need a degree?

Security engineers typically do not require a formal degree but often benefit from a background in computer science, information technology, or related fields. Many employers value certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or Security+ and practical experience with security tools and protocols. Continuous learning and hands-on skills are important in this role.

How much do security engineers earn?

Security engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $90,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications such as CISSP or CEH. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals with specialized skills can earn over $150,000 annually.

What do you do as a security engineer?

A security engineer designs, implements, and maintains security systems to protect an organization’s networks, systems, and data from cyber threats. They analyze vulnerabilities, develop security protocols, and often use tools like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption. Certifications such as CISSP or CEH can enhance their effectiveness in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Security Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Security Engineer jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Security Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Security Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Security Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Security Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Security Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $150,773 per year, or $72.5 per hour.

Security Engineer

Gamma

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Why this role matters now
AI is fundamentally changing the cybersecurity landscape. Frontier AI models are rapidly reducing the time, resources, and skill required to find and exploit software vulnerabilities.
This works both ways: defenders who adopt AI tools can move just as fast. At Gamma, we believe security engineering must evolve to meet this moment. That means closing patch gaps faster, scanning our own code with the same frontier models an attacker would use, designing systems that hold even when an adversary has unlimited patience, and building incident response capabilities that can handle simultaneous, AI-accelerated threats.
You'll be building Gamma's security posture for the age of AI-driven offense and defense. If you're excited about leveraging AI to protect infrastructure at scale, this is the role.
About the role
You'll protect Gamma's platform, infrastructure, and data as we scale to serve hundreds of millions of users. That means building security tooling and automation, partnering with engineering teams to embed security into everything we ship, and helping shape how the company thinks about security as a practice. You'll work across the organization to identify and mitigate risks without slowing down development velocity.
This role combines hands-on security engineering with strategic influence. You'll write code to solve security problems, conduct architecture reviews, lead vulnerability management, and drive initiatives for compliance frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. You'll work closely with engineering, product, and compliance to make security foundational rather than reactive.
Our team has a strong in-office culture and works in person 4-5 days per week in San Francisco. We love working together to stay creative and connected, with flexibility to work from home when focus matters most.
What you'll do
  • Design and implement security controls across Gamma's AWS infrastructure and application layer
  • Build security tooling and automation to detect, prevent, and respond to threats at scale
  • Conduct security reviews of architecture designs, code, and infrastructure changes
  • Lead vulnerability management, coordinate bug bounty responses, and drive remediation priorities
  • Develop and maintain security monitoring, alerting, and incident response capabilities
  • Partner with engineering teams on secure coding practices and threat modeling
  • Deploy AI-assisted vulnerability scanning across our codebase and infrastructure-scanning our own systems with frontier models before attackers do
  • Build automated triage workflows that use AI to deduplicate findings, estimate exposure, and draft remediation tickets
  • Drive adoption of memory-safe languages and secure-by-design practices for new code, informed by current CISA and NCSC guidance

What you'll bring
  • 5+ years of software engineering experience with at least 2-3 years focused on security engineering or application security
  • Strong hands-on experience securing AWS environments, including IAM, VPC, security groups, CloudTrail, and GuardDuty
  • Proficiency in at least one backend language (Python, TypeScript/Node.js, or Go preferred) with experience building security tools
  • Deep understanding of web application security including OWASP Top 10, common vulnerability classes, and authentication/authorization patterns, with experience implementing security controls in CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, CloudFormation)
  • Clear communicator who works well embedded with product engineering teams
  • Background in penetration testing, offensive security, and SIEM/log analysis
Nice to have
  • Experience at a high-growth SaaS startup navigating rapid scaling and compliance
  • Familiarity with AI/ML security tooling, including using frontier models for code scanning, automated pentesting, or threat detection
  • Experience building zero trust architecture or identity-aware access controls (FIDO2, short-lived tokens, hardware-bound credentials)
  • Knowledge of supply chain security frameworks like SLSA, OpenSSF Scorecard, or SBOM tooling

Compensation range:
The base salary for this full-time position, which spans multiple internal levels depending on qualifications, ranges between $180K - $310K plus benefits & equity.
Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to experience and expertise in the requirements listed above.
If you're interested in this role but you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway! We're always excited about meeting great people.