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Security Operations Engineer Jobs in Oakland, CA

The Role We're hiring our founding Security Operations Engineer to help build and scale our security program from the ground up. This is a hands‑on role for a builder who wants to shape security ...

23andMe Research Institute is looking for an experienced Security Operations Engineer to join our Security Operations team. In this role you will lead security incident response as Incident Commander ...

Senior Security Operations Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$134K - $185K/yr

What you'll do As a Security Operations Engineer at Brex, you will focus on preventing, detecting and responding to security threats across Brex's corporate and cloud environments. You will use ...

Senior Security Operations Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$134K - $185K/yr

What skills and experience do you need? * 5+ years of experience in Security Operations, Incident Response, Detection Engineering, or similar security roles. * Strong understanding of attacker ...

We are looking for a Security Operations Lead (SOC Lead) to build, mature, and operate our 24/7 ... Developer platforms + CI/CD pipelines * AI/ML systems and model‑serving workflows * AI‑Based ...

Security Operations Lead

Foster City, CA · On-site

$295K - $385K/yr

We are looking for a Security Operations Lead (SOC Lead) to build, mature, and operate our 24/7 ... Developer platforms + CI/CD pipelines * AI/ML systems and model-serving workflows AI-Based SOC ...

You'll partner closely with Security Engineering, Platform Security, IT, GRC, and Legal to strengthen our detection and response capabilities, improve operational resilience, and help shape the ...

Own Figma's security monitoring and incident response program, from detection engineering through post‑incident review and continuous improvement. * Build and automate security operations workflows ...

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Showing results 1-20

Security Operations Engineer information

See Oakland, CA salary details

$38.5K

$158.2K

$199.8K

How much do security operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for security operations engineer in Oakland, CA is $158,197.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,500.00 and $198,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a security operations engineer do?

As a security operations engineer, your job is to monitor a network or system and help implement new methods of protection and data recovery. In this role, you may conduct a vulnerability assessment for each emerging threat, coordinate with other security specialists, and help develop responses with industry peers. This job title refers to maintaining network security systems and should not be confused with non-electronic security operations, such as safeguarding VIPs or facilities. A security operations engineer works regular hours, but employers may call you in for emergency help as needed. This position usually reports to someone, such as a chief information security officer. You may occasionally brief executives or other managers on relevant topics, so presentation skills are helpful.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a security operations engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Security Operations Engineer, you need a solid understanding of network security, incident response, and vulnerability management, typically supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Experience with SIEM tools (like Splunk or QRadar), firewalls, IDS/IPS, and certifications such as CISSP or CompTIA Security+ are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you quickly detect and respond to security threats while collaborating with teams. These skills are crucial to proactively safeguarding organizational assets, minimizing risks, and ensuring swift recovery from security incidents.

What are some of the main challenges security operations engineers face when responding to security incidents?

Security Operations Engineers often face challenges such as quickly identifying genuine threats among large volumes of security alerts, coordinating responses across multiple teams, and containing incidents before they escalate. Balancing thorough investigation with the need for rapid action can be demanding, especially in high-pressure situations. Additionally, staying updated on emerging threats and ensuring compliance with security protocols are ongoing responsibilities that require continuous learning and adaptability.

What is the difference between Security Operations Engineer vs Security Analyst?

AspectSecurity Operations EngineerSecurity Analyst
CertificationsCompTIA Security+, CISSP, CEHCompTIA Security+, GIAC Security Essentials
Work EnvironmentHands-on security infrastructure management, incident responseMonitoring, analyzing security data, reporting
Employer & Industry UsageIT security teams in various industries, focusing on security operations

The Security Operations Engineer focuses on managing security systems and responding to incidents, while the Security Analyst primarily monitors security data and analyzes threats. Both roles require similar certifications and work closely within security teams, but their daily tasks differ in scope and focus.

What are popular job titles related to Security Operations Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA?

For Security Operations Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Security Operations Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Security Operations Engineer jobs in Oakland, CA are:

What cities near Oakland, CA are hiring for Security Operations Engineer jobs?

Cities near Oakland, CA with the most Security Operations Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Security Operations Engineer job openings in Oakland, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $158,197 per year, or $76.1 per hour.

Security Operations Engineer

Apex Systems

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

# Security Operations EngineerApply**Job#: 3043920****Job Description:**Security Operations Engineer**Location:** RemoteRole OverviewThis role will function as a technical specialist bridging security engineering and customer enablement. The position is responsible for deploying and tailoring security instances to meet diverse needs, ensuring robust integration with customer Security Operations Centers. The role involves monitoring systems for intrusions and partnering with engineering teams to proactively identify flaws, tune detection capabilities, and remediate vulnerabilities.Key Responsibilities* Implement monitoring strategies, response plans, and awareness programs, and optimize security tools.* Use threat intelligence to hunt active and dormant threats, perform forensics, and deliver post-incident reports.* Conduct ongoing threat hunts using intelligence, perform deep forensic analysis, and provide actionable post-incident guidance.* Embed best practices into the software development lifecycle, building automated evaluation pipelines for secure code deployment.* Apply methodologies and threat intelligence to research vulnerabilities in core infrastructure and AI systems.* Use generative AI to automate complex testing and expose novel attack vectors.Required Qualifications**Education:** Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.**Experience:** 5 years of experience in security engineering, computer and network security, or security protocols. 5 years of experience with security assessments, security design reviews, threat modeling, or vulnerability research. 1 year of experience leading teams or projects in a technical capacity, or leading technical risk analysis in an enterprise environment.**Technical Skills:** 5 years of coding or software development experience in one or more general-purpose languages such as Python, Go, C++, or Java.**Certifications:** Ability to obtain a specific Professional Security Operations Engineer certification within 1 month of start date.Preferred Qualifications* Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues and provide hands-on configuration support.* Excellent communication skills, capable of delivering technical training and translating complex technical requirements into actionable implementation steps.* A collaborative team player who works effectively with various stakeholders to drive project success.* A proactive approach to continuous improvement, helping customers optimize their security posture and operational processes. *Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.**Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at https://www.apexsystems.com/privacy-policy**Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.**Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.**If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at accommodations@apexsystems.com or 804-523-8228. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.**UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.***Employee Type:** Contract**Remote:** Yes**Location:** Mountain View, CA, US**Job Type:****Date Posted:** July 27, 2026**Pay Range:** $90 - $120 per hour #J-18808-Ljbffr