Cybersecurity Lead Jobs in California

Cybersecurity Lead jobs in California sit at the center of one of the most active technology job markets in the country, with strong demand across defense contracting, financial services, healthcare systems, and enterprise technology firms at every level from senior analyst through principal lead. The heaviest hiring concentrates in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers such as Northrop Grumman, Kaiser Permanente, and Wells Fargo maintain major California operations. The most sought-after specialties include cloud security architecture, zero-trust implementation, and security operations center leadership. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Cybersecurity Lead Jobs

Overview

Open roles40+
Top employerTikTok
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring21
Work type70% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 40+ Cybersecurity Lead jobs

Pacific Life
Cybersecurity Review Program Lead
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Pacific Life
Added 6d ago
Cybersecurity Review Program Lead
Pacific Life
Newport Beach, California
Cybersecurity
Compliance & Legal
Compliance & Risk
Security Engineering
$113k - $139k/yr
Hybrid
None
1,001-5,000

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Eli Lilly
Software Product Engineering Technical Lead/Manager
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Eli Lilly
Added 3d ago
Software Product Engineering Technical Lead/Manager
Eli Lilly
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
Project & Program Management
Cloud & DevOps
Cybersecurity
Technical Program Management
Project Management
Cloud Engineering
$138k - $246k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Alo
Lead Client Engineer
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Alo
Added 1w ago
Lead Client Engineer
Alo
Los Angeles, California
IT Support & Systems Administration
Technical Product & Program Management
Cloud & DevOps
Cybersecurity
IT Support
$135k - $155k/yr
On-Site
None
11-50

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Cardless
Product Security Lead
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Cardless
Added 1w ago
Product Security Lead
Cardless
San Francisco, California
Cybersecurity
Technical Product & Program Management
Security Engineering
Technical Program Management
$190k - $260k/yr
On-Site
None

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Ingram Micro
Lead Principal Architect
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Ingram Micro
Added 1w ago
Lead Principal Architect
Ingram Micro
Irvine, California
Cloud & DevOps
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
Cybersecurity
Cloud Engineering
Technical Program Management
$191k - $324k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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See All 40 Cybersecurity Lead Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Cybersecurity Lead Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
7 jobs
San Jose
7 jobs
Los Angeles
3 jobs
Burlingame
2 jobs
Fremont
2 jobs
Garden Grove
2 jobs
San Francisco Bay Area
2 jobs
Campbell
1 jobs
Culver City
1 jobs

Cybersecurity Lead Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • TikTok
    TikTok3
  • ByteDance
    ByteDance2
  • Cisco
    Cisco2
  • Veeam Software
    Veeam Software2
  • ALO
    ALO1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software14
  • Electronics & Hardware6
  • Construction & Real Estate3
  • Consulting & Professional Services3
  • Manufacturing3

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in cybersecurity lead jobs across California.

  • Seven or more years of experience in information security or related cybersecurity roles
  • Active CISSP, CISM, or equivalent recognized certification held at time of hire
  • Demonstrated experience leading security operations teams or cross-functional security programs
  • Deep knowledge of NIST, ISO 27001, or CIS frameworks applied in enterprise environments
  • Experience securing cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or a closely related technical field

Cybersecurity Lead Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a cybersecurity lead in California?

The most direct path is building a foundation in IT or network administration, then earning a recognized professional certification such as CISSP or CISM, which California employers treat as the primary qualifying credential for lead-level roles. California does not require a state-issued license for cybersecurity positions, so hiring decisions rest on certifications, hands-on experience, and a demonstrated record of managing security programs. Many candidates move into lead roles after several years in analyst or engineer positions at California's large technology, healthcare, or government contractors.

How much do cybersecurity leads make in California?

Cybersecurity leads in California earn a median of about $138,570 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $66,070 for the lowest 10% to over $221,000 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire cybersecurity leads in California?

Employers hiring cybersecurity leads in California right now include TikTok, ByteDance, and Cisco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, major health systems, and enterprise technology headquarters makes it one of the most diverse hiring markets for this role in the country.

Which California cities have the most cybersecurity lead jobs?

San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles account for the most cybersecurity lead openings in California. The Bay Area drives volume through its density of enterprise technology companies and financial institutions, Los Angeles adds defense contractors and entertainment-sector security programs, and San Diego's market is anchored by the large Navy and defense presence that generates sustained demand for cleared and enterprise security professionals.

Are there remote cybersecurity lead jobs in California?

Yes, and more than many comparable senior technical roles, since a significant portion of the work involves policy oversight, vendor management, and program coordination rather than on-site infrastructure. About 30% of cybersecurity lead openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting strong employer appetite for flexible arrangements at this level. Roles focused on governance, risk, and compliance tend to offer the most consistent remote options, while positions tied to classified environments or physical data centers remain primarily on-site.

How can I get hired as a cybersecurity lead in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is starting in a security analyst or IT administrator role at a California employer that runs internal development programs, then building toward lead responsibilities over time. Large California health systems such as Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, along with defense contractors including Northrop Grumman and Leidos, run structured early-career programs that move candidates from associate security roles into senior tracks. Earning the CompTIA Security+ certification first strengthens any application, and California community colleges partner with several of these employers on workforce pipelines that do not require prior security experience.

Where can I find and apply to cybersecurity lead jobs in California?

You can find and apply to cybersecurity lead jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated in real time. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level, location preference, and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 40 Cybersecurity Lead Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Cybersecurity Lead Jobs