IT Security Engineer Jobs in California

IT Security Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand from technology companies, defense contractors, financial institutions, and healthcare systems at levels from entry-level analyst to senior architect. San Jose, San Francisco, and Los Angeles anchor most of the hiring, with major employers including Lockheed Martin, Kaiser Permanente, and Wells Fargo maintaining large security teams across the state. The most sought-after specialties in California listings are cloud security, zero-trust architecture, and security operations center work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find IT Security Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles33
Top employerGoFormz
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring19
Work type64% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 33+ IT Security Engineer jobs

Vir Biotechnology
Senior IT Security & Infrastructure Engineer (Temporary)
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Vir Biotechnology
Added 2d ago
Senior IT Security & Infrastructure Engineer (Temporary)
Vir Biotechnology
San Francisco, California
Cybersecurity
Security Engineering
Technical Program Management
$65 - $90/hr
501-1,000

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O
IT & Information Security Manager
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O
Added 3d ago
IT & Information Security Manager
OpenArt AI
San Carlos, California
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$300k - $500k/yr
Hybrid

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FAR.AI
IT & Security Manager
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FAR.AI
Added 6d ago
IT & Security Manager
FAR.AI
Berkeley, California
IT Support & Systems Administration
Health & Safety (EHS & OHS)
IT Support
Security & Protective Services
$185k - $250k/yr
On-Site
None

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E
IT & Information Security Manager
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E
Added 1w ago
IT & Information Security Manager
Embedding VC
San Francisco, California
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$300k - $500k/yr

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Gilead Sciences
Intern - CFO - IT (Security, Risk, and Compliance)
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Gilead Sciences
Added 1w ago
Intern - CFO - IT (Security, Risk, and Compliance)
Gilead Sciences
Foster City, California
Corporate Training
Educational Administration
Learning & Development
$20 - $55/hr
Master's degree in business administration
10,000+

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See All 33 IT Security Engineer Jobs in California

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IT Security Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
6 jobs
San Diego
5 jobs
Berkeley
3 jobs
Irvine
2 jobs
San Jose
2 jobs
Foster City
2 jobs
Vista
1 job
Tustin
1 job
Walnut
1 job

IT Security Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

GoFormz
GoFormz2 open roles
University of California Berkeley
University of California Berkeley2 open roles
FAR.AI
FAR.AI1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Science & Research

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in IT security engineer jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or a related technical field
  • Industry certification such as CISSP, CISM, CEH, or CompTIA Security+ strongly preferred
  • Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms, endpoint detection, and incident response tools
  • Working knowledge of NIST, ISO 27001, and California Consumer Privacy Act compliance frameworks
  • Experience securing cloud environments on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform
  • Ability to obtain or maintain security clearance for defense and government contract roles

IT Security Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a it security engineer in California?

IT security engineer roles in California do not require a state-issued license, but employers consistently expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or information systems alongside recognized industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CompTIA Security+. California's large defense and financial sectors often require candidates to complete a federal security clearance process. Building hands-on experience through internships, capture-the-flag competitions, or home lab projects strengthens applications considerably.

How much do IT security engineers make in California?

IT security engineers 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 it security engineers in California?

Employers hiring it security engineers in California right now include GoFormz, University of California Berkeley, and FAR.AI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of technology headquarters, defense primes, and large hospital systems means consistent openings appear across a wide range of industries rather than clustering in a single sector.

Which California cities have the most it security engineer jobs?

San Francisco, San Diego, and Berkeley post the most it security engineer openings in California. The San Jose and San Francisco concentration reflects the density of technology headquarters and cloud infrastructure firms in the Bay Area, while Los Angeles draws volume from entertainment studios, aerospace and defense contractors, and large financial services firms headquartered in the region.

Are there remote it security engineer jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 36% of it security engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how much of the work centers on monitoring dashboards, writing policies, and reviewing logs rather than touching physical hardware. Roles tied to on-site infrastructure, data centers, or government facilities with classified networks remain in-person by requirement.

How can I get hired as a it security engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is landing a security analyst or IT support role first, then moving laterally into security engineering. Large California technology companies and hospital systems including those in the UC Health network run structured associate and rotational programs that accept candidates without dedicated security experience. Earning CompTIA Security+ or completing a recognized cybersecurity bootcamp recognized by California community colleges signals commitment, and a documented home lab or capture-the-flag portfolio gives interviewers something concrete to evaluate.

Where can I find and apply to it security engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to it security engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly through each listing.

See All 33 IT Security Engineer Jobs in California

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

Find IT Security Engineer Jobs