Security Operations Engineer Jobs in California
Security Operations Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in cybersecurity, defense contracting, cloud infrastructure, and financial technology, with demand running from entry-level analysts through senior architects. The heaviest hiring clusters around the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers like Northrop Grumman, Palo Alto Networks, and Cisco maintain deep security operations teams. The most consistent demand is in threat detection engineering, SIEM platform management, and cloud-native security operations. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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1Chevron is accepting online applications for the position Lead Security Operations Coordinator (Security Manager) through August 26th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time).
The Lead Security Operations Coordinator manages a team which is responsible for refinery security and communications and plays a critical role in stakeholder engagement with key internal leaders and teams, federal and state agencies and the local community. The position is also the Refinery Facility Security Officer designated role under the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA). Reports to the Senior HSE Manager, El Segundo.
Responsibilities for this position may include but are not limited to:
- Manage the facility security team, access control / surveillance system, dispatch and communications system
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (including but not limited to MTSA, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), US Customs and Border Protection Foreign Trade Zone, and State lands); Chevron OEMS; and El Segundo refinery security and emergency management standards, plans, procedures and instructions
- Support compliance with refinery emergency response and business continuity plans, process and procedures and serve as a member of the refinery incident management team
- Conduct incident investigations and threat assessments as required
- Coordinate/support key refinery, regulatory and community activities to ensure they are safely and successfully conducted
- Lead engagement and build strong working relationships with regulatory agencies such as El Segundo and Manhattan Beach Police Departments, U.S. Coast Guard, DHS, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC)
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as Corporate Affairs, Chevron Corporate Real Estate, Operations, Maintenance, Technical, Turnarounds, Information Technology and Global Security to achieve refinery and business outcomes
- Identify, coordinate and participate in security improvement opportunities, initiatives and projects leveraging technology/AI with a focus on simplification, standardization and alignment working with other asset security leaders and teams
- Manage the refinery security/radio budget and serve as the business owner for refinery security and communications contracts
- Represent Chevron and/or El Segundo Refinery in various internal and external working groups/committees
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in security management, criminal justice/criminology, emergency management or related discipline
- Valid California driver’s license
- Quantified experience: minimum 10 years relevant supervisory and professional experience (such as high risk industrial, military, law enforcement, agency emergency response, large scale petrochemical plant security)
- Experience in interpreting and complying with security and emergency management regulatory requirements and implementing programs/procedures for sustained compliance
- Experience in emergency response / Incident Command Systems (ICS)
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing without authority skills
- Problem-solving and gap resolution skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Strong computing and use of Microsoft applications skills (i.e. excel, word, outlook, teams, etc.)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Facility Security Officer (FSO) Certification
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- Incident Command System Certification (ICS 100-200-300)
- Prior experience with access control / surveillance technology, dispatch and communication systems
- Prior experience working collaboratively with regulators, community groups and industry bodies
- Experience in effectively coordinating events, audits and inspections with internal and external stakeholders
- Experience in managing budgets and third-party contracts
- Incident investigation and threat assessment experience
Relocation Options:
Relocation is not offered for this role. Only local candidates will be considered.
International Considerations:
Expatriate assignments will not be considered.
Chevron regrets that it is unable to sponsor employment Visas or consider individuals on time-limited Visa status for this position.
Regulatory Disclosure for US Positions
- The compensation and reference to benefits for this role is listed on this posting in compliance with applicable law. Please note that the compensation and benefits listed below are only applicable for U.S. payroll offers.
- The anticipated salary range for this position is $137,600 – $206,400. The selected candidate’s compensation will be determined based on their skills, experience, and qualifications.
- Chevron offers competitive compensation and benefits programs which includes, but is not limited to, variable pay, health care coverage, retirement plan, protection coverage, time off and leave programs, training and development opportunities and a range of allowances connected to specific work situations. Details are available at http://hr2.chevron.com/.
U.S. Regulatory notice:
Chevron is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, reproductive health decision-making, military or veteran status, political preference, marital status, citizenship, genetic information or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation, please email us at emplymnt@chevron.com.
Chevron participates in E-Verify in certain locations as required by law.
See All 56 Security Operations Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsSecurity Operations Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Security Operations Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Allied Universal12

- TikTok5

- Tesla2

- Whatnot2

- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory2

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Banking & Financial Services
- Retail
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Electronics & Hardware
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in security operations engineer jobs across California.
- At least one active certification such as CISSP, CEH, or CompTIA Security+ recognized in California
- Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms such as Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel, or IBM QRadar
- Demonstrated ability to detect, triage, and respond to security incidents in a live environment
- Working knowledge of network protocols, firewall configuration, and endpoint detection tools
- Experience scripting in Python, PowerShell, or Bash to automate security operations workflows
- Familiarity with cloud security controls across AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud environments
Security Operations Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a security operations engineer in California?
Most California employers expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or a related field, combined with an industry certification such as CISSP, CompTIA Security+, or CEH. California has no state-issued license specific to this role, so the credential path runs through recognized industry bodies. Entry typically starts in a security analyst or IT support role, and candidates who build hands-on experience with SIEM tools and incident response before applying have a clear advantage in the state's competitive market.
How much do security operations engineers make in California?
Security operations 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 security operations engineers in California?
Employers hiring security operations engineers in California right now include Allied Universal, TikTok, and Tesla, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, major tech platforms, and financial institutions means steady year-round hiring rather than seasonal spikes.
Which California cities have the most security operations engineer jobs?
San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles have the most security operations engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of the density of cybersecurity firms, cloud providers, and enterprise tech headquarters, while Los Angeles draws from a broad mix of entertainment technology, aerospace, and financial services companies, and San Diego's volume is largely driven by defense contractors and government-adjacent employers.
Are there remote security operations engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most technical roles, because security operations work centers on monitoring dashboards, analyzing log data, and managing cloud-based tooling rather than on-site hardware. About 38% of security operations engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, making it one of the more flexible roles in the field. Threat intelligence, SIEM management, and incident response coordination tend to be the functions most often performed fully remotely.
How can I get hired as a security operations engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a security analyst or IT helpdesk role at a mid-size California employer, then building toward security operations responsibilities from within. Large California employers in defense and tech such as Northrop Grumman and Cisco run associate and rotational programs that bring in candidates with certifications but limited professional experience. Earning CompTIA Security+ or completing a structured blue-team lab portfolio through a platform like a community college cybersecurity program in California signals readiness to hiring managers who would otherwise require prior experience.
Where can I find and apply to security operations engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to security operations engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listing.
See All 56 Security Operations Engineer Jobs in California
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