Security Researcher Jobs in California
Security Researcher jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in cybersecurity, defense contracting, and technology across experience levels from entry-level analyst through principal researcher. The largest hiring hubs are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers such as Google, Lockheed Martin, and Qualcomm maintain significant security research teams. The most in-demand specialties in California include vulnerability research, threat intelligence, and reverse engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 17+ Security Researcher jobs
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
- 8 years of experience with security assessments or security design reviews or threat modeling.
- 8 years of experience with security engineering, computer and network security and security protocols.
- 8 years of coding experience in one or more general purpose languages.
- 3 years of experience leading teams in a technical capacity or leading technical risk analysis in an enterprise environment.
Preferred qualifications:
- A track record of excellent published security research.
- The ability to demonstrate significant depth of understanding in one or more vulnerability research security fields.
About the job
Our Security team works to create and maintain the safest operating environment for Google's users and developers. Security Engineers work with network equipment and actively monitor our systems for attacks and intrusions. In this role, you will also work with software engineers to proactively identify and fix security flaws and vulnerabilities.
There's no such thing as a safe system, only safer systems. Our Security team works to create and maintain the safest operating environment for Google's users and developers.
As a Security Engineer, you help protect network boundaries, keep computer systems and network devices hardened against attacks and provide security services to protect highly sensitive data like passwords and customer information. Security Engineers work directly with network equipment and actively monitor our systems for attacks and intrusions. You also work with software engineers to proactively identify and fix security flaws and vulnerabilities. You use your industry experience to own and drive the resolution of complex security incidents, policy questions and technical security issues.
We build tooling to scale security research, and create new methodologies for discovering high impact security vulnerabilities. We also use in-house exploit development to provide relevant and actionable guidance for long-term defenses and mitigations, and engage in non-technical work such as driving improvements to industry security processes and best practices. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.US: $207000 - $300000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Conduct vulnerability research and exploit development, specifically in (but not limited to) iOS, MacOS and XNU.
- Create tools and infrastructure that enables the team to scale up our research efforts.
- Engage the wider defensive community by publishing your results.
- Work with other security engineers on the analysis of, and response to vulnerabilities reported by other parties.
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
- 8 years of experience with security assessments or security design reviews or threat modeling.
- 8 years of experience with security engineering, computer and network security and security protocols.
- 8 years of coding experience in one or more general purpose languages.
- 3 years of experience leading teams in a technical capacity or leading technical risk analysis in an enterprise environment.
Preferred qualifications:
- A track record of excellent published security research.
- The ability to demonstrate significant depth of understanding in one or more vulnerability research security fields.
About the job
Our Security team works to create and maintain the safest operating environment for Google's users and developers. Security Engineers work with network equipment and actively monitor our systems for attacks and intrusions. In this role, you will also work with software engineers to proactively identify and fix security flaws and vulnerabilities.
There's no such thing as a safe system, only safer systems. Our Security team works to create and maintain the safest operating environment for Google's users and developers.
As a Security Engineer, you help protect network boundaries, keep computer systems and network devices hardened against attacks and provide security services to protect highly sensitive data like passwords and customer information. Security Engineers work directly with network equipment and actively monitor our systems for attacks and intrusions. You also work with software engineers to proactively identify and fix security flaws and vulnerabilities. You use your industry experience to own and drive the resolution of complex security incidents, policy questions and technical security issues.
We build tooling to scale security research, and create new methodologies for discovering high impact security vulnerabilities. We also use in-house exploit development to provide relevant and actionable guidance for long-term defenses and mitigations, and engage in non-technical work such as driving improvements to industry security processes and best practices. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.US: $207000 - $300000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits
Learn more about benefits at Google.
Responsibilities
- Conduct vulnerability research and exploit development, specifically in (but not limited to) iOS, MacOS and XNU.
- Create tools and infrastructure that enables the team to scale up our research efforts.
- Engage the wider defensive community by publishing your results.
- Work with other security engineers on the analysis of, and response to vulnerabilities reported by other parties.
See All 17 Security Researcher Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Security Researcher JobsSecurity Researcher Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Security Researcher Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Agriculture & Farming
- Insurance
- Science & Research
- Electronics & Hardware
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in security researcher jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related technical field
- Demonstrated experience identifying and analyzing software vulnerabilities or malware
- Proficiency in low-level programming languages such as C, C++, or assembly
- Recognized certifications such as OSCP, CEH, or GREM preferred by most California employers
- Experience with reverse engineering tools including IDA Pro, Ghidra, or Binary Ninja
- Ability to obtain or maintain a security clearance for defense and government contractor roles
Security Researcher Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a security researcher in California?
California does not require a state-issued license to work as a security researcher, so the path runs through education and demonstrated technical skill. Most employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or a closely related field. Earning an industry credential such as OSCP or GREM, building a public portfolio through capture-the-flag competitions or published vulnerability disclosures, and contributing to open-source security projects are the most effective ways to signal readiness to California hiring teams.
How much do security researchers make in California?
Security researchers 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 researchers in California?
Employers hiring security researchers in California right now include NVIDIA, Palo Alto Networks, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's density of technology headquarters and defense contractors means openings appear across both commercial software security teams and cleared government contractor programs throughout the state.
Which California cities have the most security researcher jobs?
Santa Clara, San Francisco, and San Jose have the most security researcher openings in California. The Bay Area dominates because of its concentration of major technology companies and cybersecurity startups, Los Angeles draws significant volume from entertainment technology and aerospace firms, and San Diego's openings are heavily shaped by the region's large defense contractor and Navy-adjacent employer base.
Are there remote security researcher jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most technical fields, because security research is largely analytical and can be conducted without a fixed physical environment. About 17% of security researcher openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting strong employer flexibility in this discipline. Roles focused on threat intelligence, malware analysis, and vulnerability research tend to be the most remote-compatible, while positions requiring access to classified systems or specialized lab hardware are typically on-site.
How can I get hired as a security researcher in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving laterally from an adjacent role such as security operations analyst, penetration tester, or software engineer with a security focus. California's major technology employers and defense contractors, including those in the Bay Area and San Diego corridor, regularly hire for associate or junior security engineer positions that evolve into research tracks. Competing actively in capture-the-flag events, contributing vulnerability disclosures through bug bounty programs, and earning an entry-level credential such as Security+ or OSCP give candidates a concrete edge over applicants relying on coursework alone.
Where can I find and apply to security researcher jobs in California?
You can find and apply to security researcher jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across experience levels and specialties. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 17 Security Researcher Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Security Researcher Jobs