Security Software Engineer Jobs in California
Security Software Engineer jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, defense contracting, and enterprise software across seniority levels from entry-level associate engineer through principal and staff. The largest hiring hubs are the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where anchors like Google, Northrop Grumman, and Palo Alto Networks maintain significant engineering presence. The most in-demand specialties in California listings include cloud security, application security, and zero-trust architecture. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 130+ Security Software Engineer jobs











Embedded within Apple’s Security Engineering & Architecture organization, the Secure Transports team’s mission is to deliver world-class cryptographic and secure protocols engineering. At the heart of an organization dedicated to building the most secure operating system in the world and putting it in the hands of millions of customers, the team is looking for a motivated software engineer to help push its technologies to the next level.
You will join a team that provides the security foundations for data in motion across all of Apple’s innovative products, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePod, and Vision Pro. You will contribute to the entire system, from the kernel up through libraries, frameworks, and applications. As an engineer, you will have the opportunity to majorly impact the design and implementation of Apple’s embedded and desktop operating system products, collaborating closely with all other security partners, ranging from our Silicon Engineering group to our Cloud Services group. Designing and developing software for hundreds of millions of users. People who LOVE the products you make. Working for a company whose dedication to user privacy is at the heart of everything it does. Being surrounded by the most creative, passionate, talented engineers in the industry. Constantly being challenged to go beyond the norm to find new, innovative ways of solving problems and to make software safer, easier, and more fun to use. Not many jobs can offer all of these things. Software Engineering jobs at Apple do, and much more.
Description
Successful candidates will be generalists capable of tackling challenging wide-ranging engineering problems anywhere in the software stack, determining the appropriate compromise between several often competing factors such as ease of use, performance, and of course security. Our environment fosters product innovation, rapid product iteration, and a liberating amount of autonomy in which you will be encouraged to create and quickly bring to market new security methods and technologies to address the complex needs of mobile and distributed computing. The position also has a strong multi-functional aspect that will require you to interact with and influence many people from several organizations within and outside the company.","responsibilities":"Help define the security properties and architecture for the next-generation operating system
Design and implement new techniques to protect users' privacy during web browsing, secure messaging sessions, and cloud-based AI requests
Investigate and implement the next evolution in transparency protocols
Work cooperatively with other parts of Apple on multi-functional technologies and initiatives to improve security
Promote and drive the adoption of these technologies across the organization
Preferred Qualifications
A genuine passion for creating effective and pragmatic transport security
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field
Experience with transparency technologies, such as certificate transparency
Strong understanding of recent developments and concerns with standard protocols such as TLS
Strong understanding of C, Objective-C, or Swift
Industry exposure to and knowledge of OS security and applied cryptography
Excellent teamwork and communication skills. Working multi-functionally with other software, hardware, marketing, and support teams to provide the best security solutions for Apple’s products.
Minimum Qualifications
5 years of professional software engineering experience
Experience in systems or OS development
Pay & Benefits
This posting is not for a specific job opening and by submitting your resume you are expressing interest in being contacted about this type of role at Apple in the future.
See All 130+ Security Software Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSecurity Software Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Security Software Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Google14

- Roblox8

- Palo Alto Networks8

- TikTok7

- Apple5

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software23
- Science & Research5
- Electronics & Hardware5
- Aerospace & Defense2
- Retail1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in security software engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a closely related engineering field
- Hands-on experience with secure software development lifecycle and threat modeling practices
- Proficiency in at least one compiled or scripting language such as Python, Go, C, or Java
- Familiarity with cloud security frameworks across AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform
- Industry certification such as CISSP, CEH, or OSCP recognized by California defense and enterprise employers
- Experience with penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, or static and dynamic code analysis tools
Security Software Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a security software engineer in California?
Most California security software engineers start with a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or cybersecurity, then build toward industry certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or CompTIA Security+, which California employers in defense, finance, and cloud consistently require. California has no state-issued license specific to this role, so hiring decisions hinge on demonstrated skills, certifications, and portfolio work. Contributing to open-source security projects or completing a cybersecurity bootcamp recognized by California employers can accelerate entry.
How much do security software engineers make in California?
Security software engineers in California earn a median of about $174,410 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $105,060 for the lowest 10% to over $272,670 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire security software engineers in California?
Employers hiring security software engineers in California right now include Google, Roblox, and Palo Alto Networks, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's density of defense contractors, cloud platform companies, and regulated financial institutions means steady demand across both commercial and government-adjacent sectors.
Which California cities have the most security software engineer jobs?
San Francisco, Sunnyvale, and San Jose have the most security software engineer openings in California. The Bay Area dominates due to its concentration of cloud, enterprise software, and cybersecurity-native companies, while San Diego draws heavily from defense contractors and biotech firms requiring embedded or product security engineers, and Los Angeles reflects demand from entertainment technology, fintech, and aerospace.
Are there remote security software engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most engineering disciplines, because security software work is largely code- and tooling-based rather than tied to physical infrastructure. About 53% of security software engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting strong employer flexibility across the state. Application security and cloud security roles tend to be the most remote-accessible, while roles involving classified systems or on-site red team operations require in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a security software engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a junior or associate security engineer role in California, often reached through university new-grad programs at companies like Google, Salesforce, or Palo Alto Networks, or through defense contractor internship pipelines with firms like Northrop Grumman and Leidos that operate large California campuses. Candidates coming from adjacent roles such as software developer, IT systems administrator, or QA engineer can transition by earning a CompTIA Security+ or CEH certification and building a portfolio of security-focused projects. California community colleges and Cal State programs also feed directly into regional employer pipelines.
Where can I find and apply to security software engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to security software engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to each opening.
See All 130+ Security Software Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs