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.

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Overview

Open roles186+
Top employerPalo Alto Networks
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring20
Work type74% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 186+ Security Software Engineer jobs

Apple
Security Software Engineer
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Apple
Added 1w ago
Security Software Engineer
Apple
Cupertino, California
Software Engineering
Cybersecurity
Cloud & DevOps
Security Engineering
Backend Engineering
$127k - $221k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Roblox
Principal Security Software Engineer
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Roblox
Added 1w ago
Principal Security Software Engineer
Roblox
San Mateo, California
Software Engineering
Cybersecurity
Cloud & DevOps
Security Engineering
DevOps
Backend Engineering
$385k - $443k/yr
Hybrid
None
1,001-5,000

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TikTok
Security Software Engineer Project Intern
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TikTok
Added 2w ago
Security Software Engineer Project Intern
TikTok
San Jose, California
Cybersecurity
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Security Engineering
Backend Engineering
$45 - $60/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Pinterest
Sr. Security Software Engineer
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Pinterest
Added 2w ago
Sr. Security Software Engineer
Pinterest
San Francisco, California
Cybersecurity
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Security Engineering
Cybersecurity Operations
Automation QA
Backend Engineering
$156k - $320k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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ByteDance
Security Software Engineer
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ByteDance
Added 1mo ago
Security Software Engineer
ByteDance
San Jose, California
Software Engineering
Cybersecurity
Cloud & DevOps
Security Engineering
Backend Engineering
$213k - $450k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 186+ Security Software Engineer Jobs in California

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

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Security Software Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
59 jobs
San Jose
21 jobs
Santa Clara
21 jobs
Sunnyvale
16 jobs
San Mateo
13 jobs
Cupertino
10 jobs
Palo Alto
9 jobs
Mountain View
8 jobs
San Diego
7 jobs

Security Software Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Palo Alto Networks
    Palo Alto Networks17
  • Apple
    Apple12
  • ByteDance
    ByteDance11
  • Roblox
    Roblox6
  • Anthropic
    Anthropic5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software106
  • Electronics & Hardware22
  • Science & Research13
  • Agriculture & Farming11
  • Artificial Intelligence7

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 Palo Alto Networks, Apple, and ByteDance, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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, San Jose, and Santa Clara 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 26% of security software engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 186+ Security Software Engineer Jobs in California

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

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