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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Showing 5 of 147+ Security Software Engineer jobs
Who we are
Atoms is building the machines that power the next era of progress.
Over the last decade, software has transformed the digital world. But the physical world, where food is made, minerals are mined, goods are moved, and industries are run, remains far less intelligent, far less efficient, and far more constrained. We're changing that.
Atoms builds Physical AI— real-world robots for the industries that move civilization forward, starting with food, mining, and transport. Our systems are designed to understand, predict, and control the real world with precision, turning complex physical operations into something more reliable, more scalable, and more productive.
This work requires more than robotics. It requires deep integration across hardware, software, AI, operations, manufacturing, and real estate. We don't just build machines in a lab. We deploy them into real environments, operate them, learn from them, and improve them until they work at scale.
We are roboticists, engineers, operators, and builders. We believe the next great technology companies will not only transform information, but the physical systems that shape everyday life.
If you want to work on hard problems with real-world impact, join us.
What you'll do
As a Senior Software Engineer focused on Cloud & Platform Security, you'll work directly with our Infrastructure team to secure the systems that manage and control our fleet. Rather than duplicating the team's existing cloud and Kubernetes ownership, you'll bring deep security expertise across identity, secrets, network segmentation, and the fleet-management and remote-vehicle-control APIs that represent some of the highest-impact systems in our environment.
- Design and enforce least-privilege access across cloud environments, with a focus on service identities and other non-human access.
- Strengthen secrets and credential management using Vault, cloud KMS, or equivalent systems.
- Threat model and review fleet telemetry, dispatch, and remote-vehicle-control APIs, including authentication, authorization, rate limiting, and replay protection.
- Design and improve network segmentation to isolate fleet-management, dispatch, and remote-control systems from corporate and consumer-facing environments.
- Partner with Infrastructure engineers during architecture and design reviews to identify security requirements before services reach production.
- Review and improve Kubernetes security controls, including RBAC, network policies, and pod security standards, while partnering with the Infrastructure team that owns the platform.
What we're looking for
We're looking for a hands-on security engineer who can work as an embedded partner to an experienced Infrastructure team. You should be comfortable going deep on cloud and platform security, influencing technical decisions, and helping engineers build secure systems without operating as a gatekeeper..
Basic qualifications
- 3+ years of experience in cloud, infrastructure, or platform security.
- Hands-on experience working with production Kubernetes environments.
- Strong understanding of API security, including OAuth/OIDC, mTLS, authentication, and authorization design.
- Experience designing or reviewing both coarse-grained and fine-grained authorization models.
- Experience with secrets-management systems such as HashiCorp Vault, cloud KMS, or equivalent technologies.
- Experience managing or securing non-human identities and service-to-service access.
- Strong understanding of network segmentation and access boundaries in cloud environments.
- Demonstrated ability to work closely with infrastructure and software engineering teams and influence security decisions through collaboration.
Nice to have
- Experience securing real-time or low-latency control-plane systems.
- Familiarity with service mesh security and workload-to-workload mTLS using Istio or similar technologies.
Why join us
At Atoms, you'll work on one of the defining challenges of our time—bringing automation into the physical world to drive real, lasting impact. We exist to uncover valuable unknown truths and turn them into progress, which means constantly pushing beyond what's known and building what doesn't yet exist. The work is ambitious and often challenging, but it's grounded in a shared sense of purpose and a team committed to seeing it through together. Our work only matters if it serves others, and we know that meaningful progress depends on the trust of the people we serve and the strength of our team—so we invest in both, creating an environment where you can do your best work and grow.
What else you need to know
This role is based in our San Francisco office. Atoms is a company driven by invention and continuous change - we are constantly reimagining our industries, building new products, and refining how we operate. We do our best work together. That's why all of our office-based teams work onsite, five days a week.
The base salary range for this role is $167,000 - $230,000 per year.
Actual compensation will be determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for equity awards and an annual performance-based bonus.
Benefits Summary (USA Full-Time Exempt Employees):
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans, incl. HSA options).
- Company-paid life and disability insurance (short- and long-term).
- Voluntary insurance: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity.
- Optional supplemental life insurance for self, spouse, and children.
- Pet insurance discount.
- 401(k).
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
- Time Off policies:
- Discretionary vacation days
- 8 paid holidays per year
- Paid sick time
- Paid Bereavement leave
- Paid Parental Leave
Benefits are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Atoms accepts applications on an ongoing basis.
Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others?
#LI-Onsite
Who we are
Atoms is building the machines that power the next era of progress.
Over the last decade, software has transformed the digital world. But the physical world, where food is made, minerals are mined, goods are moved, and industries are run, remains far less intelligent, far less efficient, and far more constrained. We're changing that.
Atoms builds Physical AI— real-world robots for the industries that move civilization forward, starting with food, mining, and transport. Our systems are designed to understand, predict, and control the real world with precision, turning complex physical operations into something more reliable, more scalable, and more productive.
This work requires more than robotics. It requires deep integration across hardware, software, AI, operations, manufacturing, and real estate. We don't just build machines in a lab. We deploy them into real environments, operate them, learn from them, and improve them until they work at scale.
We are roboticists, engineers, operators, and builders. We believe the next great technology companies will not only transform information, but the physical systems that shape everyday life.
If you want to work on hard problems with real-world impact, join us.
What you'll do
As a Senior Software Engineer focused on Cloud & Platform Security, you'll work directly with our Infrastructure team to secure the systems that manage and control our fleet. Rather than duplicating the team's existing cloud and Kubernetes ownership, you'll bring deep security expertise across identity, secrets, network segmentation, and the fleet-management and remote-vehicle-control APIs that represent some of the highest-impact systems in our environment.
- Design and enforce least-privilege access across cloud environments, with a focus on service identities and other non-human access.
- Strengthen secrets and credential management using Vault, cloud KMS, or equivalent systems.
- Threat model and review fleet telemetry, dispatch, and remote-vehicle-control APIs, including authentication, authorization, rate limiting, and replay protection.
- Design and improve network segmentation to isolate fleet-management, dispatch, and remote-control systems from corporate and consumer-facing environments.
- Partner with Infrastructure engineers during architecture and design reviews to identify security requirements before services reach production.
- Review and improve Kubernetes security controls, including RBAC, network policies, and pod security standards, while partnering with the Infrastructure team that owns the platform.
What we're looking for
We're looking for a hands-on security engineer who can work as an embedded partner to an experienced Infrastructure team. You should be comfortable going deep on cloud and platform security, influencing technical decisions, and helping engineers build secure systems without operating as a gatekeeper..
Basic qualifications
- 3+ years of experience in cloud, infrastructure, or platform security.
- Hands-on experience working with production Kubernetes environments.
- Strong understanding of API security, including OAuth/OIDC, mTLS, authentication, and authorization design.
- Experience designing or reviewing both coarse-grained and fine-grained authorization models.
- Experience with secrets-management systems such as HashiCorp Vault, cloud KMS, or equivalent technologies.
- Experience managing or securing non-human identities and service-to-service access.
- Strong understanding of network segmentation and access boundaries in cloud environments.
- Demonstrated ability to work closely with infrastructure and software engineering teams and influence security decisions through collaboration.
Nice to have
- Experience securing real-time or low-latency control-plane systems.
- Familiarity with service mesh security and workload-to-workload mTLS using Istio or similar technologies.
Why join us
At Atoms, you'll work on one of the defining challenges of our time—bringing automation into the physical world to drive real, lasting impact. We exist to uncover valuable unknown truths and turn them into progress, which means constantly pushing beyond what's known and building what doesn't yet exist. The work is ambitious and often challenging, but it's grounded in a shared sense of purpose and a team committed to seeing it through together. Our work only matters if it serves others, and we know that meaningful progress depends on the trust of the people we serve and the strength of our team—so we invest in both, creating an environment where you can do your best work and grow.
What else you need to know
This role is based in our San Francisco office. Atoms is a company driven by invention and continuous change - we are constantly reimagining our industries, building new products, and refining how we operate. We do our best work together. That's why all of our office-based teams work onsite, five days a week.
The base salary range for this role is $167,000 - $230,000 per year.
Actual compensation will be determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for equity awards and an annual performance-based bonus.
Benefits Summary (USA Full-Time Exempt Employees):
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans, incl. HSA options).
- Company-paid life and disability insurance (short- and long-term).
- Voluntary insurance: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity.
- Optional supplemental life insurance for self, spouse, and children.
- Pet insurance discount.
- 401(k).
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
- Time Off policies:
- Discretionary vacation days
- 8 paid holidays per year
- Paid sick time
- Paid Bereavement leave
- Paid Parental Leave
Benefits are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Atoms accepts applications on an ongoing basis.
Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others?
#LI-Onsite
See All 147+ 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
- Apple13
- Roblox11
- Google8
- TikTok7
- SpaceX6
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software20
- Science & Research3
- Aerospace & Defense2
- Electronics & Hardware2
- 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 Apple, Roblox, and Google, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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 Sunnyvale 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 63% of security software engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 147+ 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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