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 roles130+
Top employerGoogle
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring18
Work type47% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 130+ Security Software Engineer jobs

Apple
Senior Security Software Engineer - Secure Transports
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Apple
Added 2d ago
Senior Security Software Engineer - Secure Transports
Apple
Cupertino, California
Cloud Architecture
Cloud Engineering
Cybersecurity
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Snowflake
Software Engineer Intern (Core, Infrastructure & Security) — Spring 2027
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Snowflake
Added 3d ago
Software Engineer Intern (Core, Infrastructure & Security) — Spring 2027
Snowflake
Menlo Park, California
Cloud Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$42 - $60/hr
Remote (US)
5,001-10,000

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Palo Alto Networks
Sr. Principal Software Engineer - Network Security - PanOS Dev
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Palo Alto Networks
Added 3d ago
Sr. Principal Software Engineer - Network Security - PanOS Dev
Palo Alto Networks
Santa Clara, California
Cloud & DevOps
Cloud Engineering
DevOps
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
$184k - $297k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Zscaler
Architect, Software Development (Layer 7 Security & Proxy)
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Zscaler
Added 3d ago
Architect, Software Development (Layer 7 Security & Proxy)
Zscaler
Sunnyvale, California
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
ML (Machine Learning)
$217k - $310k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in information technology
501-1,000

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Amazon.com
Software Dev Engineer, AWS Hardware Security
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Amazon.com
Added 4d ago
Software Dev Engineer, AWS Hardware Security
Amazon.com
Cupertino, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$168k - $227k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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See All 130+ Security Software Engineer Jobs in California

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Security Software Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sunnyvale
20 jobs
San Mateo
9 jobs
Mountain View
6 jobs
Hawthorne
5 jobs
Menlo Park
5 jobs
Irvine
4 jobs

Security Software Engineer Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Google
    Google14
  • Roblox
    Roblox8
  • Palo Alto Networks
    Palo Alto Networks8
  • TikTok
    TikTok7
  • Apple
    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

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