Senior Level Security Software Engineer Jobs
Senior level security software engineer jobs place experienced engineers in charge of security architecture decisions, threat modeling strategy, and the engineering teams or cross-functional projects that carry them forward. Openings are concentrated across Technology & Software, Science & Research, and Agriculture & Farming, with a mix of on-site, remote, and hybrid roles available and employers like Palo Alto Networks, Anthropic, and Apple hiring at this level now.
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The SPEAR team in Apple’s Security Engineering & Architecture organization is hiring a collaborative OS platform software engineering manager with a drive to improve the security of end user devices.
SPEAR is a dedicated team of software engineers who work on security hardening across all of Apple’s operating systems. We operate as a tiger team to do hands-on work deploying security improvements wherever they are most needed. These improvements range from targeted adoptions of memory safety technologies to wholesale refactors that reorient key system components to build security into the core. Our work results in significant improvements to the security of Apple’s apps and services without compromising the polished user experience over a billion users rely on every day.
As an engineering manager in SPEAR, you will lead projects in collaboration with the maintainers of core operating system components to make meaningful and sustainable security improvements. Your team will deliver well-designed, robust, and maintainable software features that meaningfully improve end user security. Your team’s accomplishments will dramatically accelerate progress on improving the security of our users’ devices. As a leader in a growing organization, you will hire and develop talented engineers who will help set the standard for cross-functional collaboration and engineering excellence.
As a result of the collective effort of dedicated engineers like yourself, Apple’s products are the most secure consumer devices on the market. Our mission is to continue to advance the state of the art of end user security. Our goal isn’t simply to be the most secure: we’re working to ensure the safety of every user’s digital life, even against the most malicious and well-resourced adversaries.
Description
As a software engineering manager in SPEAR, you will:
Lead and manage a team of collaborative software engineers improving the security of critical operating system software.
Grow the team by hiring and developing top engineering talent at all experience levels.","responsibilities":"Manage ambitious software security projects through their entire lifecycle, including concept, design, implementation, testing, and integration.
Provide technical oversight of the team’s projects to ensure they are delivering significant and durable improvements to the security and quality of Apple’s operating system software.
Foster a collaborative team culture, leading by example to approach every challenge as an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding and respect through creative problem solving.
Drive continuous improvement within the team, analyzing every project for improvement opportunities and following through to ensure they are implemented.
Partner with other security engineering leaders to develop your team’s roadmap and respond to emerging threats.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelors or Masters in related field
Minimum Qualifications
Experience leading a software team developing operating system services, native SDKs, or native applications
Hands-on experience with software development in a system language such as Swift, Rust, Objective-C, or C++
Deep understanding of software security principles, with a focus on memory safety and mitigations against binary exploitation
Understanding of system-level concepts including multi-threaded design, synchronization, and interprocess communication
Experience building a strong and diverse team, promoting healthy team culture, driving process improvements, and supporting career growth of team members
Proven track record of owning and leading successful delivery of software projects
Enthusiastic, empathetic, and collaborative approach to multi-functional projects
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $198,300 and $342,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
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Who's Hiring
- Palo Alto Networks11
- Anthropic6
- Apple4
- Databricks4
- Raytheon3
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software38
- Science & Research7
- Agriculture & Farming7
- Electronics & Hardware7
- Retail5
Senior Level Security Software Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level security software engineer job?
Employers at this level look for engineers who have moved beyond implementation into ownership, meaning you have led security design reviews, driven remediation priorities, and influenced architecture decisions. Demonstrating experience with threat modeling frameworks, secure SDLC practices, and mentoring junior engineers signals readiness. Concrete examples of systems you have hardened or incidents you have led to resolution carry more weight than certifications alone.
Which companies hire senior level security software engineers?
Companies hiring senior level security software engineers right now include Palo Alto Networks, Anthropic, and Apple, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Hiring at this level covers large technology firms, financial institutions, defense contractors, and healthcare organizations that maintain complex, regulated environments requiring experienced security leadership.
Are there remote senior level security software engineer jobs?
Yes, remote and hybrid work is common at this level, though roles involving classified systems or sensitive infrastructure may require on-site presence. About 36% of senior level security software engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting broad employer acceptance of distributed security teams for candidates with a proven delivery record.
What makes a security software engineer role senior level?
Senior level security software engineer roles are defined by scope and ownership rather than task execution. Engineers at this level set the security direction for products or platforms, make architectural tradeoffs, lead incident response and post-mortems, and mentor mid-level and junior engineers. They are expected to operate with minimal supervision, influence engineering culture around secure coding, and align security work to broader business risk.
Which industries hire the most senior level security software engineers?
Senior Level security software engineer roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Science & Research, and Agriculture & Farming, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. These sectors drive demand because they operate under significant regulatory requirements, manage sensitive customer data at scale, or build products where a security failure carries direct financial or reputational consequences.