Security Specialist Jobs in California
Security Specialist jobs in California are in strong demand, with active hiring concentrated in defense contracting, technology, financial services, and government agencies, and openings ranging from entry-level security analysts through senior roles in threat intelligence and compliance. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Wells Fargo maintain significant California operations. The most sought-after specialties include cybersecurity, physical security management, and information assurance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Company:
Qualcomm Incorporated
Job Area:
Facilities & Security Group, Facilities & Security Group > Security
General Summary:
Handles physical security for buildings and anyone or anything security related to those buildings. Manages contract security guards for those buildings. Is on 24-hour call for any security issues related to those buildings. Works closely with multiple departments/groups at Qualcomm.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Building specialist position:
- Access control provisioning
- Temp badges
- Customer badges
- Employee, temp emp, consultant badges
- Visitor management system
- Video/camera responsibilities
- Case management system
- Key issuance and tracking
- Key management system
- Management of security contract workforce
- Alarm response
- Preliminary security investigations
- Minor lock hardware
- Other security applications
- On 24-hour call
- Backup to other security specialists
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree.
OR
- Associate's degree and 2+ years of Security or related work experience.
OR
- High School Diploma or equivalent and 4+ years of Security or related work experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Science, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or related field.
- 2+ years of Security or related work experience.
EEO Employer:
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$27.08 - $40.62
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
Applicants:
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able to participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies:
Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
See All 31 Security Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Security Specialist JobsSecurity Specialist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Security Specialist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Target10

- Datadog2

- Applied Materials1

- Cohesity1

- Control Risks1

Top Industries Hiring
- Retail11
- Technology & Software9
- Consulting & Professional Services2
- Cybersecurity2
- Artificial Intelligence1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in security specialist jobs across California.
- Active California BSIS (Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) Guard Card or relevant BSIS registration
- Associate or bachelor's degree in criminal justice, cybersecurity, or a related field
- Relevant certification such as CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CPP (Certified Protection Professional)
- Demonstrated experience conducting risk assessments, incident response, or security investigations
- Familiarity with California workplace safety regulations and security compliance requirements
- Strong written communication skills for producing security reports, logs, and documentation
Security Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a security specialist in California?
The most direct path is obtaining the appropriate registration from the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, which oversees security personnel licensing in the state. Physical and proprietary security roles typically require a BSIS Guard Card, while management-level positions often call for a BSIS Qualified Manager certificate. Cybersecurity-focused roles generally require a degree in information technology or a related field, plus industry certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or CISSP, without a BSIS credential.
How much do security specialists make in California?
Security specialists in California earn a median of about $87,570 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $46,410 for the lowest 10% to over $169,160 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire security specialists in California?
Employers hiring security specialists in California right now include Target, Datadog, and Applied Materials, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, major financial institutions, and large technology campuses means demand for both physical and cybersecurity specialists remains steady across the state.
Which California cities have the most security specialist jobs?
The cities with the most security specialist openings in California are San Francisco, Culver City, and Livermore. This distribution reflects Los Angeles's dense mix of entertainment, finance, and government facilities, San Diego's large defense and military contractor presence, and the Bay Area's concentration of technology companies requiring cybersecurity and information assurance professionals.
Are there remote security specialist jobs in California?
Yes, but they are limited, since a significant portion of security specialist work is hands-on and site-specific. About 13% of security specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions are concentrated in cybersecurity, threat analysis, and compliance roles rather than physical security or facilities-based positions.
How can I get hired as a security specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is obtaining a BSIS Guard Card and applying for security officer or security associate roles at large California employers such as Allied Universal, Securitas, or major hospital systems and university campuses. These organizations regularly hire candidates without prior experience and promote into specialist roles internally. Pairing your Guard Card with a CompTIA Security+ certification strengthens your candidacy for roles that bridge physical and information security responsibilities.
Where can I find and apply to security specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to security specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and metro areas. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 31 Security Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Security Specialist Jobs