Senior Network Security Engineer Jobs in California
Senior Network Security Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in enterprise technology, defense contracting, financial services, and cloud infrastructure across the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Established employers such as Cisco, Lockheed Martin, and Bank of America maintain deep engineering teams in California and recruit consistently for senior-level talent. The most in-demand specialties include zero-trust architecture, cloud security engineering, and threat detection and response. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
SR. NETWORK SECURITY ENGINEER
SpaceX is looking for a Sr. Network Security Engineer to design, implement, and operate security for SpaceX corporate and enterprise networks. This is hands-on network security work: designing and implementing segmentation, routing, and access controls; operating firewalls and related platforms such as Palo Alto, Check Point, Juniper, and Arista; and turning operational requirements into architectures that hold up in production. The ideal candidate will be flexible, excel at multi-tasking, and flourish in a fast-paced and challenging environment. This person should be a self-starter, self-motivator, and possess the ingenuity to excel in this position.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, implement, and support network security for corporate and enterprise environments.
- Configure and maintain network security controls, policies, and architectures based on operational requirements.
- Provide subject matter expertise on network security, firewalls, and industry best practices.
- Analyze operational needs that present security challenges and develop secure network solutions.
- Implement and maintain network segmentation, routing, and access controls.
- Partner with other SpaceX teams to determine functional needs, develop secure architectures, and communicate security best practices and policies.
- Serve as an escalation point for network security issues.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 5+ years of network security experience; OR 8+ years of network security experience in lieu of a degree.
- 3+ years of experience securing networks, IT infrastructure, applications, endpoints, and/or APIs.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Experience with network security technologies, including their operation and limitations.
- Firewalls (Palo Alto, Check Point, Juniper, and Arista).
- Experience designing and configuring eBGP fabrics, including large multi-path networks built from scratch.
- Switch/router ACLs.
- Network access control solutions.
- IPsec and TLS-based VPNs.
- Web application firewalls.
- Email security.
- Logging and alerting with SIEMs.
- Familiarity with networking protocols and the OSI model.
- Experience testing and implementing changes in a production environment.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- This role requires you to be onsite. Hybrid or remote work will not be considered.
- Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 3: $165,000.00 - $280,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Network Security Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
- Automotive
- Law & Legal Services
- Technology & Software
- Banking & Financial Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior network security engineer jobs across California.
- Seven or more years of experience in network security engineering or a closely related discipline
- Active CISSP, CCIE Security, or equivalent professional security certification required by most employers
- Deep hands-on experience with firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM platforms, and VPN technologies
- Demonstrated expertise in cloud security across AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud environments
- Experience designing and implementing zero-trust network access frameworks at enterprise scale
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or a directly related technical field
Senior Network Security Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior network security engineer in California?
The path typically starts with a bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field, followed by several years in network engineering or information security roles. California does not require a state-issued license for this role, but employers consistently prioritize candidates who hold recognized industry certifications such as CISSP, CCIE Security, or CompTIA Security+. Building hands-on experience with enterprise firewalls, cloud platforms, and security operations centers strengthens a candidacy significantly in California's competitive market.
How much do senior network security engineers make in California?
Senior network security engineers in California earn a median of about $138,570 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $66,070 for the lowest 10% to over $221,000 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire senior network security engineers in California?
Employers hiring senior network security engineers in California right now include Apple, Palo Alto Networks, and Zoox, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, major cloud providers, and large financial institutions means demand is spread across both the Bay Area and Southern California, with a consistent need for senior-level expertise in enterprise and classified environments.
Which California cities have the most senior network security engineer jobs?
Santa Clara, San Jose, and Sunnyvale have the most senior network security engineer openings in California. The Bay Area's density of technology headquarters and cloud infrastructure companies drives the largest share of postings, while Los Angeles and San Diego reflect demand from defense contractors, entertainment studios, and the region's growing cybersecurity services sector.
Are there remote senior network security engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many technical roles, though on-site work remains common for positions tied to classified environments or critical infrastructure. About 64% of senior network security engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the role's desk-based and analytical components. Security architecture, threat analysis, and cloud security work are the sub-areas most commonly offered with remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a senior network security engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving through a junior network engineer or SOC analyst role first, then building toward the senior level over several years. Large California technology companies and defense contractors such as Northrop Grumman, Intel, and Palo Alto Networks run early-career and associate programs that accept candidates without senior-level backgrounds. Earning a recognized certification like CompTIA Security+ or Cisco's CCNA Security before applying gives candidates a measurable edge in California's screening process.
Where can I find and apply to senior network security engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior network security engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly.
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