Systems Security Engineer Jobs in California
Systems Security Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense contracting, aerospace, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise technology across experience levels from entry-level analysts through senior architects. The largest hiring markets are the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Google maintain major operations. The most in-demand specializations include cloud security architecture, zero-trust network design, and security operations center engineering. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 72+ Systems Security Engineer jobs
Standard Job Description
Top Secret security clearance is required prior to start.
Lockheed Martin is seeking a Computer Systems Security Analyst to perform COMSEC custodian responsibilities in support of critical program needs. This role ensures the protection of classified information in support of National Security programs as well as enables reliable and trusted communications over commercial networks.
Responsibilities include:
- Safeguarding and accounting for classified and unclassified COMSEC Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCIs)
- Disseminate, inventory, and destroy COMSEC keying material
- Maintain COMSEC records
- Perform courier duties, and comply with all NSA and Customer specific required security procedures
Additionally, you will:
- Maintain 100% accountability of all COMSEC/Cryptographic material and required account documentation IAW with NSA COR and customer-driven COMSEC requirements
- Provide COMSEC support specific to program needs
- Analyze/review COMSEC Encryption device audits for user compliance and document results
- Enter and extract data from DIAS system for incoming and outgoing transactions for both physical and electronic COMSEC/Crypto material
- Perform wrapping and marking of outgoing packages per NSA and Customer policy
- Perform destruction of key material and documents in authorized COMSEC channels
- Perform receipt, transfer, safeguarding, user training, and destruction activities
- Order keying material, receive, in-process, and issue key material
- IAW NSA and Customer policy conduct semi-annual inventories of accountable COMSEC/ Cryptographic Material and account documents
- Use and maintain common fill devices ( SKL's). Familiar with the configuration, loading, and maintenance of CCI equipment
Designs, tests, and implements state-of-the-art secure operating systems, networks, and database products. Conducts risk assessment and provides recommendations for application design. Involved in a wide range of security issues including architectures, firewalls, electronic data traffic, and network access. Uses encryption technology, penetration and vulnerability analysis of various security technologies, and information technology security research. May prepare security reports to regulatory agencies. For engineers providing security information assurance, use Info Assurance Engineer (E254, L254). For information security professionals providing security risk and analysis, use Info Systems Security Risk and Analysis (E937, L937).
Basic Qualifications
- Top Secret security clearance prior to start.
- DoD 8140.03 IAT Level II certification or must obtain certification within 6 months of being hired.
- Must be able to complete the NSA COMSEC course within 6 months of being hired.
- KMI (KOAM) certification from Air Force or NSA requried.
- Prior COMSEC experience.
Desired Skills
- Familiar with the application of the National Security Agency (NSA) 3-16 COMSEC directives, CNSSI manuals 4001, 4003, 4004.1, 4005, DAFMAN 17-1302-O or equivalent.
- Ability to apply knowledge of government security requirements in a complex multi-level secure environment to ensure program compliance in non-routine situations.
- Knowledge of cleared contractor operations: computer, physical, technical and personnel security requirements.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $88100.00 - $163700.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
Standard Job Description
Top Secret security clearance is required prior to start.
Lockheed Martin is seeking a Computer Systems Security Analyst to perform COMSEC custodian responsibilities in support of critical program needs. This role ensures the protection of classified information in support of National Security programs as well as enables reliable and trusted communications over commercial networks.
Responsibilities include:
- Safeguarding and accounting for classified and unclassified COMSEC Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCIs)
- Disseminate, inventory, and destroy COMSEC keying material
- Maintain COMSEC records
- Perform courier duties, and comply with all NSA and Customer specific required security procedures
Additionally, you will:
- Maintain 100% accountability of all COMSEC/Cryptographic material and required account documentation IAW with NSA COR and customer-driven COMSEC requirements
- Provide COMSEC support specific to program needs
- Analyze/review COMSEC Encryption device audits for user compliance and document results
- Enter and extract data from DIAS system for incoming and outgoing transactions for both physical and electronic COMSEC/Crypto material
- Perform wrapping and marking of outgoing packages per NSA and Customer policy
- Perform destruction of key material and documents in authorized COMSEC channels
- Perform receipt, transfer, safeguarding, user training, and destruction activities
- Order keying material, receive, in-process, and issue key material
- IAW NSA and Customer policy conduct semi-annual inventories of accountable COMSEC/ Cryptographic Material and account documents
- Use and maintain common fill devices ( SKL's). Familiar with the configuration, loading, and maintenance of CCI equipment
Designs, tests, and implements state-of-the-art secure operating systems, networks, and database products. Conducts risk assessment and provides recommendations for application design. Involved in a wide range of security issues including architectures, firewalls, electronic data traffic, and network access. Uses encryption technology, penetration and vulnerability analysis of various security technologies, and information technology security research. May prepare security reports to regulatory agencies. For engineers providing security information assurance, use Info Assurance Engineer (E254, L254). For information security professionals providing security risk and analysis, use Info Systems Security Risk and Analysis (E937, L937).
Basic Qualifications
- Top Secret security clearance prior to start.
- DoD 8140.03 IAT Level II certification or must obtain certification within 6 months of being hired.
- Must be able to complete the NSA COMSEC course within 6 months of being hired.
- KMI (KOAM) certification from Air Force or NSA requried.
- Prior COMSEC experience.
Desired Skills
- Familiar with the application of the National Security Agency (NSA) 3-16 COMSEC directives, CNSSI manuals 4001, 4003, 4004.1, 4005, DAFMAN 17-1302-O or equivalent.
- Ability to apply knowledge of government security requirements in a complex multi-level secure environment to ensure program compliance in non-routine situations.
- Knowledge of cleared contractor operations: computer, physical, technical and personnel security requirements.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $88100.00 - $163700.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
See All 72 Systems Security Engineer Jobs in California
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Find JobsSystems Security Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Systems Security Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Manufacturing
- Science & Research
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Technology & Software
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in systems security engineer jobs across California.
- Active DoD security clearance or eligibility required for most California defense and government roles
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or a closely related engineering discipline
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or equivalent certification strongly preferred
- Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability management tools
- Proficiency with cloud security frameworks across AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud environments
- Familiarity with NIST, CMMC, and FedRAMP compliance frameworks applied in regulated California industries
Systems Security Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a systems security engineer in California?
Most systems security engineer roles in California require a bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or electrical engineering, followed by certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CompTIA Security+. California has no state-issued license for this role, but defense and government contractors require a federal security clearance. Starting in a network administrator, IT analyst, or security operations center role at a California tech firm or defense contractor is the most common path into the specialty.
How much do systems security engineers make in California?
Systems security engineers in California earn a median of about $134,440 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $58,340 for the lowest 10% to over $222,690 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire systems security engineers in California?
Employers hiring systems security engineers in California right now include Siemens, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of defense primes, hyperscale cloud providers, and regulated financial institutions means consistent demand across both cleared and commercial sectors.
Which California cities have the most systems security engineer jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most systems security engineer openings in California. The Bay Area leads due to its dense cluster of cloud providers, semiconductor firms, and enterprise tech headquarters, while San Diego's volume is driven by the large Navy and defense contractor presence, and Los Angeles draws demand from aerospace, entertainment technology, and financial services employers.
Are there remote systems security engineer jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most engineering fields, since much of the work involves monitoring systems, reviewing code, and managing cloud infrastructure that can be accessed from anywhere. About 32% of systems security engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though roles requiring a security clearance or on-site lab access are almost always in-person. Governance, risk, and compliance-focused positions tend to be the most remote-friendly.
How can I get hired as a systems security engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a security operations center analyst role, which California defense contractors and large tech employers use as a pipeline for engineers without specialized experience. Northrop Grumman, SAIC, and major Bay Area cloud companies run associate and rotational programs for candidates from adjacent roles like network administrator or IT support. Earning a CompTIA Security+ or pursuing a California community college cybersecurity certificate strengthens an entry-level application considerably, and a portfolio of lab projects or a home network security setup can substitute for professional experience.
Where can I find and apply to systems security engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to systems security engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search for roles by city or specialization, find the ones that fit your background, and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 72 Systems Security Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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