Security Engineer, Level 5, Detection & Response

Socket.dev; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 209,000 - 313,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

Comprehensive medical coverage

Mental health support

Job summary

Snap Inc. is seeking a Senior Security Engineer to join the Detection and Response team in Santa Monica.

You will design, pilot, and implement logging and alerting systems to detect malicious activity across endpoints, infrastructure, networks, and cloud environments, while building automation to improve threat hunting and incident response. The role requires strong Python/Go skills, deep OS and cloud platform knowledge (GCP/AWS), and experience with digital forensics, malware analysis, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related technical field.
• 6+ years of post‑Bachelor’s security experience or 5+ with a Master’s or 2+ with a PhD.
• Experience in detection, response, and threat intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Design, pilot, and implement logging and alerting systems to detect malicious activity on endpoints, infrastructure, networks, and cloud environments.
• Build tools and automation to improve threat hunting and incident response.
• Investigate events from the alerting pipeline and triage potential incidents.
• Use AI tools to design scalable services while ensuring security and production-grade quality code.
• Collaborate with multiple teams during incidents and drive response efforts.
• Identify, fingerprint, and build threat intelligence on TTPs of adversaries including APTs and cybercrime.

Skills

Python

Go

Digital forensics

Malware analysis

Threat intelligence

Incident management

Cloud security

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems

Master’s degree in a technical field

PhD in a relevant technical field

Tools

Google Cloud Platform

Amazon Web Services

Kubernetes

Job description

Snap Inc is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.

The Company operates Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world, and Specs Inc., a wholly‑owned subsidiary dedicated to making computing more human, in addition to Bitmoji, Saturn, and other digital services.

Snap Security teams protect the trust and safety of our global community by securing the systems and data that power Snapchat. We safeguard hundreds of millions of Snapchatters every day, ensuring that every product and service is built on a foundation of security and resilience. Our values guide everything we do - from how we anticipate and mitigate threats to how we collaborate across Snap. We move fast, with precision, and always execute with privacy at the forefront.

We’re looking for a Senior Security Engineer to join our Detection and Response (D&R) team!

What you’ll do:

• Design, pilot, and implement logging and alerting systems to detect malicious activity on Snap Inc.'s endpoints, infrastructure, networks, and cloud environments

• Build tools and devise automation strategies to improve Snap Inc.’s ability to hunt threats and respond to intrusions

• Investigate events generated by the alerting pipeline and triage potential incidents

• Utilize AI tools and high velocity engineering workflows to design and ship scalable services while upholding rigorous standards for code correctness, security, and production ready quality code.

• Work closely with multiple Snap Inc. teams during incidents and drive response efforts

• Identify, analyze, fingerprint and build threat intelligence on trends and developments in adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for sophisticated threat actors spanning APTs and cybercrime.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proven experience in one or more of the following detection and response areas: digital forensics, malware analysis, incident management, host/network intrusion detection, threat intelligence

• Proficiency in, or a strong aptitude for, leveraging AI tools to streamline development, paired with the critical judgment to audit generated output for architectural integrity, performance bottlenecks, and security risks.

• Adaptability in learning and applying evolving AI systems and tools to remain at the forefront of engineering trends and modern development practices.

• Strong development skills in Python and/or Go

• Advanced knowledge of operating system internals, and a core competency in two or more of the following: macOS, Windows, Linux, Kubernetes, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent years of experience in a related technical field

• 6+ years of post-Bachelor’s security related experience; or Master’s degree in a technical field + 5+ year of post-grad security related experience; or PhD in a relevant technical field + 2+ years of post-grad security related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge in threat hunting and developing logic to automate threat detection and incident response

• Familiarity with cloud‑based services and infrastructure (Google Cloud, Workspace, AWS, etc.)

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with high attention to detail

• Practical experience in a BeyondCorp model

• Work record of collaborating with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of a company

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please don’t be shy and provide us some information.

“Default Together” Policy at Snap: At Snap Inc. we believe that being together in person helps us build our culture faster, reinforce our values, and serve our community, customers and partners better through dynamic collaboration. To reflect this, we practice a “default together” approach and expect our team members to work in an office 4+ days per week.

At Snap, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to create innovative products that improve the way people live and communicate. Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. EOE, including disability/vets.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law (by example, the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, where applicable).

Our Benefits: Snap Inc. is its own community, so we’ve got your back! We do our best to make sure you and your loved ones have everything you need to be happy and healthy, on your own terms. Our benefits are built around your needs and include paid parental leave, comprehensive medical coverage, emotional and mental health support programs, and compensation packages that let you share in Snap’s long‑term success!

Compensation

In the United States, work locations are assigned a pay zone which determines the salary range for the position. The successful candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on job‑related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. The starting pay may be negotiable within the salary range for the position. These pay zones may be modified in the future.

Zone A (CA, WA, NYC):

The base salary range for this position is $209,000-$313,000 annually.

Zone B:

The base salary range for this position is $199,000-$297,000 annually.

Zone C:

The base salary range for this position is $178,000-$266,000 annually. This position is eligible for equity in the form of RSUs.