Threat Investigator

EngineersOfAI; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 148,500; Full time

Job summary

Discord is seeking a Threat Investigator to lead investigations into violent extremist networks and threat actors. You will work across policy, engineering, and ML/AI teams to develop detection and disruption strategies, document trends, and prioritize threats using investigative signals.

The role requires deep expertise in threat ecosystems, strong communication, and the ability to work across time zones with external partners.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in threat intelligence, investigations, or incident management.
• Deep expertise in at least one extremist or violent threat actor ecosystem.
• Ability to define scope, propose solutions, and drive projects to completion in ambiguous environments.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools and machine learning tooling to support investigations.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex investigations into violent extremist and threat actor networks.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with policy, engineering, and ML/AI teams.
• Document behavioral trends and identify scalable mitigation strategies.
• Inform threat prioritization decisions using investigative signals.
• Identify novel harms and gaps in detection, policy, and enforcement.
• Support improvements to operational readiness through collaboration.

Skills

Threat intel

Investigations

Data analysis

Policy coordination

Cross-functional teamwork

Communication

Tools

Case management systems

ML tooling

Job description

Discord has a highly engaged community of millions of daily active users who use the platform for many different reasons, but there’s one thing that nearly everyone does: play video games. Discord plays a uniquely important role in the future of gaming, and we are focused on making it easier and more fun for people to hang out before, during, and after playing games.

Discord's mission is to give people the power to create space to find belonging in their lives, and every day millions of people trust Discord to be a place where they can talk, hang out, and build community. Keeping that space safe starts with teams like ours.

Discord's Violent Actors Team, part of the broader Threat Operations org within Trust & Safety, focuses on identifying and disrupting violent and extremist networks and threat actors. As a Threat Investigator, you'll lead investigations into these communities, identify novel detection mechanisms, and develop enforcement strategies to stay ahead of ongoing and emerging threats.

A typical day might include conducting deep-dive network investigations, compiling high-value signals to fuel proactive detection, or collaborating with internal and external partners on incident response. This role requires the ability to flex across a range of harm portfolios as team priorities evolve. This person will report to the team's Senior Manager.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading complex investigations into violent extremist and threat actor networks, developing and iterating on detection and disruption strategies across your investigative portfolio
• Executing on roadmap projects, including cross-functional coordination with policy, engineering, and ML/AI teams, documentation of behavioral trends, and identification of scalable mitigation strategies
• Leveraging investigative signals and subject matter expertise to inform threat prioritization decisions
• Identifying emergence of novel harm behaviors, and gaps in Discord's detection, policy, and enforcement capabilities
• Partnering with team program managers to develop and prioritize improvements to operational readiness
• Serving as a subject matter resource for teammates, leadership, and cross-functional partners

What you should have

• 5+ years of experience in threat intelligence, investigations, or incident management, with a track record of leading complex, multi-stakeholder cases independently
• Deep expertise in at least one extremist or violent threat actor ecosystem, with the analytical flexibility to develop proficiency across new harm verticals as priorities shift
• Demonstrated ability to define scope, propose solutions, and drive projects to completion in ambiguous, high-change environments with minimal oversight
• Proficiency with data analysis tools, case management systems, and machine learning tooling to support network investigations and detection work
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex, sensitive topics for non-expert audiences, and experience producing cross-functional product requests, intelligence products, and engaging with law enforcement, government, or external partners
• Collaborative approach to cross-functional work, with the ability to build consensus and coordinate across teams and time zones

Bonus points

• Additional language proficiency, particularly in languages relevant to high-harm threat actor communities
• Experience translating investigative findings into clear, actionable insights for non-expert or executive audiences

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $132,000 to $148,500 + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include equity, or benefits.

Why Discord?

Discord plays a uniquely important role in the future of gaming. We're a multiplatform, multigenerational and multiplayer platform that helps people de