Senior Security Engineer, AI Protection
Google · Seattle, WA
- On site
- Full-time
- $252,000 / year
- Seattle, WA
Job highlights
- Lead AI security initiatives at Google Cloud.
- Combat novel Generative AI threats.
- Secure AI products and agents.
- Analyze AI systems for vulnerabilities.
- Mentor engineers and partner with researchers.
About the role
About The Job
Our Security team works to create and maintain the safest operating environment for Google's users and developers. Security Engineers work with network equipment and actively monitor our systems for attacks and intrusions. In this role, you will also work with software engineers to proactively identify and fix security flaws and vulnerabilities.
As the Senior Security Engineer, you will utilize your security engineering expertise to combat novel Generative AI (GenAI) threats and provide technical leadership in cybersecurity, intelligence, and threat analysis. You will lead efforts to secure AI products and agents against sophisticated and novel attacks. You will be building protection and intelligence for Gen AI Application Programming Interface (API) Abuse and Security, ensuring the reliability and security of Cloud and Workspace AI systems. You will mentor the engineers and analysts, partner closely with AI researchers, and drive cross-functional security initiatives that shape the future of secure AI at Google Cloud scale.
Responsibilities
- Drive the direction for Cloud AI security initiatives, architect comprehensive threat models for AI ecosystems, and mentor teams on secure operational practices.
- Identify and analyze novel attack vectors targeting AI agents and underlying Large Language Models (LLMs), including advanced reasoning manipulation, data exfiltration, and model inversion.
- Lead advanced adversarial simulations and assessment of Cloud AI systems, architecting novel testing frameworks to expose multi-stage vulnerabilities.
- Pioneer vulnerability research methodologies and establish continuous discovery programs to systematically expose zero-days and unknown attack vectors across next-generation Cloud AI products.
- Direct the rapid investigation and mitigation of high-severity AI abuse incidents, collaborating across product and research teams to deploy enterprise-wide security improvements.
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
- 5 years of experience with security assessments or security design reviews or threat modeling.
- 5 years of experience with security engineering, computer and network security and security protocols.
- 5 years of coding experience in one or more general purpose languages.
- 1 year of experience leading teams in a technical capacity or leading technical risk analysis in an enterprise environment.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience in applied vulnerability research, or advanced pen testing/red teaming.
- Experience in conducting AI Red Teaming or participating in AI bug bounties.
- Experience in analyzing systems and identifying security and abuse problems, threat modeling, and remediation.
- Understanding of Generative AI technologies, Large Language Models (LLMs), and AI agents.
Benefits
In accordance with Washington state law, we are highlighting our comprehensive benefits package, which is available to all eligible US based employees. Benefits for this role include:
- Health, dental, vision, life, disability insurance
- Retirement Benefits: 401(k) with company match
- Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year, accruing at a rate of 6.15 hours per pay period for the first five years of employment
- Sick Time: 40 hours/year (increased to 69 hours/year for Seattle) including 5 discretionary sick days per instance
- Maternity Leave (Short-Term Disability + Baby Bonding): 28-30 weeks
- Baby Bonding Leave: 18 weeks
- Holidays: 13 paid days per year
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $174,000-$252,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google .
Key skills/competency
- AI Security
- Generative AI
- LLM Security
- Threat Modeling
- Vulnerability Research
- Penetration Testing
- Security Engineering
- Cloud Security
- API Security
- Risk Analysis
Skills & topics
- Senior Security Engineer
- AI Protection
- Generative AI
- LLM Security
- Cybersecurity
- Threat Modeling
- Vulnerability Research
- Penetration Testing
- Cloud Security
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your experience with security assessments, threat modeling, and Generative AI technologies.
- Showcase technical skills: Emphasize your coding proficiency and experience with security engineering and protocols.
- Demonstrate leadership: Provide examples of leading technical teams or risk analysis in previous roles.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your approach to identifying and mitigating novel AI threats.
- Research Google's culture: Understand their commitment to security and innovation in AI.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What specific AI security experience is Google looking for in a Senior Security Engineer candidate?
- Google is seeking candidates with experience in applied vulnerability research, advanced penetration testing/red teaming, conducting AI Red Teaming, participating in AI bug bounties, and analyzing systems for security and abuse problems. A strong understanding of Generative AI technologies, Large Language Models (LLMs), and AI agents is also highly preferred for this Senior Security Engineer role.
- What are the key responsibilities for a Senior Security Engineer focused on AI Protection at Google?
- As a Senior Security Engineer, you will drive Cloud AI security initiatives, architect threat models for AI ecosystems, identify and analyze novel attack vectors targeting AI agents and LLMs, lead adversarial simulations, pioneer vulnerability research, and direct incident response for AI abuse.
- What is the typical career progression for a Senior Security Engineer at Google?
- The Senior Security Engineer role at Google offers opportunities for technical leadership, specialized expertise in emerging fields like AI security, and the chance to influence security strategy across major products. Career paths can lead to Principal Engineer, management roles, or deep specialization in niche security domains.
- How does Google approach security for its AI products and services?
- Google prioritizes security for its AI products by employing a multi-layered approach that includes rigorous security engineering, proactive threat modeling, continuous vulnerability research, adversarial simulations, and rapid incident response. The goal is to ensure the reliability and security of Cloud and Workspace AI systems against sophisticated attacks.
- What programming languages are most relevant for this Senior Security Engineer AI Protection role at Google?
- The job description mentions 'coding experience in one or more general purpose languages' as a minimum qualification. While specific languages aren't listed, proficiency in languages commonly used for security engineering, scripting, and system development, such as Python, Go, C++, or Java, would likely be beneficial for this role.
- Can you provide more details on the AI Red Teaming experience preferred for this position?
- AI Red Teaming experience for this Senior Security Engineer role involves simulating sophisticated attacks against AI systems to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses. This could include testing for prompt injection, data poisoning, model inversion, or other novel attack vectors specific to Generative AI and LLMs.