Position: Forward-Deployed Security Engineer (AI Infrastructure)
Location: San Francisco, CA (50–75% travel to client sites)
Compensation: $200,000 – $500,000 base + 1–3% equity
Clearance: Active U.S. TS/SCI required
Employment Type: Full-time
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
A stealth-mode startup backed by top security leaders and AI pioneers recently closed a $3M seed round to secure the most sensitive infrastructure of the 21st century—AI data centers. The company is deploying security systems to protect the tens of millions of GPUs powering the global economy and collaborating directly with classified government and defense customers.
We are seeking a Forward-Deployed Security Engineer to work closely with customers in defense, intelligence, and frontier AI infrastructure environments. This is a rare opportunity to shape critical systems at the heart of global AI deployment.
Serve as the technical bridge between engineering and customer sites, deploying and integrating security solutions on-site
Lead field-based customer discovery, integration, troubleshooting, and iteration
Translate complex customer requirements into actionable engineering feedback
Build trust and navigate complex technical and bureaucratic environments
Rapidly prototype, test, and ship security features in high-stakes environments
Experience:
2+ years as a forward-deployed, customer-facing, or solutions engineer
Background in one or more of the following:
AI infrastructure (e.g., Nvidia, TSMC, Intel)
AI labs (e.g., Anthropic, DeepMind, OpenAI)
Agile defense/hardware (e.g., Anduril, SpaceX, Hadrian)
National security or intelligence roles (e.g., NSA, CIA, IDF)
High-frequency trading or quant (e.g., Jane Street)
Deep security firms (e.g., Trail of Bits, CrowdStrike)
Technical Skills:
Experience with system integration in secure or regulated environments
Familiarity with confidential computing, secure enclaves, or TEEs
Programming experience in Rust, C, or low-level systems languages
Background with FPGAs, Xilinx SoCs, or hardware-secure elements
Applied ML or research experience, ideally with PyTorch or similar
Security engineering or CTF competition background a plus
Bonus Qualifications:
PhD from top institutions (e.g., MIT, CMU, Oxford)
Medals from IMO, IOI, or national-level technical competitions
Superforecaster status (Good Judgment Project or similar)
Active technical portfolio (GitHub, blog, YouTube channel, etc.)
Deep belief in the transformative power of AGI
Mission-driven mindset oriented toward national security and AI alignment
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with high EQ
Ability to operate independently in ambiguous, high-pressure field environments
Obsessive about speed, safety, and security