At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our security team to tackle real vulnerabilities and enhance our tech infrastructure.
- Company: Perplexity, a cutting-edge tech company focused on security innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on continuous learning and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by protecting our systems from advanced threats.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in offensive security with strong programming skills.
Perplexity is seeking a highly skilled, experienced and hands-on Offensive Security Engineer to join our dynamic security team, taking an adversarial approach to hardening Perplexity's infrastructure, applications, and AI systems. You'll plan and execute red team operations, penetration tests, and attack simulations across our cloud infrastructure, web and mobile applications, AI/ML pipeline, and corporate environment—finding real vulnerabilities before adversaries do and working directly with engineering teams to drive remediation.
Responsibilities
- Plan and execute red team and purple team engagements simulating advanced threat actors across cloud infrastructure (AWS, Kubernetes), endpoints, and application surfaces.
- Conduct continuous penetration testing of web applications, APIs, mobile clients, browser extensions, cloud infrastructure, and internal services.
- Assess AI/ML-specific attack surfaces including prompt injection, model exfiltration, agent abuse, tool-use exploitation, and MCP security boundaries.
- Develop and maintain custom offensive tooling, exploits, and automation to improve the efficiency and coverage of security testing.
- Perform open-scope adversary simulations that test detection and response capabilities end to end, collaborating closely with the defensive security team.
- Drive threat modeling sessions with engineering teams to identify and prioritize attack vectors in new features and architectures.
- Deliver clear, actionable findings to both technical and executive audiences; partner with engineering to validate remediations.
- Contribute to the security of CI/CD pipelines, supply chain integrity, and secrets management through offensive assessment.
- Stay current on emerging attack techniques, vulnerability research, and adversary tradecraft; bring external perspective into Perplexity's security strategy.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in offensive security, red teaming, or penetration testing.
- Deep technical expertise in at least two of: cloud security (AWS/GCP/Azure), web/API application security, Kubernetes and container security, macOS/Linux endpoint security, network penetration testing, or CI/CD pipeline security.
- Track record of discovering impactful vulnerabilities or developing novel attack techniques in production environments.
- Strong programming and scripting skills in Python, Go, or similar languages; comfortable writing custom tooling and exploits.
- Experience with industry-standard offensive tools (Burp Suite, Cobalt Strike / Sliver / Mythic, Metasploit, BloodHound, nuclei, etc.) and ability to operate beyond them.
- Excellent written and verbal communication; able to translate complex technical findings into clear risk narratives.
- Experience assessing AI/ML systems, LLM applications, or agentic workflows for security vulnerabilities.
- Bonus: Published security research, conference talks (DEF CON, Black Hat, BSides), CVE credits, or meaningful bug bounty contributions.
Compensation Range: $220K - $405K
Member of Technical Staff (Offensive Security Engineer) employer: Perplexity
At Perplexity, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to make a real impact in the tech industry. As a member of our small, dedicated team in a vibrant location, you'll enjoy opportunities for professional growth while working on cutting-edge infrastructure projects that redefine how users interact with the internet. We offer competitive benefits, a collaborative environment, and the chance to contribute to meaningful advancements in search technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Member of Technical Staff (Offensive Security Engineer)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry meetups, conferences, or online webinars related to offensive security. Engaging with professionals in the field can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, red team operations, or any vulnerabilities you've discovered. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply—follow up! After submitting your application through our website, drop a friendly email to express your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for technical interviews by practising common offensive security scenarios. Brush up on your knowledge of tools like Burp Suite and Metasploit, and be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail.
We think you need these skills to ace Member of Technical Staff (Offensive Security Engineer)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Offensive Security Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience in red teaming and penetration testing, and don’t forget to mention any specific tools or techniques you’ve used that align with our needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about offensive security and how your skills can help us at Perplexity. Be sure to mention any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your expertise.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Did you discover a critical vulnerability? Did you develop a custom tool that improved testing efficiency? We want to hear about it!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Perplexity
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your offensive security knowledge, especially around red teaming and penetration testing. Familiarise yourself with the specific tools mentioned in the job description, like Burp Suite and Metasploit, and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share concrete examples of vulnerabilities you've discovered or attack techniques you've developed. Highlight any impactful findings from previous roles, especially those that relate to cloud security or AI/ML systems, as these are key areas for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to convey your findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, so being able to translate your work into clear risk narratives is crucial.
✨Stay Current
Keep up with the latest trends in offensive security and emerging attack techniques. Being able to discuss recent developments or your own research will show your passion for the field and your commitment to staying ahead of adversaries.
