At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our security team to tackle real-world vulnerabilities and enhance our tech infrastructure.
- Company: Perplexity, a cutting-edge tech firm focused on innovative security solutions.
- Benefits: Attractive 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) in Salford employer: Perplexity
Perplexity is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for skilled Offensive Security Engineers to thrive. With a focus on employee growth, we offer continuous learning opportunities and the chance to work on cutting-edge security challenges in a dynamic environment. Our commitment to a supportive work culture, combined with competitive compensation and benefits, ensures that our team members are well-equipped to make a meaningful impact in the field of cybersecurity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Member of Technical Staff (Offensive Security Engineer) in Salford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. Connecting with folks 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 cool offensive security tools you've developed. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Engage in Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions or contribute to open-source security projects. It’s a great way to sharpen your skills and get noticed by recruiters.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Tailor your application to highlight your experience in offensive security and how you can contribute to our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Member of Technical Staff (Offensive Security Engineer) in Salford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Offensive Security Engineer role. Highlight your experience with red teaming, penetration testing, and any specific tools you've used. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
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 background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any interesting projects or have contributions to open-source tools, make sure to mention them. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, especially if they relate to cloud security or AI/ML systems.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in joining our dynamic security team!
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 expertise 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.
