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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop tools to track and report on cyber threats.
- Company: Join Proofpoint, a leader in human-centric cybersecurity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a fully remote team with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Passion for threat research and experience in programming, especially Python.
The predicted salary is between 124100 - 182050 £ per year.
About Proofpoint
Proofpoint is a global leader in human‑ and agent‑centric cybersecurity, protecting how people, data and AI agents connect across email, cloud and collaboration tools.
The Role
Senior Security Research Engineer on Proofpoint’s Threat Research team. You will design and develop tooling that enables threat researchers to track, contextualize and report on malicious activity. Your work directly impacts the effectiveness of Proofpoint products and the protection of customers.
Responsibilities
- Stay abreast of an evolving threat landscape and the modern tech stacks needed for research.
- Partner with threat researchers to design, implement, and iterate tools and systems that support their research workflow.
- Serve as a liaison with other engineering units to communicate stakeholder requirements and advise on security‑focused end‑user needs.
- Operate effectively in a fully remote team environment using chat, video, and conference calls.
Qualifications
- Passion for threat research and a well‑rounded understanding of the threat landscape.
- Ability to translate researcher needs into clear, efficient system requirements and implement them.
- Experience developing tooling in multiple programming languages, predominantly Python.
- Experience integrating existing tooling into comprehensive, deployable systems for a distributed team (devOps, architecture).
- Experience working with large datasets and associated tools/libraries such as relational databases, AWS, Splunk, Pandas, and Jupyter.
- Self‑directed and accountable, with outstanding communication skills to present complex technical topics to diverse stakeholders.
Nice to Have
- Understanding of malware analysis fundamentals, including sandbox results.
- Experience with large language models (LLM) and agent/agentic framework development and support.
- Prior experience tracking threat actors or malware families.
- Experience performing research in a fully remote environment.
Compensation
Competitive base pay ranges based on U.S. geographic markets:
- SF Bay Area and New York City Metro Area: Base Pay: $166,500.00 – $244,200.00
- California (excluding SF Bay Area), Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington DC Metro, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Alaska: Base Pay: $136,200.00 – $199,760.00
- All other cities and states: Base Pay: $124,100.00 – $182,050.00
Diversity
Sr. Security Research Engineer employer: Proofpoint
Contact Detail:
Proofpoint Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sr. Security Research Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Proofpoint on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a GitHub or portfolio showcasing your tooling projects, make sure to highlight that in conversations. It’s a great way to demonstrate your experience with Python and other relevant technologies.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of the threat landscape. Be ready to discuss recent trends and how they relate to Proofpoint’s mission. This shows your passion for threat research and your commitment to staying informed.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Proofpoint.
We think you need these skills to ace Sr. Security Research Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for threat research! In your application, share specific examples of how you've engaged with the threat landscape and what drives your interest in cybersecurity.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with the tools and technologies mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Be Clear and Concise: When describing your past experiences, keep it straightforward. Use bullet points where possible and focus on the impact of your work. We appreciate clarity and brevity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Proofpoint
✨Know Your Threat Landscape
Before the interview, make sure you’re up to speed with the latest trends in cybersecurity and the evolving threat landscape. Familiarise yourself with recent threats and how they impact organisations like Proofpoint. This will show your passion for threat research and your commitment to staying informed.
✨Showcase Your Tooling Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in developing tooling, especially in Python. Bring examples of projects where you've designed or implemented systems that support research workflows. Highlight how you’ve integrated existing tools into comprehensive systems, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be working with diverse stakeholders, practice explaining complex technical topics in simple terms. Think about how you can convey your ideas effectively, especially when discussing system requirements or security-focused needs. Good communication can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Remote Work Readiness
As the role is fully remote, demonstrate your ability to thrive in a virtual environment. Share experiences where you successfully collaborated with teams using chat, video, and conference calls. Highlight your self-directed nature and accountability, which are key in a remote setting.