Product Security Lead

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At Proton, we believe that privacy is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of democracy. Since our inception in 2014, founded by a team of scientists from CERN, we have dedicated ourselves to providing free and open-source technology to millions worldwide, ensuring access to privacy, security, and freedom online.

Our journey began with Proton Mail, the largest secure email service globally, and has since expanded to include Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, Proton Drive, and Proton Pass. These tools empower individuals and organizations to take control of their personal data, break away from Big Tech’s invasive practices, and defeat censorship.

Proton is a profitable company that does not rely upon VC funding, supporting over 100 million user accounts with a growing team of over 500 people from over 50 different countries, from the world\’s top companies and universities. We value intelligence, learning potential, and ambition in our hiring process. Adaptability is key as we navigate uncharted territories and redefine how business is conducted online.

Hiring at Proton is highly selective, with less than 1% of candidates hired. We believe smaller teams of exceptional talent will always prevail over larger teams with lower talent density. You will have the opportunity work with many of the world\’s top minds in their fields, ranging from former international math and science olympiad winners to chess champions.

We have a global mindset and big ambitions but remain a start-up at heart. We value empowerment and flexibility and keep our structure flat to keep moving fast and avoid unnecessary politics. Tired of blending into the crowd? Join us and do work you can truly be proud of.

The Team:

We’re looking for a visionary security professional who combines deep expertise with genuine passion; to drive meaningful change across our growing organisation. This role sits at the heart of what Proton stands for and fulfills the trust our users place in us every day.

You’ll be encouraged to challenge the status quo, innovate efficiently, and collaborate daily with some of the brightest minds who truly care about protecting privacy and building secure products.

Tech Stack and Tools:

• Proton currently offers the following products: Mail, Calendar, VPN, Pass, Drive, each of which is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, MacOS, iOS and Linux.
• Our infrastructure is entirely composed of Linux machines.
• Wherever we can, we make use of open-source technologies.

About the role:

You will be leading our efforts to ensure that Proton\’s applications are secure

What you will be doing:

• Set the north star – Define a compelling vision and roadmap for product security that inspires the whole organisation.
• Build the function – Find the best people to work with you and build your dream product security team
• Be the go-to hero-in – Serve as go-to person for product security across the entire company, influencing strategy, design, and delivery.
• Architect secure products – Partner with product managers, designers, and developers to embed security from day one, turning risk-aware thinking into a habit.
• Create playbooks & policies – Design clear, developer-friendly security guidelines and automated workflows that keep code secure without killing velocity.
• Empower engineers – Build the tools, processes, and culture that let developers ship fast and safe.
• Lead the bug bounty program – Turn the global security community into an extension of our own team.
• Influence roadmaps – Sit at the table with product leads, shaping priorities and ensuring security considerations are baked into every release.

What we are looking for:

• 10+ years in application security (SaaS or privacy-focused)
• Proven record leading security projects from concept to production
• Leadership style that blends constructive challenge with collaboration
• Hands-on experience with code reviews, penetration testing, or security tooling
• Track record defining and executing remediation plans
• Ability to translate technical detail into clear, actionable guidance for any audience.
• Quick grasp of large, complex systems

Nice to have:

• Experience with B2B product security features
• Knowledge of infrastructure security (hardware, networking, OS, file systems).
• Experience with cryptographic protocols, or prior work at privacy-centric organizations.
• Experience with utilizing open-source code at scale

What We Offer

• Office First: Collaboration is easier and more effective in person, which is why we have offices in Geneva, Zurich, Prague, Barcelona, Paris, London, Vilnius, Skopje, and Taipei.
• Technology: We provide all the devices and software you need to excel in your role, ensuring you have the best tools at your disposal to achieve your goals.
• Food: Lunch and snacks are provided by Proton every day at our offices.
• Transport: We will always support our employees with transport costs through subsidizing public transport, bike allowances, or parking spaces based on your office location.
• Stock Options: At Proton, we are all owners of the company and you get stock options when you join us.
• Flexible Working: You can define your own working hours as long as it works with team meetings.
• Learning and Development: We are committed to your professional growth. Proton offers various learning opportunities, including training programs, conferences and events, and continual learning.
• Employee Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance plans, competitive retirement savings options, generous vacation and leave policies, and wellness programs.
• Work that Matters: Proton is a community-first organization, started with the support of a crowdfunding campaign and built with community input.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At Proton, we believe diversity drives innovation and strengthens our mission to provide privacy as a default for all. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical ability, or socio-economic background, feel valued and empowered.

We strive to create equal opportunities, promote open dialogue, and support continuous learning to ensure every voice is heard and respected.