Director of Security Engineering

C1·Remote(Portland)
Software Development
Excel

WFA Digital Insight

The remote job market is witnessing a surge in demand for security experts, with a 25% increase in job postings over the past year. As companies like C1 pioneer AI-native identity security platforms, the need for skilled directors to lead security engineering functions is on the rise. With its strong focus on customer trust and security, C1 stands out as a leader in this space. Candidates should be aware that this role requires a unique blend of technical expertise, leadership skills, and strategic thinking. Before applying, consider how your experience in security engineering, compliance, and team management aligns with C1's mission and values.

Job Description

About the Role

The Director of Security Engineering at C1 is a high-impact leadership role that requires a deep understanding of security engineering, compliance, and team management. As a key member of the C1 team, you will be responsible for leading and scaling the security engineering function, ensuring the security and integrity of C1's AI-native identity platform, and driving the company's security strategy. You will work closely with engineering, product, and go-to-market teams to embed security into everything C1 builds.

C1 is a pioneer in the identity security space, and its platform protects every identity, human, non-human, and AI. With a strong focus on customer trust and security, C1 is trusted by enterprises like DigitalOcean, Instacart, Ramp, and Zscaler. As the Director of Security Engineering, you will be instrumental in maintaining and enhancing this trust.

What You Will Do

  • Lead and scale the security engineering function, including building and managing a high-performing team of security engineers
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive security engineering roadmap aligned with company objectives and customer commitments
  • Own C1's security architecture across cloud infrastructure, applications, and data systems
  • Drive security reviews, threat modeling, and secure design practices across the engineering organization
  • Ensure the security and integrity of C1's AI-native identity platform, including protection of customer data and identities
  • Lead vulnerability management, penetration testing, and incident response capabilities
  • Partner with engineering teams to integrate security into CI/CD pipelines and the software development lifecycle
  • Serve as the technical lead for security audits, customer security assessments, and regulatory inquiries
  • Report on security posture, risks, and initiatives to executive leadership
  • Collaborate with Product and Engineering leadership to balance security requirements with velocity
  • Support Sales and Customer Success with security expertise during customer engagements

What We Are Looking For

  • 10+ years of experience in security engineering, application security, or infrastructure security, with 5+ years of experience leading security teams
  • Deep experience securing SaaS platforms, ideally in the identity, security, or enterprise software space
  • A builder's mindset, with a focus on creating security programs and tooling from the ground up
  • Strong technical foundation in cloud security (AWS), container security, and modern application architectures
  • Hands-on experience with security tools and practices, including SAST/DAST, vulnerability management, SIEM, incident response, and penetration testing
  • Track record of building and scaling high-performing security teams
  • Experience with compliance frameworks (SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP) and customer security assessments
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate security concepts for technical and non-technical audiences

Nice to Have

  • Experience at an identity, IAM, or security vendor
  • Background in securing AI/ML systems or agentic architectures
  • Open source contributions or community involvement in security
  • Experience with Excel and other productivity tools

Benefits and Perks

  • Competitive salary and equity package
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Generous PTO and holiday policy
  • Remote work stipend and equipment allowance
  • Professional development opportunities, including training and conference sponsorships
  • Access to a talented and dedicated team of security professionals
  • The opportunity to work on a cutting-edge AI-native identity security platform

How to Stand Out

  • To stand out as a candidate, be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud security, container security, and modern application architectures. Highlight your ability to lead high-performing teams and drive security engineering initiatives.
  • When applying, make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific requirements of the role, emphasizing your technical expertise and leadership skills.
  • During the interview process, be prepared to answer behavioral questions that demonstrate your experience with security tools and practices, as well as your ability to communicate complex security concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Consider creating a portfolio that showcases your experience with security engineering, including any open source contributions or community involvement.
  • When negotiating salary, be sure to highlight your unique blend of technical and leadership skills, as well as your experience in the security engineering space.
  • Be wary of companies that do not prioritize security or do not have a clear security strategy in place. As a Director of Security Engineering, you will be instrumental in driving the company's security posture, and you should be aligned with a company that shares your values and priorities.

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