What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Information Security Engineer - Threat Defense & Automation position at Proofpoint?
About Us
Proofpoint is a global leader in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity. We protect how people, data, and AI agents connect across email, cloud, and collaboration tools. Over 80 of the Fortune 100, 10,000 large enterprises, and millions of smaller organizations trust Proofpoint to stop threats, prevent data loss, and build resilience across their people and AI workflows. Our mission is simple safeguard the digital world and empower people to work securely and confidently. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.
How We Work
At Proofpoint you’ll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity guided by our BRAVE core values
Bold in how we dream and innovate
Responsive to feedback, challenges and opportunities
Accountable for results and best in class outcomes
Visionary in future focused problem-solving
Exceptional in execution and impact
About Proofpoint
At Proofpoint, we are committed to protecting organizations and individuals from cyber threats through innovative security solutions. Our mission is to safeguard customers from advanced threats, phishing attacks, and data breaches through cutting-edge technology and a global team of security experts.
Role Overview
We’re seeking a Staff Information Security Engineer to help lead and evolve our Global Information Security Operation. In this role, you’ll shape incident response strategy, push forward advanced threat detection and defense capabilities, and take point on the most complex security investigations across the enterprise.
As a Staff-level engineer, you will operate as a subject matter expert and technical leader, partnering across SOC, Threat Intelligence, Detection Engineering, and Security Engineering to improve Proofpoint’s ability to detect, respond to, and proactively hunt advanced threats.
This role includes participation in a 24/7 on-call incident response rotation.
Location This is a hybrid role based in our Draper, UT or Sunnyvale, CA office 4 days a week.
Key Responsibilities
At Proofpoint, we believe that an exceptional career experience includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Here are just a few reasons you’ll love working with us
Our culture is rooted in values that inspire belonging, empower purpose and drive success-every day, for everyone.
We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please reach out to accessibility@proofpoint.com.
How To Apply
Interested? Submit your application along with any supporting information- we can’t wait to hear from you!
Consistent with Proofpoint values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets as set out below. Pay within these ranges varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee. This role may be eligible for variable compensation and/or equity. We offer a competitive benefits package, including flexible time off, a comprehensive well-being program with two paid Wellbeing Days and two paid Volunteer Days per year, plus a three-week Work from Anywhere option.
Base Pay Ranges
SF Bay Area, New York City Metro Area
Base Pay Range 187,700.00 - 275,275.00 USD
California (excludes SF Bay Area), Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington DC Metro, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Alaska
Base Pay Range 151,000.00 - 221,430.00 USD
All other cities and states excluding those listed above
Base Pay Range 137,000.00 - 200,915.00 USD
Proofpoint is a global leader in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity. We protect how people, data, and AI agents connect across email, cloud, and collaboration tools. Over 80 of the Fortune 100, 10,000 large enterprises, and millions of smaller organizations trust Proofpoint to stop threats, prevent data loss, and build resilience across their people and AI workflows. Our mission is simple safeguard the digital world and empower people to work securely and confidently. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.
How We Work
At Proofpoint you’ll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity guided by our BRAVE core values
Bold in how we dream and innovate
Responsive to feedback, challenges and opportunities
Accountable for results and best in class outcomes
Visionary in future focused problem-solving
Exceptional in execution and impact
About Proofpoint
At Proofpoint, we are committed to protecting organizations and individuals from cyber threats through innovative security solutions. Our mission is to safeguard customers from advanced threats, phishing attacks, and data breaches through cutting-edge technology and a global team of security experts.
Role Overview
We’re seeking a Staff Information Security Engineer to help lead and evolve our Global Information Security Operation. In this role, you’ll shape incident response strategy, push forward advanced threat detection and defense capabilities, and take point on the most complex security investigations across the enterprise.
As a Staff-level engineer, you will operate as a subject matter expert and technical leader, partnering across SOC, Threat Intelligence, Detection Engineering, and Security Engineering to improve Proofpoint’s ability to detect, respond to, and proactively hunt advanced threats.
This role includes participation in a 24/7 on-call incident response rotation.
Location This is a hybrid role based in our Draper, UT or Sunnyvale, CA office 4 days a week.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as a Level 3 / Staff escalation point for high-severity incidents.
- Lead investigations into APTs, ransomware, insider threats, and cloud compromises.
- Act as incident commander and coordinate response efforts.
- Participate in 24/7 on-call incident response.
- Lead threat hunting across endpoint, network, identity, and cloud.
- Operationalize threat intelligence into detections and response.
- Design and improve detections across SIEM, EDR, and SOAR.
- Automate incident triage and response workflows.
- Drive post-incident reviews and continuous improvement.
- Mentor team members and influence security strategy.
- 12 years in Incident Response, DFIR, Threat Hunting, or Security Operations.
- Deep expertise in incident response, threat hunting, and threat intelligence.
- Strong knowledge of MITRE ATT&CK and adversary TTPs.
- Experience with SIEM, EDR, SOAR, and cloud security.
- Scripting experience (Python, PowerShell, or Bash).
- Strong communication and leadership skills.
- US Citizen.
- Experience building threat hunting or detection programs.
- Background in threat intelligence or red/purple teaming.
- Certifications such as GCFA, GCIH, CISSP, CISM, OSCP.
At Proofpoint, we believe that an exceptional career experience includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Here are just a few reasons you’ll love working with us
- Competitive compensation
- Comprehensive benefits
- Career success on your terms
- Flexible work environment
- Annual wellness and community outreach days
- Always on recognition for your contributions
- Global collaboration and networking opportunities
Our culture is rooted in values that inspire belonging, empower purpose and drive success-every day, for everyone.
We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please reach out to accessibility@proofpoint.com.
How To Apply
Interested? Submit your application along with any supporting information- we can’t wait to hear from you!
Consistent with Proofpoint values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets as set out below. Pay within these ranges varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee. This role may be eligible for variable compensation and/or equity. We offer a competitive benefits package, including flexible time off, a comprehensive well-being program with two paid Wellbeing Days and two paid Volunteer Days per year, plus a three-week Work from Anywhere option.
Base Pay Ranges
SF Bay Area, New York City Metro Area
Base Pay Range 187,700.00 - 275,275.00 USD
California (excludes SF Bay Area), Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington DC Metro, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Alaska
Base Pay Range 151,000.00 - 221,430.00 USD
All other cities and states excluding those listed above
Base Pay Range 137,000.00 - 200,915.00 USD