AI Security Engineer at Perplexity AI

San Francisco, California, United States

Perplexity AI Logo
$250,000 – $350,000Compensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
AI, Technology, CybersecurityIndustries

Requirements

  • Hands-on coding and prompting experience
  • Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent experience
  • Be a technical and process subject matter expert regarding AI security services and attacker tactics, techniques, and procedures
  • Good understanding of LLMs, AI architecture patterns, machine learning models, and related technologies such as MCP
  • Understanding of application security principles and secure coding practices
  • Experience developing and implementing security procedures and policies
  • Strong problem-solving, project management, leadership, and communication skills
  • Self-motivated with a willingness to take ownership of tasks
  • 4+ years of industry experience

Responsibilities

  • Define, build, and refine mechanisms to secure AI systems (including self-hosted models, LLM APIs, agents, MCPs, and other core components of the AI stack) against adversarial behavior of all kinds
  • Understand technically complex AI systems, identify potential weaknesses in their architecture, and implement improvements
  • At least 50% of time performing hands-on remediation. Also working closely with peer engineers to drive remediations
  • Plan and carry out threat modeling activities and realistic threat simulations across our offerings
  • Conduct cybersecurity evaluations and lead AI security assessments in a cross-functional environment
  • Develop initiatives that improve our capabilities to effectively evaluate AI systems and enhance the organization's prevention, detection, response, and threat hunting capabilities
  • Provide guidance and education to developers to help deter and prevent threats

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

PythonNextJSTypeScriptDockerAWSKubernetesPostgreSQLLLMsAI SecurityThreat ModelingMachine LearningApplication Security

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the AI Security Engineer position?

The salary range is $250K - $350K.

Is this a remote position or does it require office work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What technical skills are required for this role?

Required skills include hands-on coding and prompting experience, good understanding of LLMs, AI architecture patterns, machine learning models, and related technologies such as MCP, plus familiarity with the tech stack: Python, NextJS, TypeScript, Docker, AWS, Kubernetes, and PostgreSQL.

What does the security team culture look like at Perplexity AI?

The role involves hands-on remediation (at least 50% of time), working closely with peer engineers, conducting threat modeling and simulations, and providing guidance to developers in a cross-functional environment.

What makes a strong candidate for this AI Security Engineer role?

Strong candidates have 4+ years of industry experience, a degree in Computer Science or equivalent, expertise in AI security and attacker tactics, understanding of application security principles, and strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills.

Perplexity AI

Advanced answer engine providing reliable information

About Perplexity AI

Perplexity AI provides an advanced answer engine that delivers accurate and reliable responses to user queries. The platform uses current sources to ensure the information is both precise and relevant. It caters to a wide audience, including individuals looking for quick answers and businesses needing detailed information. Unlike many competitors, Perplexity AI emphasizes high-quality, source-backed answers, making it a valuable resource for users seeking trustworthy data. The company's goal is to meet the increasing demand for immediate access to reliable information, generating revenue through subscription fees, advertising, and partnerships.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2022Year Founded
$890MTotal Funding
LATE_VCCompany Stage
Data & Analytics, Consumer SoftwareIndustries
201-500Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Company Equity

Risks

Pending copyright infringement class action poses legal and financial challenges.
Competition from Google's AI Mode could impact user retention and market share.
Otterly.AI's brand visibility tool may pressure Perplexity to maintain high performance.

Differentiation

Perplexity AI integrates large language models with search engines for precise responses.
The platform offers an open-source environment, enhancing public access to AI tools.
Perplexity's strategic acquisition of Carbon boosts its data connectivity capabilities.

Upsides

Partnership with Tripadvisor enhances travel planning with personalized recommendations.
$500M funding round increases valuation to $9 billion, supporting growth and innovation.
Integration with FactSet attracts financial clients with enhanced data accessibility.

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