AbbVie

Principal Agentic AI Security Engineer

AbbVie$150K — $180K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's with 9 years, Master's with 8 years, or PhD with 4 years of experience in cybersecurity/domain.
  • Significant hands-on expertise in security engineering, with a strong software engineering background.
  • Proficient in Python and familiar with additional programming languages.
  • Experience with agentic AI tools integrated into security development workflows.
  • Established track record of publishing original technical work or contributions in cybersecurity research.

Responsibilities

  • Architect and implement AI systems for autonomous security operations.
  • Address complex challenges such as adversarial robustness and secure communication.
  • Create frameworks and tooling for building secure agentic AI systems.
  • Conduct original research and translate findings into tangible AI security solutions.
  • Develop proof-of-concept security exploits to gauge system vulnerabilities.
  • Publish technical guidance based on own developed systems and research.
  • Act as a subject matter expert in the AI Cybersecurity Maturity program.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance coverage.
  • 401(k) plan for retirement savings.
  • Paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
  • Participation in long-term incentive programs.
Full Job Description
We are building a team that develops AI agents to solve hard security problems -- and you will be tackling the hardest ones. This is a hands-on, senior IC role. You will architect, build, and ship agentic AI systems that operate autonomously within security environments, while also driving the technical direction and standards for how these systems are built, tested, and secured. This is not a management role and not a pure research role. You will write code, ship systems, and get your hands dirty -- but you will be working on problems where there is no playbook yet. You will define the approach, build the proof of concept, harden it for production, and write the technical guidance others follow. Responsibilities: Architect and build AI agent systems for security operations -- autonomous detection, investigation, response, threat hunting, vulnerability analysis, and risk assessment Tackle the novel, high-complexity problems: adversarial robustness of agent systems, secure agent-to-agent communication, guardrails for autonomous decision-making in high-stakes security contexts Develop frameworks, tooling, and patterns for building secure and reliable agentic AI systems -- then use them yourself Conduct original research and experimentation on agentic AI applied to offensive and defensive security, translating findings into working code Build proof-of-concept exploits and adversarial tests against agentic AI systems to identify failure modes and inform defensive design Develop and publish technical guidance and policy for agentic AI security -- grounded in systems you have built and broken Independently author security position papers on emerging technologies -- strategic, high-level documents that frame organizational thinking on new threat domains and drive downstream policy and technical guidance Serve as a subject matter expert and key driver of the AI Cybersecurity Maturity program, spanning application security, training, AI controls and infrastructure, AI discovery and inventory, operations and incident response, and policy and procedure development Integrate LLMs, custom models, and security tooling (SIEM, EDR, SOAR, cloud platforms, vulnerability scanners) into agent architectures Evaluate and adopt emerging AI capabilities (new models, frameworks, techniques) and determine their applicability to security problems Set technical direction for agent development practices, including evaluation frameworks, testing methodologies, and deployment patterns Mentor and elevate other engineers on the team through code review, design guidance, and technical leadership Qualifications Required: Bachelor's Degree with 9 years' experience; Master's Degree with 8 years' experience; PhD with 4 years' experience. Respective years of experience in cybersecurity, security engineering, or security research -- with substantial hands-on technical depth Strong software engineering skills -- you ship production systems, not just prototypes. Python required; additional languages a plus Deep expertise in at least two of: security operations, application security, threat intelligence, vulnerability research, detection engineering, offensive security, cloud security Demonstrated experience building AI agents and AI/ML-powered security tools or automation that operated at scale Hands-on experience with agentic coding tools (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Aider, or similar) as part of your daily development workflow -- you build with agents, not just build agents Track record of original technical work -- published research, open-source tooling, conference presentations, or equivalent evidence of independent technical contribution Ability to work at the intersection of security and AI: you understand both the security implications of AI systems and how to apply AI to security problems Experience developing technical standards, frameworks, or guidance that others adopted Strong written and verbal communication -- you can explain complex technical concepts to both engineers and senior leadership, and you can write strategically about emerging technology risks at a level that shapes organizational direction Preferred: Experience with agent orchestration and autonomous systems (custom frameworks, LangChain, AutoGen, MCP, or similar) Background in adversarial ML, AI red teaming, or AI safety Familiarity with security compliance frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, SOX) and how they apply to AI systems Published work (Black Hat, DEF CON, OWASP, academic journals, or equivalent venues) Experience in regulated industries (financial services, healthcare, critical infrastructure, government/defense) Contributions to open-source security projects OWASP, MITRE ATT&CK, or similar framework expertise applied in production environments Security clearance eligibility (not required) Additional Information Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees. This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

About AbbVie

AbbVie develops pharmaceuticals and medical devices. They provide products and services to therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology.

AbbVie Careers

Joining AbbVie means becoming part of a global team dedicated to making a remarkable impact on patients' lives. At AbbVie, our employees are united in the pursuit of groundbreaking innovation and are committed to transforming the future of healthcare with leading-edge science.

Work You’ll Do

At AbbVie, you’ll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry to solve challenging problems that have a high impact on society. Our culture fosters growth and embraces leadership and diversity training, ensuring that every team member can thrive.

Explore Job Opportunities

AbbVie offers a wide range of job opportunities and career paths, providing a platform where professionals can propel their careers forward. From research and development to marketing and sales, the potential to make a significant impact is limitless.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with an AbbVie internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry experience and a chance to develop essential skills in a real-world setting. Interns at AbbVie are considered integral members of the team and are given tasks that are both challenging and rewarding.

Professional Growth and Development

We believe in nurturing our team's professional growth through comprehensive training programs, leadership development opportunities, and continuous learning. Our commitment to your career growth is reflected in our robust offerings that enhance your skills and knowledge.

Benefits and Culture

AbbVie is dedicated to supporting our employees' well-being both inside and outside of work. Our benefits package includes health, financial, and social benefits that are designed to support the diverse needs of our employees. Our inclusive culture encourages collaboration and innovation, fostering a workplace where all can excel.

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to ensure a match that will be beneficial both for the company and for your career aspirations. From resume submission to interview, each step is an opportunity to showcase your skills and fit with the AbbVie team.

Networking and Career Advancement

At AbbVie, networking doesn’t just enhance your career; it propels it. We encourage our employees to engage internally and externally to build relationships that foster personal and professional growth.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and innovative team players who are ready to make a difference.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here.

Job Alert Emails

Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at AbbVie.

Explore AbbVie Jobs

Whether you’re seeking to advance your career in a dynamic and empowering environment, or looking for a place where you can innovate, lead, and contribute to something bigger, AbbVie is the place for you. Join us in our mission to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow.
Learn more about AbbVie
Size
50,000 employees
Market Cap
$288.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$4.6 billion
Founded
2013
5 Year Trend
+17%
Revenue
$45.8 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at AbbVie

More Information Technology Jobs

Find similar Principal Agentic AI Security Engineer jobs: