ServiceNow

Principal Security Engineer | Cyber Defense Engineering

ServiceNow$221K — $387K *
Information Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in security engineering with a focus on AI-related threats.
  • 5+ years of software engineering experience managing complex system architecture.
  • Experience in integrating AI into workflows and decision-making processes.
  • Ability to set technical direction across various security domains.
  • Strong communication skills and a fast-learning attitude in a rapidly evolving field.

Responsibilities

  • Architect the internal AI security strategy for ServiceNow's adoption of AI tools.
  • Drive execution by ensuring production-grade outcomes and holding teams accountable.
  • Lead complex threat modeling for internal AI surfaces.
  • Define AI governance and translate it into enforceable controls with cross-department collaboration.
  • Partner with product AI security to integrate emerging threat research into internal practices.
  • Apply AI to modernize cyber defense initiatives and tackle undefined challenges.
  • Mentor and elevate the technical capabilities of the engineering team.

Benefits

  • Health plans with flexible spending accounts.
  • 401(k) plan with company matching.
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
  • Matching donations for charitable contributions.
  • Flexible annual leave and family leave programs.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The ServiceNow Security Organization (SSO)

The ServiceNow Security Organization (SSO) delivers world-class, innovative security solutions to reduce risk and protect the company and our customers. We enable our customers to migrate their most sensitive data and workloads to the cloud, accelerating our business so that we are the most trusted SaaS provider. We create an environment where our employees are proud to work and can make a positive impact

This is a hands-on engineering and architecture role within Cyber Defense Engineering (CDE), applied to some of the hardest, least-defined problems in cyber defense, protecting a platform trusted by thousands of the world's largest enterprises. You'll operate with minimal direction and broad latitude to set the technical agenda.

You'll start by tackling one of the highest-stakes problems in enterprise security today: how do you secure a company's own employees and systems as they adopt AI faster than anyone can govern it? Think compromised internal agents, AI copilots that leak sensitive data, and shadow AI tools appearing before any policy exists.

You'll architect the threat models, controls, and secure-by-design standards other teams build against, partnering with ServiceNow's product AI security research team to apply frontier research internally, and you'll be the technical authority Security, IT, and Engineering rely on for internal AI threats.

Beyond internal AI security, you'll also lead initiatives that use AI to transform cyber defense more broadly, such as modernizing blue and red team practices or solving problems that don't have a name yet. This role is for engineers who want to keep solving cyber defense's hardest, least-defined problems at the frontier of the field, not run a single program indefinitely.

What You'll Do
  • Architect Internal AI Security Strategy: Own the security architecture for internal AI adoption across ServiceNow, including agentic tools, LLMs, copilots, and the automation built on them
  • Drive Execution Excellence: Push your architecture and standards through to adopted, production-grade outcomes, not just documentation, holding IAM, endpoint security, cloud security, IT, and infrastructure teams accountable for secure implementation
  • Lead AI Threat Modeling: Threat model the most complex internal AI surfaces, from compromised or misdirected agents to attack classes not yet standardized in the industry
  • Define AI Governance and Policy: Partner with Legal, Privacy, IT, and Engineering leadership to define what's safe to use, and translate that into enforceable, scalable controls for sanctioned and shadow AI alike
  • Partner on Frontier AI Threat Research: Collaborate with ServiceNow's product AI security team to bring emerging attack research into ServiceNow internal AI security, and surface real-world internal findings back to them
  • Drive Broader Cyber Defense Initiatives: Apply AI to modernize blue and red team practices, consolidate detection platforms, or take on the next problem that doesn't have a name yet
  • Mentor and Raise the Bar: Mentor engineers across CDE and raise the technical bar on whatever problem you're driving


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
  • Experience in leveraging or critically thinking about how to integrate AI into work processes, decision-making, or problem-solving. This may include using AI-powered tools, automating workflows, analyzing AI-driven insights, or exploring AI's potential impact on the function or industry.
  • 15+ years in security engineering, spanning security operations, architecture, threat modeling, and design reviews, with a recent focus on AI-specific threats. Or similar experience with education
  • 5+ years of software engineering experience, with a proven track record of owning complex system architecture at enterprise scale
  • Demonstrated ability to set technical direction and architect security solutions across multiple security domains (for example, AI security, IAM, endpoint security, infra security, detection engineering, and incident response)
  • Clear communication and a bias toward learning fast in a field that changes constantly

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's / Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or a related technical field, with a specialization in Security or AI/ML, or an exceptional, well-evidenced track record substituting for it
  • Hands-on experience threat modeling and securing modern AI systems (LLMs, agents, RAG pipelines), with evidence of platform-level impact
  • Deep hands-on experience with agentic AI frameworks (e.g., LangChain, LangGraph)
  • Built or open-sourced security tooling/automation for AI systems adopted beyond one team
  • Prior experience setting AI security strategy at a platform or company level


#SecurityJobs

For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $221,200 - $387,100, plus equity (when applicable), variable/incentive compensation and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the base pay shown is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location. We also offer health plans, including flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) Plan with company match, ESPP, matching donations, a flexible time away plan and family leave programs. Compensation is based on the geographic location in which the role is located and is subject to change based on work location.

Additional Information

Work Personas

We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work and their assigned work location. Learn more here. To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service.

About ServiceNow

ServiceNow provides cloud-based solutions that define, structure, manage, and automate services for enterprise operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and other countries. The company offers service management solutions, including incident, problem, change, request, and cost management as well as service catalogs; and IT, HR, facilities, and field service management solutions. It also provides IT operations management solutions covering service mapping, delivery, and assurance solutions; business management solutions such as financial management, project portfolio suite, vendor performance management, and performance analytics as well as governance, risk, and compliance; and application development services.

ServiceNow Careers

Join the dynamic team at ServiceNow, a global leader in digital workflow solutions, where innovation and leadership converge to shape the future of work. At ServiceNow, we offer more than just job opportunities; we provide a platform for professional growth and a chance to be part of a culture that values diversity, creativity, and continuous learning.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career journey with ServiceNow and contribute to the world’s leading enterprises' digital transformation. Our team is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies that improve how people work. With ServiceNow, you will use your skills to impact businesses and industries profoundly, driving efficiency and innovation.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

ServiceNow is not just another technology company. We are a team that thrives on diversity and leadership, fostering an inclusive environment that promotes growth and development. Our commitment to diversity training ensures that every team member can achieve their potential.

Innovative Work

ServiceNow is home to more than 10,000 dedicated professionals who lead the charge in digital workflows and enterprise solutions. As part of our team, you will engage in projects that merge technology with practical applications, creating revolutionary products that advance how services are delivered and managed.

Career Development

At ServiceNow, your career trajectory is filled with boundless opportunities. We support your growth with robust training programs, leadership development courses, and access to global challenges. Whether you are looking for an internship, full-time position, or leadership role, ServiceNow equips you with the tools to excel.

Be Part of a Great Team

Working at ServiceNow means being part of a community that values teamwork and innovation. Our collaborative environment encourages networking and sharing ideas, making our workplace vibrant and dynamic. The benefits of joining ServiceNow extend beyond comprehensive health and wellness; they include fostering professional connections and friendships that last a lifetime.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, ServiceNow offers a range of employment options to suit your career goals. From internships that provide real-world experience to full-time positions that challenge you to leverage your expertise, we are committed to hiring the best talent.

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Learn more about ServiceNow
Size
16,881 employees
Market Cap
$76.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$118.5 million
Founded
2004
5 Year Trend
+33.5%
Revenue
$4.5 billion
NASDAQ

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