Staff Security Engineer, Application Security

Join us in building the future of finance.

Our mission is to democratize finance for all. An estimated $124 trillion of assets will be inherited by younger generations in the next two decades. The largest transfer of wealth in human history. If you’re ready to be at the epicenter of this historic cultural and financial shift, keep reading.

About the team + role

We are building an elite team, applying frontier technologies to the world’s biggest financial problems. We’re looking for bold thinkers. Sharp problem-solvers. Builders who are wired to make an impact. Robinhood isn’t a place for complacency, it’s where ambitious people do the best work of their careers. We’re a high-performing, fast-moving team with ethics at the center of everything we do. Expectations are high, and so are the rewards.

The Product and Application Security team builds and operates systems that help engineers identify and resolve security risks earlier in the software development lifecycle. The team focuses on creating practical safeguards—such as libraries and frameworks—that make secure development the default. You’ll work closely with engineering teams to reduce risk at scale while supporting efficient product development.

As a Staff Security Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert, guiding how security is embedded into development practices across Robinhood. You will design and implement systems that provide clear security patterns for engineers, consult on architecture and threat models, and help shape long-term security strategy. This is a high-impact role with the opportunity to define how application security evolves across the company!

This role is based in our Menlo Park, CA office, with in-person attendance expected at least 3 days per week.

At Robinhood, we believe in the power of in-person work to accelerate progress, spark innovation, and strengthen community. Our office experience is intentional, energizing, and designed to fully support high-performing teams.

What you’ll do

• Design and build systems that help engineers identify and address security risks earlier in the development lifecycle

• Partner with product and engineering teams to review system designs, conduct threat modeling, and guide secure implementation

• Develop and maintain security guardrails, including shared libraries, frameworks, and automated checks used in production systems

• Lead initiatives such as AI security governance and automated secure design reviews

• Influence security practices across teams by providing guidance, setting standards, and improving adoption of secure development patterns

What you bring

• You have 8+ years of experience in application security, product security, or a related field

• You have strong experience identifying and addressing security risks earlier in the software development lifecycle

• You have experience building production-grade systems in Python or Go that other teams rely on

• You are comfortable leading technical initiatives across teams without direct authority

• You have experience working in environments that prioritize reliability and structured incident response practices

What we offer

• Challenging, high-impact work to grow your career

• Performance driven compensation with multipliers for outsized impact, bonus programs, equity ownership, and 401(k) matching

• Best in class benefits to fuel your work, including 100% paid health insurance for employees with 90% coverage for dependents

• Lifestyle wallet - a highly flexible benefits spending account for wellness, learning, and more

• Employer-paid life & disability insurance, fertility benefits, and mental health benefits

• Time off to recharge including company holidays, paid time off, sick time, parental leave, and more!

• Exceptional office experience with catered meals, events, and comfortable workspaces.

In addition to the base pay range listed below, this role is also eligible for bonus opportunities + equity + benefits.

Base pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. The expected base pay range for this role is based on the location where the work will be performed and is aligned to one of 3 compensation zones. For other locations not listed, compensation can be discussed with your recruiter during the interview process.

Base Pay Range:

Zone 1 (Menlo Park, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Washington, DC)
$217,000—$255,000 USD

Zone 2 (Denver, CO; Westlake, TX; Chicago, IL)
$190,000—$224,000 USD

Zone 3 (Lake Mary, FL; Clearwater, FL; Gainesville, FL)
$169,000—$199,000 USD

Click here to learn more about our Total Rewards, which vary by region and entity.

If our mission energizes you and you’re ready to build the future of finance, we look forward to seeing your application.

Robinhood provides equal opportunity for all applicants, offers reasonable accommodations upon request, and complies with applicable equal employment and privacy laws. Inclusion is built into how we hire and work—welcoming different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences so everyone can do their best. Please review the Privacy Policy for your country of application.