Detection & Response Engineer

Job Application for Detection & Response Engineer at xAI

Detection & Response Engineer Palo Alto, CA

ABOUT xAI

xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We are seeking a skilled and proactive Detection & Response Engineer to join our security team. In this critical role, you will be responsible for detecting, investigating, and responding to security incidents across our cloud-native and AI-focused infrastructure. You will play a key part in safeguarding our innovative technologies and sensitive data.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Monitor and analyze security alerts and logs to identify potential threats and anomalies

Develop, implement, and maintain detection rules and correlation logic in our SIEM platform

Conduct thorough investigations of security incidents, performing root cause analysis and impact assessments

Lead incident response efforts, coordinating with relevant teams to contain and mitigate threats

Create and maintain incident response playbooks and runbooks

Perform regular threat hunting activities to proactively identify potential security risks

Develop and refine metrics and reporting to track the effectiveness of detection and response capabilities

Collaborate with other security teams to improve overall security posture and incident handling processes

Stay current with emerging threats, attack techniques, and defensive strategies in the cloud-native and AI domains

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field

3-5 years of experience in security operations, incident response, or a similar role

Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles, attack techniques, and defensive strategies

Proficiency in at least one scripting language (e.g., Python, Rust) for automation and tool development

Experience with SIEM platforms and log analysis tools

Familiarity with cloud environments (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) and their security features

Knowledge of network protocols, system administration, and common attack vectors

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail

Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively under pressure

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Relevant security certifications (e.g., GCIH, GCIA, SANS)

Experience with threat intelligence platforms and their integration into detection processes

Familiarity with AI/ML security implications, particularly those outlined in the OWASP LLM Top 10

Knowledge of software supply chain security and SBOM analysis

Experience with containerized environments and Kubernetes security

Experience in building custom security tools or integrations to enhance detection and response capabilities

Interest in leveraging AI to improve threat detection and automate response processes

Contributions to open-source security projects or threat research

Experience with digital forensics and malware analysis

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

$200,000 - $340,000 USD

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package at xAI, which also includes equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and various other discounts and perks.

xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice .

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