Staff Engineer - Offensive Security

See yourself at Twilio

Join the team as Twilio’s next Staff Offensive Security Engineer.

About the job

The Staff Engineer acts as a Technical Lead. You don't just find bugs; you design complex attack chains that demonstrate systemic risk. You spend as much time writing custom code and researching new bypasses as you do executing tests.

Responsibilities

In this role, you’ll:

• Full-Stack Penetration Testing: Perform manual and automated testing of web applications, APIs, and mobile apps (iOS/Android).
• Internal/External Network Audits: Conduct network and cloud level assessments with various tooling
• Vulnerability Validation: Triage and validate reports from automated scanners or bug bounty hunters to eliminate false positives and escalate true positives
• AI/LLM Probing: Perform initial prompt injection and jailbreak tests on AI prototypes, services, and applications using established checklists (OWASP Top 10 for LLMs).
• Technical Reporting: Draft high-quality reports that detail the "path to compromise" with clear, reproducible steps for developers.
• Tool Maintenance: Manage and update the team's testing infrastructure (e.g., Burp Suite, and basic C2 listeners).
• Remediation Support: Provide direct technical guidance to engineering teams on how to patch vulnerabilities like XSS, SQLi, and IDOR.
• Adversary Emulation: Design and lead multi-week Red Team operations that mimic specific threat actors (APTs) to test the SIRT detection capabilities.
• Custom Exploit Development: Build custom payloads, droppers, and obfuscated scripts to bypass EDR/AV and maintain stealth.
• AI Red Teaming Architecture: Build automated testing frameworks for AI systems (e.g., using PyRIT, Promptfoo, or Garak) to test for models related to sensitive data leakage.
• Cloud & Infrastructure Attacks: Execute sophisticated attacks against AWS/Azure/K8s, focusing on IAM misconfigurations and container escapes.
• Purple Teaming: Collaborate with SIRT and Detection Engineering to tune SIEM alerts based on the techniques used during an engagement.
• Strategic Bug Bounty Management: Oversee the organization's bug bounty program, identifying trends in submissions to suggest broad architectural security changes.

Qualifications

Twilio values diverse experiences from all kinds of industries, and we encourage everyone who meets the required qualifications to apply. If your career is just starting or hasn't followed a traditional path, don't let that stop you from considering Twilio. We are always looking for people who will bring something new to the table!

*Required

• Experience: 7-10 years in offensive security, penetration testing, a high-volume bug bounty background, AppSec, or vulnerability exploitation, and track record of finding high/critical vulnerabilities in complex environments using pentesting commercial or custom tools.
• Concepts: Expert Knowledge and  solid understanding of the MITRE ATT&CK matrix and the OWASP Top 10 for web applications and top 10 for LLMs, post exploitation (lateral movement, persistence, data exfiltration) and Adversarial ML.
• Tooling: Proficient in OffSec popular tools like Burp Suite professional, Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark etc... and AI security tools such as LangChain, TensorFlow for adversarial testing or, as well as use of C2 frameworks (Cobalt Strike, Sliver, Havoc) or similar tools
• Scripting and Coding: Ability to write functional scripts in Python or Bash to automate repetitive testing tasks and proficiency in coding and scripting like Python, C++, and scripting for creating custom offensive exploits that avoids signature-based detection.
• Certifications: Possession of advanced industry certifications such as OSCP, OSEP, OSWE, GXPN or similar training in OffSec tracks is highly desirable
• Telecom expertise is preferred

Desired

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence and build effective working relationships with all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in multiple languages applicable to the region.
• Familiarity with localization tactics to ensure our content is accessible and inclusive across multiple APJ countries.

Location

This role will be remote, but is not eligible to be hired in CA, CT, NJ, NY, PA, WA. 

Travel

We prioritize connection and opportunities to build relationships with our customers and each other. For this role, you may be required to travel occasionally to participate in project or team in-person meetings.

What We Offer

Working at Twilio offers many benefits, including competitive pay, generous time off, ample parental and wellness leave, healthcare, a retirement savings program, and much more. Offerings vary by location.

Compensation

The estimated pay ranges for this role are as follows:

• Based in Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont or Washington D.C. : $155,520.00 - $194,400.00.
• Based in New York, New Jersey, Washington State, or California (outside of the San Francisco Bay area): $164,640.00 - $205,800.00.
• Based in the San Francisco Bay area, California: $182,960.00 - $228,700.00.
• This role may be eligible to participate in Twilio’s equity plan and corporate bonus plan. All roles are generally eligible for the following benefits: health care insurance, 401(k) retirement account, paid sick time, paid personal time off, paid parental leave.

The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.

Applications for this role are intended to be accepted until 31st August 2026, but may change based on business needs.