Senior Threat Intelligence Research Engineer

Join Fortinet, a cybersecurity pioneer with over two decades of excellence, as we continue to shape the future of cybersecurity and redefine the intersection of networking and security. At Fortinet, our mission is to safeguard people, devices, and data everywhere. We are currently seeking a dynamic FortiGuard Senior Threat Intelligence Research Engineer  to contribute to the success of our rapidly growing business. FortiGuard SE team is a special strategic engagement team, specialized in FortiGuard support and threat expertise including threat intelligence/campaign awareness, exploits and penetration testing, artificial intelligence and advanced malware concepts. Since this team engages externally, candidates must have some soft skills and be willing to speak, network and travel while applying expert industry knowledge at both high- and low-level articulation. 

This role is ideal for cybersecurity professionals with a strong background in offensive security, adversarial AI, and hands-on threat intelligence. The position involves designing and delivering advanced technical workshops, demos, and Capture-the-Flag (CTF) challenges that simulate real-world threat scenarios across domains such as Active Directory exploitation, malware emulation, and AI model manipulation. The ideal candidate should have experience building and maintaining cyber labs using technologies like Active Directory, SQL, Docker, and Kubernetes, as well as familiarity with malware reverse engineering, darknet investigations, and threat hunting practices. This role supports presales efforts for large revenue opportunities, bridging subject matter expertise for a focus on technical enablement, thought leadership, and content creation that empowers security practitioners and enhances Fortinet’s brand. Support for executive briefings (EBCs) will also be required, with emphasis will be on building strategic assets and delivering value through high-impact demonstrations. 

Candidates should be comfortable presenting to technical and business stakeholders alike, collaborating across teams, and contributing to FortiGuard’s mission of disrupting adversaries through intelligence-driven defense. The ideal candidate will be deeply enthusiastic about thinking outside the box—bringing creativity and innovation to how threat intelligence, threat hunting, and adversary tradecraft are applied in real-world environments.

A core focus of the role will be on enabling and accelerating SecOps-driven engagements, positioning Fortinet’s advanced threat detection, response, and automation capabilities as critical components of the customer’s security operations strategy. This position will act as a trusted advisor and Subject Matter Expert (SME) in FortiGuard Labs and Threat Intelligence, interfacing closely with FortiGuard R&D to bring cutting-edge threat insights and research directly into the field to support high-impact opportunities.

FortiGuard Services offer broad security solutions including antivirus, intrusion prevention, Web content filtering and anti-spam capabilities. These services help protect against threats on both application and network layers. FortiGuard Services are updated by FortiGuard Labs, which enables Fortinet to deliver a combination of multi-layered security intelligence and zero-day protection from new and emerging threats. 

As a FortiGuard Senior Threat Intelligence Research Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Ideal Candidate should be based in California, supporting presales effort in region to drive revenue growth and be expected to travel up to 50% of their time. 
• The FortiGuard SE must have a clear understanding of advanced threat in cyber including understanding advanced cyber-attacks, understanding adversarial AI techniques and ML models, being able to create labs and demos, being able to work with Fortinet products to showcase mitigation techniques. 
• The FortiGuard SE must be an excellent speaker who can articulate technical concepts into appropriate terms for a given target audience. 
• The FortiGuard SE will be a technical resource focused on FortiGuard services & technology (primarily AI, Antivirus, IPS, Webfiltering, Antispam) and threat intelligence
• Liaison and support strategic relationships for AMER region, including key threat intelligence vertical ISACs.
• Act as a technical mentor and resource for sales engineers, partners, and marketing teams, particularly around emerging threats and adversarial use of AI.
• Contribute to thought leadership efforts through blog posts, webinars, research content, and conference presentations.
• Work with marketing group to create leads from existing security alliances and relationships. 
• Create new content for use in presentations, whitepapers, and so forth. 
• Deliver technical presentations, webcasts and SE/sales knowledge transfer
• Demonstrate FortiGuard security concepts in relation to Fortinet product, most importantly APT and threat intelligence.
• Subject matter expertise including lab development, reverse engineering/malware analysis and threat hunting with part of the role working on these projects. 

 We are looking for:

• Technical presentation skills translated to a C-level environment are a must; act as a leading industry and subject matter expert. 
• 10+ years of experience in industry with similar presentation experience. 
• Understand malware and sandbox concepts (PE32/64 Windows); ARM/mobile is a bonus.
• Understand security vulnerability and exploit lifecycle.
• Penetration testing framework (ie: Metasploit) experience is a valuable asset 
• Networking concepts is essential. 
• Candidates should feel comfortable interpedently researching cyber, hacking, and AI topics, creating labs, demos, and training, and creating CTF programs. 
• Articulate and comfortable presenting to groups; ability to communicate effectively to technical and business leaders. 
• Clear understanding of competitive landscape and differentiators in regard to APT defense. 
• Work closely with the SE/CSE community, to ensure the growth of the associated products and accounts in their region.
• Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience. Graduate degree preferred.

About Our Team:

Join our team, known for its collaborative ethos, working seamlessly with global customers, internal engineering teams and product development groups. Our team culture emphasizes continuous learning, innovation, and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. We embrace Fortinet’s core values of openness, teamwork and innovation, fostering an environment where team members support each other, share knowledge, and leverage AI to solve complex technical challenges. Our inclusive and dynamic team thrives on collaboration and is driven by the shared goal of maintaining Fortinet’s high standards of excellence in cybersecurity solutions.

Why Join Us:

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply. We offer a supportive work environment and a competitive Total Rewards package to support you with your overall health and financial well-being. Embark on a challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding career journey with Fortinet. Join us in bringing solutions that make a meaningful and lasting impact to our 660,000+ customers around the globe.

Fortinet offers employees a variety of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), 11 paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time as well as a comprehensive leave program.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship

Wage ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, and job level. On target earnings for this position is expected to be $245,000 - $312,000 per year. Exact salary offers will be determined by factors such as the candidate's subject knowledge, skill level, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.

All roles are eligible to participate in the Fortinet equity program, and this position is also eligible for commissions based on the terms of the Sales Compensation Plan