Lead Security Software Engineer (Apex Legends)

We’re looking for a highly skilled Lead Senior Security Engineer that can work across multiple groups and technologies. This role will focus on the design, delivery, and practice of essential security systems and their implementations for the benefit of the Apex Legends franchise at Respawn Entertainment. This talented individual will apply their years of engineering and live service experience to design, document, and deliver tools, systems, and services while reporting to the Head of Online Services. If this sounds like you, we would love to meet you.

What you will do...

• Architect, design, and implement security features for both client-side and server-side components of our FPS game to safeguard against sophisticated cheats, exploits, and vulnerabilities.
• Analyze advanced security threats and develop robust mitigation strategies using your extensive experience in security engineering.
• Conduct reverse engineering of security threats, including game exploits, memory manipulation, and network vulnerabilities.
• Design and maintain real-time monitoring and detection systems for cheat prevention and rapid incident response.
• Develop secure systems for in-game communications to prevent data breaches, man-in-the-middle attacks, and other networking threats.
• Design, document and maintain security policies, procedures, and guidelines and associated technical diagrams.
• Collaborate with the broader game development and operations teams to ensure secure code and feature updates while minimizing downtime.
• Build and deploy automated security testing frameworks for vulnerability scanning, code audits, and compliance.
• Respond to security incidents and provide expertise for incident response and forensic investigations.
• Lead a team of software engineers providing mentorship and guidance in security best practices and play an active role in shaping their professional future.
• Closely align with studio technical leadership and other representatives to shape the game platform.

Ideally, you will have…

• 8-10 years of experience in software security, specifically focusing on multiplayer gaming or large-scale online services.
• Expertise in securing client-server architectures and multiplayer environments with a deep understanding of FPS game mechanics and cheat/exploit methodologies.
• Extensive experience with C++, Lua, Python, or other relevant programming languages, along with strong system-level programming skills.
• Advanced knowledge of game anti-cheat systems and reverse engineering tools and techniques, such as memory injection, packet spoofing, and debugging.
• Demonstrated experience with cryptography, digital signatures, and security frameworks designed to protect sensitive data.
• Proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, etc.) and securing highly scalable infrastructure, including containerized environments.
• Strong understanding of operating systems, kernel-level security, and multi-threaded programming concepts.
• Experience implementing security policies and procedures for large, complex gaming environments with millions of concurrent users.

Other qualities we look for…

• Proven track record of designing, deploying, and maintaining secure systems in a high-traffic, mission-critical gaming environment.
• A passion for FPS games, along with a deep understanding of their security challenges and player interactions.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities to foster a security-first mindset across development teams.
• Effective communication skills to work with cross-functional teams and explain complex security concepts in simple terms.
• Continuous drive to stay current with emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and innovations in the gaming security landscape.
• Ability to think creatively and anticipate potential threats while working in a fast-paced environment with millions of active players.
• A champion of psychological safety

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COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The base salary ranges listed below are for the defined geographic market pay zones in these locations. If you reside outside of these locations, a recruiter will advise on the range and benefits for your specific location.

EA has listed the base salary ranges it in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in the locations listed, as of the time of this posting. Pay offered will be determined based on numerous relevant business and candidate factors including, for example, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs.

BASE SALARY RANGES

• California (depending on location e.g. Los Angeles vs. Sacramento):
º $185,300 - $278,800 USD Annually
• British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria):
º $160,200 - $229,100 CAN Annually

Base salary is just one part of the overall compensation at EA. In the US, we offer a package of benefits including paid time off (3 weeks per year to start), 80 hours per year of sick time, 16 paid company holidays per year, 10 weeks paid time off to bond with baby, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity. For British Columbia, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top-up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity. "