Staff Cloud Security Engineer

Job Overview

Grindr is an AI-native platform powering how millions of gay people connect globally. With 15M+ monthly users, 130B+ annual messages, and a team of fewer than 200, we move fast, stay lean, and tackle technical problems at a scale few companies ever see.

As a Staff Cloud Security Engineer at Grindr, you will be a driving force in fortifying the platform that supports over 15 million monthly active users worldwide. In this high-impact role, you’ll partner with engineering, platform, and IT operations teams to protect our cloud and container environments, drive incident response and observability, and shape the future of cybersecurity at Grindr. You will help lead the strategy for cloud, infrastructure, and container security while enhancing our monitoring and response capabilities through cutting-edge tools and automation. This is a rare opportunity to have a tangible impact on the security and privacy of a global, mission-driven organization.

At Grindr, we operate in Grindr Mode. Moderately hardcore day to day, truly hardcore when it counts. It’s about doing great work without burning out. Outcomes over outputs. Smart, driven people who raise your bar, with room to live full lives.

This is a hybrid role based in our Chicago or Palo Alto offices and will require you to be in person Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Key Responsibilities

• Cloud Security Strategy & Architecture: Design and implement AWS security frameworks, policies, and best practices. Collaborate with architects and leadership to embed security into cloud design and deployments.


• Infrastructure & Network Security: Secure AWS environments including VPCs, firewalls, and routing. Apply controls to protect infrastructure and mitigate network risks.


• Container & Kubernetes Security: Define and implement security for containerized workloads and Kubernetes clusters. Partner with DevOps to secure CI/CD pipelines.


• Security Monitoring & SIEM: Manage observability and SIEM tools for real-time threat detection. Build dashboards and alerts, and support incident response through data correlation.


• Incident Response & Compliance: Lead investigations and remediation efforts. Ensure ongoing compliance with standards like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.


• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with engineering and operations teams to align security practices. Contribute to reviews, planning, and mentor junior staff.


• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Evaluate new tools and drive automation, orchestration, and visibility improvements. Maintain security documentation and playbooks.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on experience in cloud security, with extensive expertise in AWS.


• Proven track record in securing cloud infrastructure, networking, and containerized environments.


• Deep knowledge of AWS services, including IAM, EC2, VPC, S3, Lambda, CloudTrail, and other related tools.


• Extensive experience with SIEM, security observability platforms, and real-time threat monitoring.


• Solid understanding of network protocols, firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection/prevention systems.


• Experience with security frameworks, compliance standards, and industry best practices.


• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.


• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Security – Specialty, CISSP, or CISM.


• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) and automation tools.


• Familiarity with security information and event management (SIEM) tools and practices.


• Hands-on experience with Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms.


• Proven ability to work collaboratively in cross-functional teams, especially with Platform, DevOps, and IT Operations.


• Demonstrated expertise in threat modeling, penetration testing, and vulnerability management.


• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.

Benefits and Perks

• Health, Dental & Vision Full premium coverage for you. Partial coverage for dependents.


• Family Formation Up to $200,000 in fertility and family-building support, covering IVF, surrogacy, egg freezing, and adoption.


• Retirement: 401(k) with 6% match and immediate vesting.


• Compensation: Industry-competitive compensation, company bonus, and equity for every employee.


• Gender-Affirming Care : Industry-leading gender-affirming offerings with up to 90% cost coverage, access to Included Health, monthly stipends for HRT, and more.


• Time Off & Rest Flexible vacation policy. Two company-wide rest weeks per year.


• Other Benefits: Monthly stipends for cell phone, internet, wellness, food, and commuting, breakfast/lunch

About Grindr

Grindr is building the global gayborhood in your pocket. With more than 15 million monthly active users, Grindr has become a fundamental part of the gay community and is charting a path to make the world more free, equal, and just.

As a public company, we're moving into the next chapter: becoming an AI-native organization that's redefining what's possible for our community. We're embedding AI into our product and operations, moving with startup speed while operating at scale.

Everything we do is rooted in impact for our users and outcomes for the business. This isn't social work, it’s impact through excellence. Business success is what gives us the power to serve our community and the seat at tables others can't reach. How we work is defined by Grindr Mode, our operating model that's moderately hardcore day-to-day and truly hardcore when it counts. We think like owners, drive real outcomes, create clarity through action, and push each other to go further than we thought possible.

We’re headquartered in West Hollywood with offices in the Bay Area, Chicago, and New York. Our work extends beyond the product through Grindr for Equality, our nonprofit that's partnered with 100+ community organizations globally to advance safety, health, and human rights for LGBTQ+ people worldwide.

We're profitable, growing, and building a team of smart, driven people who bring different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to the work. Want to build technology at a massive scale that serves millions? Come join us!

Grindr is an equal-opportunity employer.