Principal, AI Security Engineer

Principal, AI Security Engineer

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

As a Principal Information Security Engineer specializing in AI Security, you will serve as a recognized technical authority responsible for defining and advancing the enterprise AI security strategy. You will lead the design of scalable security architectures, drive innovation in AI security capabilities, influence organizational security standards, and provide expert guidance on securing AI systems across the enterprise. This role requires deep expertise in AI technologies, emerging threat landscapes, secure system design, and risk management, coupled with the ability to shape long-term security direction and mentor senior technical practitioners.

Key Responsibilities

• Security Architecture Design
• Vulnerability Assessment
• Secure AI Development
• Compliance and Standards
• Research and Innovation
• Documentation and Reporting
• Advisory and Support
• Technical Leadership and Mentorship
• Experimentation and POCs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Security, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in information security, including significant experience leading AI security, application security, or security architecture initiatives at enterprise scale.
• Deep expertise in AI technologies, machine learning systems, large language models, AI agents, data protection, and secure software engineering practices.
• Demonstrated success in defining security strategy, security architectures, and governance frameworks for complex technology environments.
• Strong knowledge of AI security threat modeling, adversarial machine learning, model security, data security, secure deployment architectures, and cloud security.
• Proven ability to influence technical direction and drive adoption of security standards across diverse engineering organizations.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience presenting technical concepts, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations to senior executives and technical leadership.
• Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, OSCP, GIAC certifications, AI Security certifications, or equivalent are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated leadership in industry forums, research publications, open-source contributions, standards development, or other thought leadership activities is preferred.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.

In line with Mastercard's total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire;

10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more. Mastercard benefits for interns generally include: 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time; jury duty leave; and on-site fitness facilities in some locations.

Pay Ranges

O'Fallon, Missouri: $170,000 - $281,000 USD