As a Security Engineer at Palantir Technologies, your daily activities will vary based on your specific focus area, but several core responsibilities tie the security organization together.

You will design, build, and maintain security controls and detection mechanisms across Palantir Technologies internal infrastructure and customer-facing platforms. This involves writing code to automate security configurations, deploy detection rules, and build self-service tools that enable development teams to move quickly without compromising security.

Collaboration is central to this role. You will partner closely with product engineering teams to conduct threat modeling assessments, review system architectures, and provide actionable guidance on secure coding practices. When security incidents occur, you will participate in or lead response efforts, performing deep technical investigations to identify root causes and implementing long-term architectural fixes to prevent recurrence.

Additionally, you will help maintain the integrity of Palantir Technologies software supply chain. This includes securing CI/CD pipelines, managing third-party dependency risks, and ensuring that deployment frameworks like Apollo deploy software securely to highly restricted government and commercial environments.

The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in computer science combined with a passion for security. Palantir Technologies looks for engineers who are eager to take ownership of complex problems and drive them to resolution.

• Must-have skills – Proficiency in at least one programming language (such as Python, Go, Java, or C++), solid understanding of operating system internals (Windows, Linux, or macOS), and a strong grasp of networking protocols and security fundamentals.
• Nice-to-have skills – Experience working in highly regulated environments (e.g., FedRAMP, DoD Impact Levels), deep knowledge of cloud security architectures (AWS, Azure, or GCP), and familiarity with containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience level – While requirements vary by seniority, successful candidates typically have a proven track record of solving complex security challenges, whether through professional experience, academic research, or notable contributions to the security community.

Q: How difficult are the coding rounds for the Security Engineer position? The coding rounds are practical and engineering-focused rather than highly theoretical. You will not typically face complex dynamic programming puzzles, but you must be highly proficient in data manipulation, file parsing, and writing clean, structured code to solve realistic security-themed problems.

Q: Can I choose my programming language during the technical interviews? Yes, you can generally use any mainstream programming language that you are most comfortable with, such as Python, Go, Java, or C++. It is highly recommended to choose a language with strong standard library support for string manipulation and data structure operations.

Q: What differentiates candidates who receive offers from those who do not? Successful candidates demonstrate strong ownership, deep curiosity, and the ability to think like an builder and an attacker simultaneously. They do not just identify security flaws; they propose elegant, automated engineering solutions to eliminate entire classes of vulnerabilities.

Q: How should I prepare for the system design and threat modeling portions? Focus on understanding the architectural trade-offs of modern distributed systems. Practice drawing out system diagrams, identifying trust boundaries, analyzing data flows, and systematically applying security controls like encryption, authentication, and logging at each layer.

To maximize your performance during the interview process, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Think out loud: Your interviewers want to understand your thought process. Explain your assumptions, why you are choosing a specific data structure, and how you are evaluating the security trade-offs of your decisions in real time.
• Focus on automation: Whenever you design a security control or remediation plan, emphasize how you would automate it. Palantir Technologies values scalable engineering solutions over manual operational tasks.
• Clarify ambiguous requirements: Security challenges are often open-ended. Ask clarifying questions at the start of each interview round to define the scope and constraints before diving into your solution.

• Brush up on system internals: Understanding how operating systems manage memory, processes, and network connections is invaluable for both the detection engineering and application security rounds.

A Security Engineer role at Palantir Technologies offers an unparalleled opportunity to work on some of the most challenging and impactful security problems in the industry. By securing platforms that support vital global operations, your work will have a tangible impact on the safety and stability of critical institutions worldwide.

To prepare effectively, focus on solidifying your coding fundamentals, practicing threat modeling on distributed architectures, and refining your ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly. Approach your interviews with confidence, curiosity, and a commitment to engineering excellence.

For additional real-world interview insights, detailed community feedback, and preparation resources, you can explore the comprehensive database available on Dataford to further refine your preparation strategy.

The salary ranges provided represent the base compensation for Security Engineer positions across various US locations, including New York and Washington, DC. When evaluating your overall compensation package, remember that Palantir Technologies typically includes equity components and comprehensive benefits that significantly enhance the total value of the offer. Your specific offer will depend on your depth of experience, technical performance during the interviews, and the specific focus area of the role.