Lead Solution Adoption Engineer

Job Description:

We’re actively seeking a talented Lead Development Excellence Engineer with focus on applied Gen AI to application security to join our Engineering Excellence team in Newport Beach, CA.

• This role is hybrid in our Newport Beach, CA office. This a contract to hire role.

As a Lead Engineer you’ll move Pacific Life, and your career, forward by driving AI-assisted development and innovation in application security, security engineering across Pacific Life’s global platforms and systems.

How you’ll help move us forward:

Key Responsibilities

Application Security Leadership

• Define, establish and evolve secure software development lifecycles (SSDLC), embedding security controls, threat modeling, and automated testing into every phase.
• Design and implement robust security strategies for GenAI systems, including model security, agentic behavior, and runtime protection.
• Conduct security reviews, penetration testing, and red teaming for AI/GenAI offerings.
• Build and deploy security automation, static/dynamic analysis, and frameworks that scale security controls across products.
• Mentor engineers in secure-by-design principles and best practices.

Developer Experience & Enablement

• Develop tools, frameworks, and platforms that empower developers to build secure, high-quality software efficiently.
• Lead the creation of developer-centric documentation, guidance, and education, making secure development the default, seamless path.
• Collaborate with product and UX teams to deliver accessible, user-friendly experiences for developers.
• Drive adoption of secure coding standards and practices across engineering teams.

GenAI Integration & Innovation

• Lead the integration of Generative AI into engineering workflows (code reviews, vulnerability detection, documentation, developer support).
• Evaluate and improve prompt performance and AI-driven workflows for developer productivity and security.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for LLM deployment, operation, and monitoring.
• Provide guidance for responsible GenAI adoption by establishing robust AI governance frameworks, ensuring model safety, and promoting ethical deployment practices.

Technical Strategy & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Own the engineering technical design of next-generation security and developer platforms from inception to production.
• Collaborate with product, infrastructure, compliance, and AI/ML teams to align technical strategy with business and regulatory goals.
• Represent the company in external forums, conferences, and open-source collaborations.

Mentorship & Thought Leadership

• Mentor senior engineers and technical leaders, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Stay abreast of emerging GenAI, developer experience, and cybersecurity technologies, proactively proposing innovative solutions.
• Act as a thought leader and ambassador, representing the company at industry events and in the broader tech community.

The experience you bring:

• Extensive Engineering Background: 15+ years of progressive engineering experience, including more than 5 years in senior security leadership positions, driving complex technical initiatives from concept to successful deployment.
• Proven Security Leadership: Demonstrated success in designing, and implementing secure, scalable systems in high-volume consumer-facing and cloud-native environments, ensuring robust protection against evolving threats.
• Specialized Security Expertise: Advanced proficiency in application security, threat modeling, secure architecture, and vulnerability management, with a track record of proactively identifying and mitigating risks across diverse technology stacks.
• GenAI Integration & Innovation: Practical experience working with leading GenAI frameworks (such as Llama, LangChain, and Semantic Kernel) to enhance secure software development, including the adoption of responsible AI practices and governance models.
• Strategic Communication & Influence: Outstanding communication and stakeholder management abilities, adept at aligning technical strategies and security objectives across cross-functional teams, business leaders, and external partners.
• AI Governance & Ethical Deployment: Extensive experience establishing and overseeing AI governance frameworks, ensuring model safety, ethical deployment, and compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• Mentorship & Thought Leadership: Committed mentor to senior engineers and technical leaders, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement while representing the organization at industry conferences and forums.
• Forward-Thinking Technologist: Continuously stays at the forefront of emerging GenAI, developer experience, and cybersecurity technologies, proactively proposing innovative solutions to address current and future security challenges.

Base Pay Range:

The base pay range noted represents the company’s good faith minimum and maximum range for this role at the time of posting. The actual compensation offered to a candidate will be dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to experience, qualifications and geographic location. Also, most employees are eligible for additional incentive pay.

Your Benefits Start Day 1  
 

Your wellbeing is important to Pacific Life, and we’re committed to providing you with flexible benefits that you can tailor to meet your needs. Whether you are focusing on your physical, financial, emotional, or social wellbeing, we’ve got you covered.

• Prioritization of your health and well-being including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Wellbeing Reimbursement Account that can be used on yourself or your eligible dependents

• Generous paid time off options including: Paid Time Off, Holiday Schedules, and Financial Planning Time Off

• Paid Parental Leave as well as an Adoption Assistance Program

• Competitive 401k savings plan with company match and an additional contribution regardless of participation

You Can Be Who You Are

We are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion that embraces the authenticity of all employees, partners and communities. We support all employees to thrive and achieve their fullest potential.

What’s life like at Pacific Life? Visit Instagram.com/lifeatpacificlife

EEO Statement:

Pacific Life Insurance Company is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer, M/F/D/V. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at Pacific Life Insurance Company.