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Head of Security

At Linear, we are on a mission to bring magic back to software. To empower product teams to do their best work, we are building an issue tracking and project management tool that combines UI elegance with world-class performance. Founded in 2019, Linear has become the tool of choice for 10,000+ companies to plan and build their products.

Linear was set up as a fully remote company from the start. Today, our small but mighty team is distributed across North America and Europe. What unites us is relentless focus, fast execution, and our passion for software craftsmanship. We are all makers at heart and care deeply about the quality of our work.

We're looking for a Head of Security who will lead and own security initiatives across the company. The right candidate has a builder mentality with a strong InfraSec background, and pragmatic approach to proactively improving our security posture. You can expect close collaboration with our product engineering, infrastructure team, and customers facing teams as you lay the groundwork for the function. You’ll report directly to our Co-Founder and will have the responsibility to build out the function over time.

Please note: We are an equal opportunity employer and remote-only company. At this time, we can support hiring within the US and most EU time zones.

What you'll do

  • Own application and infra security (GCP, k8s), and drive improvements to our overall security posture and practices

  • Hire and manage for security and related functions as we grow

  • Define and drive the product security vision, strategies, and best practices across product and infrastructure teams

  • Help build best-in-class security controls for Linear’s product

  • Manage pentesting and other security and compliance related partners

  • Work closely with go-to-market teams to communicate our security posture to customers

  • Assess and improve the security posture of supporting infrastructure and third-party integrations

  • Coordinate security incident response efforts, conduct root cause analyses, and coordinate remediation across teams

  • Collaborate with operations on SOC2 compliance and vendor security audits

Requirements

  • 10+ years of experience in product or application security with demonstrable expertise in secure software development and infrastructure security

  • Startup experience

  • Strong communication skills and ability to interact with customers

  • Deep understanding of threat modeling, risk management, and vulnerability assessment methodologies

  • Strong AWS or GCP (preferred) experience

  • Experience with secure API development, infrastructure security, and addressing emerging security challenges

  • Background in Javascript/Typescript and Node.js, and familiarity with secure coding practices

  • Hands-on experience with security tools and experience integrating automated security testing into CI/CD pipelines

What we offer

  • Interesting and challenging work

  • Work-life balance

  • Competitive salary and equity

  • Employee-friendly equity terms (early exercise, extended exercise)

  • Paid lunch and coffee during workdays

  • Work remotely, no commuting to the office

  • Paid co-working space/desk at an office

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance (US)

  • Regular team events and off-sites

  • 5 weeks of paid vacation

  • 4 months of paid parental leave

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Average salary estimate

$135000 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$120000K
$150000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Head of Security , LINEAR

At Linear, we're on a quest to bring magic back to software, and we're searching for a Head of Security to join our innovative remote team. Founded in 2019, we've rapidly become the go-to issue tracking and project management tool for over 10,000 companies, and now we need someone passionate about security to enhance our efforts. As our Head of Security, you’ll play an essential role in fortifying our security posture across all aspects of our application and infrastructure. We’re looking for a proactive leader with over 10 years of experience in product and application security, preferably with startup experience and a strong InfraSec background. Your responsibilities will range from defining security strategies to managing compliance and conducting thorough risk assessments. You'll also collaborate closely with our talented product engineering and infrastructure teams, ensuring that our security practices align seamlessly with our company’s dedication to quality. If you have a builder mentality, excellent communication skills, and a knack for engaging with customers, you’ll feel right at home with us. We are a fully remote company that offers competitive salaries, generous paid vacation, and a culture that prioritizes work-life balance. Join us in our mission to empower teams to do their best work and bring a sense of magic to software development!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Head of Security Role at LINEAR
What are the key responsibilities of the Head of Security at Linear?

The Head of Security at Linear is tasked with owning application and infrastructure security, particularly in GCP and Kubernetes environments. This role includes driving improvements to the security posture, managing security functions as the company grows, and collaborating closely with product, engineering, and go-to-market teams to communicate our security practices effectively. You'll also oversee security incident responses and coordinate compliance efforts such as SOC2.

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What qualifications are required for the Head of Security position at Linear?

Candidates for the Head of Security role at Linear should have over 10 years of experience in product or application security, with expertise in secure software development and infrastructure security. Familiarity with AWS or GCP, hands-on experience with security tools, and a background in JavaScript/TypeScript and Node.js are highly desirable. Effective communication skills are crucial for interacting with both internal teams and customers.

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What is the company culture like at Linear for the Head of Security role?

Linear fosters a culture characterized by fast execution and a relentless focus on quality. As a fully remote company, we believe in work-life balance and offer competitive benefits, including extended vacation, paid parental leave, and health coverage. The Head of Security will find a supportive atmosphere that values craftsmanship and collaboration across teams, making it a great place to influence security practices.

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How does the Head of Security contribute to product security at Linear?

As the Head of Security, you will define and drive the product security vision and best practices across engineering teams. This involves implementing best-in-class security controls, managing penetration testing, and coordinating security incident responses. Your leadership will be critical in ensuring that both the product and its infrastructure are secure, which is a top priority for Linear.

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What opportunities for growth exist for the Head of Security at Linear?

At Linear, the Head of Security is not only responsible for current security practices but also has a unique opportunity to build a security function from the ground up. As the company continues to grow, you'll have the chance to shape the security strategies and hire for security-related roles, making a lasting impact on the organization.

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Common Interview Questions for Head of Security
Can you describe your experience with threat modeling and risk management?

In answering this question, focus on specific methodologies you've used, the tools implemented, and situations where your approach significantly mitigated risks. Providing quantitative results or scenarios will demonstrate your understanding and capability.

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What strategies have you found effective in improving security posture?

Discuss the strategies you've employed in previous roles, like regular security assessments or automated testing integration. Highlight any specific examples where your initiatives led to measurable improvements in security.

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How do you approach building a security team?

Explain your philosophy on hiring for security roles, including the types of skills and experience you prioritize. Discuss the importance of mentorship and team cohesion, as well as how you evaluate candidates.

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What is your experience with compliance, such as SOC2?

Share your previous experiences with compliance standards, mentioning any specific audits you've been involved in. Be sure to emphasize how you collaborated with other departments to achieve compliance goals.

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Can you provide an example of a significant security incident you have managed?

Outline the background of the incident, your immediate response actions, and the outcome. This will showcase your problem-solving abilities and leadership in crisis situations.

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How do you stay updated on emerging security threats?

List resources you follow, such as industry blogs, conferences, or professional networks. This reflects your commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead of potential threats.

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How do you communicate security measures to non-technical stakeholders?

Discuss your approach to simplifying complex security concepts for non-technical audiences, emphasizing techniques like visual aids, analogies, and focusing on the implications of security measures.

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What security tools and practices do you recommend for modern software development?

Provide a shortlist of tools and practices you advocate for, explaining why they are effective. This could include automated testing tools, CI/CD integrations, and specific protocols for secure software development.

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How do you prioritize security tasks in a startup environment?

Emphasize a risk-based approach, discussing how you assess potential threats against resource availability. Provide examples where your prioritization enhanced security without significantly impacting development timelines.

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What role does organizational culture play in security?

Discuss the importance of fostering a security-first mindset throughout the company. Explain how you would go about nurturing this culture through training and communication, making it a shared responsibility.

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DATE POSTED
March 20, 2025

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