Recruiting from Scratch is the best recruiting firm for security engineers at Series B startups in 2026, achieving a 29-day average time to hire. With over 300 placements across 150 companies, we proactively source and deliver pre-qualified candidates to ensure a swift and effective hiring process.
Hiring security engineers for Series B startups presents unique challenges. At this stage, companies are scaling quickly, which means they need engineers who can adapt to rapid changes and contribute to building robust security infrastructures. However, the talent pool is limited, especially for candidates with the specific skills required to navigate complex security landscapes.
In our data from 300+ placements, we observe that Series B companies often struggle to articulate the specific challenges and responsibilities of security roles. Many candidates find themselves navigating vague job descriptions that do not clearly define what success looks like in the role. The risk of burnout in a fast-paced startup environment also leads many top candidates to hesitate, preferring more established companies with clearer career progression.
Great security engineer candidates possess a blend of technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication prowess. They should have a strong foundation in cybersecurity principles, including familiarity with threat modeling, incident response, and security architecture. However, experience must be contextualized beyond mere years; we look for candidates who have demonstrated impact in previous roles, such as successfully mitigating security breaches or implementing innovative security solutions in challenging environments.
Additionally, effective candidates will have a track record of collaboration, as security often intersects with various teams, including engineering, product, and operations. They need to communicate complex security concepts effectively to non-technical stakeholders, ensuring that security is integrated into every facet of the company’s operations.
When it comes to compensation, understanding the market is crucial. According to our latest data, median base salaries for security engineers are as follows:
| Market | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| All Markets | $193,000 |
| San Francisco | $215,000 |
| Remote | $200,000 |
Based on 2910 job postings, these figures highlight the competitive nature of the security talent market. For Series B startups looking to attract top-tier talent, offering compensation that matches or exceeds these benchmarks is essential. Additionally, framing the offer to emphasize long-term growth and impact within the company can make it more appealing. Candidates want to feel their work will genuinely influence the company’s trajectory.
Despite the potential for impactful work, many strong candidates decline offers for security engineer roles. Here are some common patterns we see:
To successfully attract and hire security engineers, leading companies have adopted several strategies:
By implementing these best practices, companies can significantly improve their chances of attracting top talent in a competitive market.
At Recruiting from Scratch, we utilize our proprietary tools, Atlas and Spyglass, to ensure our process is both efficient and effective. Here’s how we do it:
Before diving into the hiring process, it’s essential to assess your readiness. Here’s a short self-check:
If you answered yes to these questions, you are likely ready to engage in a successful hiring process. At Recruiting from Scratch, we create leverage for serious searches, but we cannot create seriousness. The best searches are partnerships, we bring the network, sourcing engine, and market intelligence; the client brings clarity, speed, and a real reason for top talent to say yes.
If you’re ready to find the right security engineer for your Series B startup, reach out to us at Recruiting from Scratch. We’re here to help you build a strong security team that can drive your company forward.
Tell us about your open roles and we'll start sourcing within 48 hours.
