Threat Intelligence Analyst, SEAR - Job Opportunity at Apple Inc.

Washington, DC, US
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 14, 2025
Hybrid
USD 132,100 - 244,600 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive medical and dental coverage providing extensive healthcare security beyond standard industry offerings
Retirement benefits including 401(k) matching and pension plans ensuring long-term financial stability
Employee stock purchase plan with discount opportunities allowing direct investment in one of the world's most valuable companies
Restricted stock unit awards providing equity participation in Apple's continued growth and innovation
Educational expense reimbursement supporting continuous learning and career advancement in rapidly evolving cybersecurity field
Discounted Apple products and free services providing access to cutting-edge technology ecosystem
Discretionary bonuses and commission payments rewarding exceptional performance and contributions
Relocation assistance supporting talent acquisition from diverse geographic markets

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive threat intelligence analysis protecting over one billion Apple endpoints worldwide, directly impacting global user security and privacy
Drive cross-functional collaboration with security engineers and researchers to operationalize threat intelligence into strategic security engineering decisions across Apple's entire product ecosystem
Conduct in-depth investigation and analysis of sophisticated threat actor campaigns targeting macOS environments, including infrastructure analysis, malware reverse engineering, and endpoint forensics
Develop and implement innovative security methodologies and technologies addressing complex cybersecurity challenges specific to Apple's desktop computing environment
Provide strategic threat intelligence insights that inform security architecture decisions across Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV platforms
Lead rapid response initiatives to emerging threats, working autonomously within Apple's innovation-focused environment to deliver market-ready security solutions
Contribute to Apple's mission-critical security research efforts, influencing the broader cybersecurity industry through advanced threat detection and mitigation strategies

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Master's in related field or equivalent years of industry experience

Experience

Minimum of 4 years experience in threat intelligence or security research

Required Skills

In-depth understanding of the threat intelligence cycle and cyber operations Experience in analyzing highly-complex threat actor campaigns, including infrastructure, malware, and victim endpoints Demonstrable experience investigating macOS threat activity Intellectually curious team player with genuine passion for finding, understanding, and mitigating cyber threats against macOS Proven history of successfully working on solo and group projects in virtual/remote environment
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The cybersecurity threat landscape is experiencing unprecedented sophistication with nation-state actors and advanced persistent threats increasingly targeting consumer devices and operating systems, creating massive demand for specialized threat intelligence analysts who can understand and counter these evolving attack vectors. macOS-specific security expertise has become increasingly valuable as Apple's market share continues to grow and traditionally Mac-focused threats evolve from simple malware to complex, multi-stage attacks requiring deep platform knowledge and specialized analysis capabilities. The integration of threat intelligence into product development cycles represents a fundamental shift in how technology companies approach security, moving from reactive patching to proactive threat-informed design decisions that influence entire product ecosystems. Remote and hybrid work environments have accelerated the need for endpoint security specialists who can analyze threats across distributed computing environments, making skills in virtual collaboration and autonomous threat research increasingly critical for career advancement.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of $132,100 - $244,600 represents premium compensation that aligns with Apple's position as a top-tier technology employer, reflecting both the specialized nature of macOS threat intelligence work and the company's commitment to attracting world-class security talent in the competitive Washington, DC market.

Role Significance

The role likely involves working within a specialized team of 8-12 security researchers and analysts within the broader SEAR organization, with regular collaboration across multiple product teams and the opportunity to lead specific threat research initiatives or mentor junior analysts.
This mid-to-senior level position carries significant strategic weight within Apple's security organization, with direct influence on security decisions affecting billions of users and the authority to drive cross-functional initiatives that shape product security architecture across Apple's entire ecosystem.

Key Projects

Leading comprehensive threat landscape assessments for macOS environments, including analysis of emerging attack vectors, vulnerability research, and development of proactive defense strategies Developing and implementing threat intelligence frameworks that integrate with Apple's product development lifecycle, ensuring security considerations are embedded in design decisions from conception to deployment Conducting advanced malware analysis and reverse engineering projects focused on macOS-specific threats, contributing to Apple's broader understanding of platform-specific attack methodologies Creating and maintaining threat intelligence feeds and indicators that support both internal security teams and potentially contribute to industry-wide threat sharing initiatives

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in macOS internals, system architecture, and security mechanisms is absolutely critical, as the role requires understanding how threats interact with Apple's unique hardware and software integration approaches. Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities are essential for dissecting complex, multi-stage attack campaigns and identifying subtle indicators of compromise that might be missed by automated systems. Excellent communication skills are vital for translating technical threat intelligence findings into actionable recommendations for diverse stakeholders, from engineering teams to executive leadership. Adaptability and continuous learning mindset are crucial given the rapidly evolving threat landscape and Apple's culture of innovation, requiring professionals who can quickly master new attack vectors and defense technologies. Collaborative leadership skills are important for driving cross-functional initiatives and influencing security decisions across multiple product teams without direct authority over those teams.

Market Demand

Demand for threat intelligence analysts with macOS expertise is exceptionally high, driven by Apple's expanding enterprise presence, increasing sophistication of Mac-targeted threats, and the relatively small pool of professionals with deep macOS security knowledge compared to Windows-focused analysts.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Deep macOS knowledge is absolutely essential because Apple's operating system has unique security architecture, kernel design, and system integration approaches that require specialized understanding to effectively analyze threats and develop appropriate countermeasures. Advanced malware analysis and reverse engineering skills are critical for dissecting sophisticated attacks targeting Apple's ecosystem, requiring proficiency with specialized tools and techniques for analyzing compiled code, system behavior, and attack methodologies. Threat intelligence cycle expertise is fundamental for systematically collecting, analyzing, and disseminating actionable intelligence that can inform security engineering decisions across Apple's diverse product portfolio. Cross-functional collaboration abilities are essential for working effectively with engineering teams, product managers, and other stakeholders who may not have deep security expertise but need to understand and act on threat intelligence findings.

Beneficial Skills

Programming skills in languages like Python, Swift, or C++ would enhance the ability to develop custom analysis tools and integrate threat intelligence capabilities into Apple's broader security infrastructure. Cloud security expertise is increasingly valuable as Apple expands its services offerings and threat actors increasingly target cloud-based infrastructure and hybrid computing environments. Machine learning and artificial intelligence knowledge could provide significant advantages in developing automated threat detection systems and improving the efficiency of threat intelligence analysis processes. Regulatory and compliance understanding, particularly regarding privacy laws and government security requirements, would be valuable given Apple's global presence and the increasing intersection of cybersecurity and regulatory compliance.

Unique Aspects

Working within Apple's integrated hardware-software ecosystem provides unique insights into threat vectors and defense mechanisms that aren't available in traditional software-only environments, offering unparalleled learning opportunities for security professionals.
The role offers direct impact on security decisions affecting over a billion users worldwide, providing a level of scale and responsibility that few other positions in the cybersecurity industry can match.
Apple's commitment to user privacy creates a distinctive security philosophy that prioritizes user protection over data collection, offering professionals the opportunity to work on security solutions that align with strong ethical principles.
The position provides access to Apple's cutting-edge security research and development efforts, including advanced hardware security features and novel software protection mechanisms that represent the future of consumer device security.
Working in Apple's SEAR organization offers exposure to security challenges across multiple platforms simultaneously, providing broader expertise development than single-platform security roles at other companies.

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing analysts, with opportunities for advancement accelerated by Apple's rapid product development cycles and the critical nature of security work in protecting the company's reputation and user trust.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Threat Intelligence Analyst or Principal Security Researcher roles within Apple's SEAR organization, focusing on advanced threat research and strategic security architecture decisions Security Engineering Manager positions overseeing threat intelligence teams and driving organizational security strategy across Apple's product portfolio Principal Security Architect roles designing comprehensive security frameworks for Apple's operating systems and hardware platforms External opportunities as Chief Security Officer or VP of Security roles at smaller technology companies, or specialized consulting positions with cybersecurity firms focused on Apple ecosystem security

Company Overview

Apple Inc.

Apple represents the pinnacle of consumer technology companies, with unparalleled integration between hardware and software that creates unique security challenges and opportunities requiring specialized expertise that few other organizations can provide.

As one of the world's most valuable companies with over a billion active devices, Apple maintains a dominant position in premium consumer technology markets and sets industry standards for privacy and security that influence the entire technology sector.
The Washington, DC location positions this role at the intersection of technology and policy, providing opportunities to engage with government agencies, policy makers, and other technology companies on cybersecurity initiatives while contributing to Apple's broader security strategy.
Apple's culture emphasizes innovation, perfectionism, and user-focused design, creating an environment where security professionals are empowered to think creatively about threat mitigation while maintaining the highest standards for protecting user privacy and data security.
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.