Principal AI Security Engineer

Ally designates roles as (1) fully on-site, (2) hybrid, or (3) fully remote. Hybrid roles are generally expected to be in the office a certain number of days per week as indicated by your manager. Your hiring manager will discuss this role’s specific work requirements with you during the hiring process. All work requirements are subject to change at any time based on leader discretion and/or business need.

The Opportunity

At Ally, you get a startup feel, but experience the benefits of a company that has worked out the kinks and is fulfilling its purpose. We are always evolving and see that as a good thing. From owning our work to seeing its impact in the real world, our team is relentless in finding new ways technology can help make experiences better and help people. We are problem solvers, we value diverse thinking, we support one another, and we challenge ourselves to think bigger in the journey to deliver customer-obsessed tech solutions. To read more about what our tech team does, be sure to visit our tech blog at ally.tech

We are seeking a visionary and highly skilled Principal AI Security Engineer to lead our efforts in securing our organization against AI-driven cyber threats and ensuring the safe, ethical, and secure use of AI technologies by Ally’s users. This role sits at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, requiring deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a passion for innovation.

At this time, Ally will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

The Work Itself

• Develop and implement a comprehensive security framework for generative AI systems, encompassing risk assessment, threat modeling, and security control design.
• Collaborate with data scientists, engineers, and product teams to embed security best practices into the generative AI development lifecycle, from ideation to deployment.
• Perform security assessments and penetration testing on generative AI models, infrastructures, and applications to identify vulnerabilities and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Partner with the privacy and compliance teams to ensure adherence to relevant data protection regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA, concerning the use of generative AI technologies.
• Collaborate with the cybersecurity team to develop incident response and threat intelligence strategies specific to generative AI security threats.
• Conduct regular security audits and reviews to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of implemented security controls and adherence to industry best practices.
• Stay abreast of emerging generative AI security threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation techniques, and adapt the organization’s security posture accordingly.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on AI security, advising executive leadership on emerging threats and strategic investments.
• Represent the organization in external forums, conferences, and industry groups focused on AI and cybersecurity.
• Provide subject matter expertise and thought leadership on generative AI security best practices, contributing to internal and external knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Establish and maintain relationships with relevant industry groups, regulatory bodies, and research organizations to stay informed about the latest developments in generative AI security.
• AI-Driven Threat Defense
  • Develop and maintain AI-based anomaly detection systems for real-time monitoring of network and application behavior.
  • Collaborate with incident response teams to investigate and mitigate AI-related security incidents.
  • Design and implement advanced AI/ML models to detect, prevent, and respond to sophisticated cyber threats, including adversarial AI attacks, deepfakes, and automated intrusion attempts.
  • Lead threat modeling and risk assessments focused on AI systems and AI-powered attack vectors.
• AI Safety & User Protection
  • Establish and enforce policies and best practices for the secure and ethical use of AI technologies across the organization.
  • Design safeguards to prevent misuse of generative AI tools, including prompt injection, data leakage, and model manipulation.
  • Partner with product and engineering teams to embed AI safety mechanisms into user-facing applications.
  • Conduct regular audits and assessments of AI systems to ensure compliance with privacy, security, and regulatory standards.

The Skills You Bring

Required:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science or a related technical field.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing security controls for AI/ML systems, preferably in an enterprise environment.
• In-depth knowledge of generative AI technologies, such as natural language generation, image synthesis, and code generation, and their associated security risks and challenges.
• At least 3 years of experience in AI/ML security or related fields.
• Deep understanding of machine learning algorithms, adversarial ML, and AI system architectures.
• Strong programming skills in Python, with experience in frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn.
• Proven experience with security tools, threat intelligence platforms, and cloud security (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Understanding of data privacy regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA, and their implications for generative AI systems.
• Familiarity with security frameworks, risk assessment methodologies, and industry best practices relevant to AI/ML security.
• Experience with cloud security, container security, and secure DevOps practices.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear and concise recommendations for non-technical stakeholders.
• Proactive approach to continuous learning and staying up-to-date with emerging generative AI security trends and best practices.
• Excellent communications skills (verbal and written) are required.
• Ability to interact with personnel at all levels across the organization and to comprehend business imperatives.
• A strong customer/client focus with ability to manage expectations appropriately and provide superior customer/client experience and build long-term relationships.
• Coding/Scripting experience such as Python or PowerShell to automate tasks is a bonus.

Preferred:

• At least 5 years of experience in Information Security

#LI-Hybrid

How We’ll Have Your Back

Ally’s compensation program offers market-competitive base pay and pay-for-performance incentives (bonuses) based on achieving personal and company goals. Our Total Rewards program includes industry-leading compensation and benefits plus additional incentives that are designed to meet your needs and those of your family so you can get the most out of your career and your life, including:

• Time Away: Program starts at 20 paid time off days in addition to 11 paid holidays and 8 hours of volunteer time off yearly (time off days are prorated based on start date and program varies based on full or part-time status and management level).
• Planning for the Future: plan for the near and long term with an industry-leading 401K retirement savings plan with matching and company contributions, student loan pay downs and 529 educational save up assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, employee stock purchase plan, and financial learning center and financial coach access.
• Supporting your Health & Well-being: flexible health and insurance options including medical, dental and vision, employee, spouse and child life insurance, short- and long-term disability, pre-tax Health Savings Account with employer contributions, Healthcare FSA, critical illness, accident & hospital indemnity insurance, and a total well-being program that helps you and your family stay on track physically, socially, emotionally, and financially.
• Building a Family: adoption, surrogacy and fertility assistance as well as paid parental and caregiver leave, Dependent Day Care FSA back-up child and adult/elder care days and childcare discounts.
• Work-Life Integration: other benefits including Mentally Fit Employee Assistance Program, subsidized and discounted Weight Watchers® program and other employee discount programs.
• Other compensations: depending on the role for which you are considered, you may be eligible for travel allowances, relocation assistance, a signing bonus and/or equity.
• To view more detailed information about Ally’s Total Rewards, please visit this link: https://www.ally.com/content/dam/pdf/corporate/ally-total-rewards-snapshot.pdf

Who We Are:

Ally Financial is a customer-centric, leading digital financial services company with passionate customer service and innovative financial solutions. We are relentlessly focused on “Doing it Right” and being a trusted financial-services provider to our consumer, commercial, and corporate customers. For more information, visit www.ally.com.

Ally is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy status, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic disposition or any other reason protected by law.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical or mental disabilities. For accommodation requests, email us at [email protected]. Ally will not discriminate against any qualified individual who is capable of performing the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Base Pay Range: $110000 – $180000 USDAn individual’s position in the range is determined by the specific role, the scope and responsibilities of the role, work experience, education, certification(s), training, and additional qualifications. We review internal pay, the competitive market, and business environment prior to extending an offer.  Incentive Compensation: This position is eligible to participate in our annual incentive plan.

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