Negotiation Guide

Security Engineer | Tempus Global Negotiation Guide

Negotiation DNA: AI-Driven Precision Medicine / Growth-Stage / Equity Upside / Genomic + Clinical Data Protection

Region Base Salary Equity (4yr) Bonus Total Comp
Chicago IL $150K–$210K $60K–$170K/4yr 10–12% $190K–$305K
Bay Area CA $160K–$220K $65K–$180K/4yr 10–12% $205K–$320K
Remote US $145K–$200K $55K–$160K/4yr 10–12% $180K–$290K

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Negotiation DNA

Security Engineers at Tempus protect one of the most sensitive data assets in precision medicine — the world's largest clinical+molecular data library containing genomic sequencing data, pathology images, clinical records, and treatment outcomes for hundreds of thousands of cancer patients. This data is both HIPAA-protected (clinical records) and represents uniquely sensitive genomic information covered by GINA. Security engineers manage cloud security (AWS), application security, data access controls, HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and the security of AI model training pipelines (protecting against data poisoning and model extraction attacks). Tempus's pharma partnerships require strong security posture — pharmaceutical companies will not share proprietary data with a partner that has security vulnerabilities. [Source: Tempus Information Security 2025]

Level Mapping: Tempus Security = Google L4 Security = Flatiron Security = Foundation Medicine Security

Global Levers

  1. Genomic + Clinical Data Sensitivity: "Tempus's data library contains genomic and clinical data for hundreds of thousands of cancer patients. This is among the most sensitive data in healthcare — the security mandate justifies premium comp."
  2. Growth-Stage Equity: "Push for top equity. Strong security posture directly enables pharma partnerships — Tempus's highest-margin revenue."
  3. HIPAA + Genomic Security: "I bring experience with HIPAA, GINA, and genomic data security — specialized compliance expertise."
  4. AI Security: "Securing ML training pipelines against data poisoning and model extraction is a specialized skill."

Negotiate Up Strategy: "I'd like the base at $205K with equity at $150K/4yr and a 12% bonus. My healthcare security experience protecting [genomic data / clinical platforms / AI systems] directly enables Tempus's pharma partnerships." Tempus will counter at $170K-$195K base with $80K-$130K equity. Accept if total comp exceeds $260K. Push on equity.

Evidence & Sources

  • [Tempus Information Security Strategy 2025]
  • [Levels.fyi Tempus Security Comp 2025-2026]
  • [Genomic Data Security — GINA/HIPAA Framework 2025]

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