The study attempts to explore the mediating mechanism of intrinsic motivation in the relationship between qualitative job insecurity and employee in-role performance. It also examines the moderating role played by employee optimism in the relationship between qualitative job insecurity and intrinsic motivation. Data from 403 employees working in information technology organizations operating in India sampled using convenience sampling technique were collected through a structured questionnaire survey and subjected to analysis using structural equation modelling (SEM). The study employs a descriptive research design for testing the proposed relational hypotheses. Results of SEM indicate that there is a significantly positive relationship between qualitative job insecurity and employee in-role performance, which is mediated by intrinsic motivation partially. The moderating role of employee optimism in the relationship between qualitative job insecurity and intrinsic motivation has been established. The study contributes to qualitative job insecurity research and establishes the importance of employee optimism and intrinsic motivation in reinforcing employees’ attention towards job and organizational goals.