At a Glance
- Tasks: Join GitHub's Code Scanning team to develop cutting-edge code analysis engines.
- Company: GitHub, the leading AI-powered developer platform with a diverse culture.
- Benefits: Remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on software security while working with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in software engineering and experience in software security or developer tools.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Locations: Remote, United Kingdom.
Overview: GitHub is the world’s leading AI‑powered developer platform, powering code development for over 180 million developers and 77,000 organisations. The Code Scanning team works on detection and remediation engines that protect software from open source to enterprise, integrating with GitHub Code Security and Advanced Security.
Responsibilities:
- Join one of the distributed software engineering teams that build and expand code analysis engines and agents at GitHub.
- Work in the area most aligned to your experience and interests, as follows:
- Code Analysis: Maintain detection support for multiple languages, build source‑code extractors, write and maintain queries in the CodeQL query language, build analysis libraries, and evaluate LLM‑powered detection engines and integration with static analysis.
- Foundations: Develop QL, the query language powering CodeQL, and its compiler and evaluator within the CodeQL CLI. Expand language expressive power, speed up the query engine, and ensure CodeQL scales to the largest codebases.
- Collaborate with engineering teams, product managers, designers, and technical writers across the code scanning product to influence product direction and deliver high‑quality, reliable, and user‑friendly features.
- Engage with internal and external users, including enterprise customers and the open‑source community, to help them succeed with the product.
- Contribute to the organizational culture and continuous improvement of processes.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
- 6+ years of software engineering experience, delivering production software in languages such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, Go, Ruby, Rust, or Python; or an associate degree with 5+ years of such experience; or a bachelor’s degree with 4+ years; or a master’s degree with 2+ years; or a doctorate; or equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of experience in at least one of the following areas: software security (static/dynamic analysis, supply‑chain security), building developer tools (compilers, parsers, linters, static analyzers, debuggers, CLI tools, IDE extensions), or ML/AI applied to source‑code understanding (LLM generation or reasoning, and benchmarking).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in two or more of the areas listed above.
- Experience designing and running statistically‑sound experiments to evaluate performance and quality.
- Knowledge of compilers, program analysis, or programming‑language design and implementation.
- Knowledge of logic programming or database query languages (e.g., SQL, Prolog, Datalog, Kusto).
- Experience in security research, including identifying, analyzing, and disclosing vulnerabilities in open‑source projects.
Equal Employment Opportunity: GitHub embraces diversity and invites applications from people of all backgrounds and lifestyles. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, pregnancy status, veteran status, or any other characteristic. If you have a disability and would like accommodations in the interview process, let us know and we will accommodate.
Senior Software Engineer, CodeQL employer: GitHub
GitHub is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, allowing Senior Software Engineers to thrive in a remote environment across the UK. With a strong focus on employee growth, GitHub offers opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology and contribute to meaningful projects that impact millions of developers worldwide. The company values diversity and provides a supportive atmosphere where innovation and continuous improvement are encouraged.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer, CodeQL
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at meetups. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repo showcasing your projects, especially those related to code analysis or security. It’s a great way to demonstrate what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practicing common technical questions and coding challenges. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills and boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are excited about joining us at GitHub. It shows initiative and enthusiasm!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer, CodeQL
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience in software security, developer tools, and any relevant programming languages to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for code analysis and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention any projects or contributions to open-source that showcase your expertise.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any interesting projects, especially those related to code analysis or security, make sure to include them. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our awesome team at GitHub!
How to prepare for a job interview at GitHub
✨Know Your CodeQL Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your CodeQL knowledge before the interview. Familiarise yourself with its query language and how it integrates with various programming languages. Being able to discuss specific examples of how you've used CodeQL in past projects will definitely impress.
✨Showcase Your Software Security Experience
Since the role involves software security, be prepared to talk about your experience in static and dynamic analysis, as well as any developer tools you've built. Highlight specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, especially in relation to security vulnerabilities.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
This position requires working with diverse teams, so demonstrate your collaboration skills. Share examples of how you've worked with product managers, designers, or even external users to deliver high-quality features. Communication is key, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions that may involve coding challenges or problem-solving scenarios. Brush up on your programming skills in languages like C++, Java, or Python. Practising common algorithms and data structures can help you feel more confident during this part of the interview.
