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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead security engineering solutions and prevent vulnerabilities in software development.
- Company: Join GitLab, a pioneering open-core software company transforming DevSecOps.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible paid time off, equity compensation, and home office support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on software security while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in Application Security and strong coding skills required.
- Other info: Remote work with opportunities for growth and collaboration across diverse teams.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
GitLab is an open-core software company that develops the most comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps Platform, used by more than 100,000 organizations. Our mission is to enable everyone to contribute to and co-create the software that powers our world. When everyone can contribute, consumers become contributors, significantly accelerating human progress. Our platform unites teams and organizations, breaking down barriers and redefining what's possible in software development. Thanks to products like Duo Enterprise and Duo Agent Platform, customers get AI benefits at every stage of the SDLC.
An Overview Of This Role
The Application Security + (R) subdepartment works with GitLab engineers and product teams to anticipate and prevent the introduction of vulnerabilities during design and development, ensuring delivery of high quality software GitLab customers can trust. We also identify, assess, and respond to security vulnerabilities discovered in GitLab products and services that are reported through Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure practices. The Principal Application Security Engineer reports to the Senior Director of Application Security + Response and drives complex, strategic security engineering solutions.
What You’ll Do
- Drive the resolution of systemic vulnerability classes and mitigations across the GitLab platform and perform difficult and highly complex application security reviews and threat modeling.
- Perform vulnerability research by exploring the full impact of security issues, demonstrating proof-of-concept exploitation in a controlled environment.
- Demonstrate technical security leadership, defining and establishing secure development practices, Paved Roads and security standards that will support Product and Engineering teams to deliver secured features at a high velocity.
- Provide technical leadership in security crisis situations and major incident response.
- Contribute to long‑term security architecture and strategic product design through technical expertise.
What You’ll Bring
- Ability to use GitLab effectively.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Computer Science or equivalent practical education (including technical bootcamp training programs) and experience.
- 8+ years professional experience in Application Security or Vulnerability Research.
- Expert level understanding of computer code and how to detect and remediate classes of security defects, race condition based logic vulnerabilities etc.
- Programming experience in one or more coding languages, with a preference for Ruby, Ruby on Rails, Go, TypeScript languages and being familiar with GraphQL APIs.
- Professional developer code quality is not required but being able to build code and understand it for developing PoC exploits and performing security review or fix validation work is a requirement.
- Expert level knowledge of application security concepts such as OWASP Top 10 bug types, the STRIDE model, CVSS scoring, and Threat Modeling assessments.
- Experience with application security practices including code review, threat modeling, static and dynamic analysis (SAST, DAST), and attack surface analysis or performing Application Penetration Testing or Vulnerability Research / Bug Bounty Hunting.
- Strong knowledge of security challenges, risks and threads related to CI/CD Pipeline security, supply chain security and API security.
- Ability to discover and identify fixes for SQLi, XSS, CSRF, SSRF, authentication and authorization flaws, and other web‑based security vulnerabilities is strongly preferred.
- Ability to provide subject matter expertise on software architecture design and system security.
- Flexible, effective, and inclusive communication skills that create clarity; you will collaborate with technical and nontechnical audiences across multiple teams on security bug types and how to mitigate or remediate security issues.
- Proficiency in the English language, both written and verbal, sufficient for success in a remote and largely asynchronous work environment.
- Demonstrated critical and creative thinking, while also being an effective member of a team, with a flexible and constructive approach to problem solving that helps you navigate ambiguity and drive results.
- Demonstrated ability to influence security decisions at executive and senior leadership levels.
- Experience coaching and supporting the development of more junior engineers.
Please note that we welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification.
How GitLab Will Support You
- Benefits to support your health, finances, and well‑being.
- Flexible Paid Time Off.
- Team Member Resource Groups.
- Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
- Growth and Development Fund.
- Parental leave.
- Home office support.
Country Hiring Guidelines
GitLab hires new team members in countries around the world. All of our roles are remote, however some roles may carry specific location‑based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can help answer any questions about location after starting the recruiting process.
Privacy Policy
Please review our Recruitment Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to us.
EEO Statement
GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.
Principal Security Engineer, Application Security employer: GitLab
Contact Detail:
GitLab Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Security Engineer, Application Security
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at meetups. A personal connection can often get you a foot in the door faster than a CV.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects and contributions. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do beyond just words on a page.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to application security. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when it’s showtime!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Security Engineer, Application Security
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Security: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for application security shine through. Share specific examples of how you've tackled security challenges in the past and what drives you to keep learning in this ever-evolving field.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Use keywords from the listing, like 'vulnerability research' and 'threat modeling', to show we’re on the same page.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. Make it easy for us to see your qualifications and how they fit the role without wading through fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes tracking your application a breeze!
How to prepare for a job interview at GitLab
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your application security concepts, especially the OWASP Top 10 and threat modelling techniques. Be ready to discuss your experience with vulnerability research and how you've tackled complex security issues in the past.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your programming knowledge, particularly in Ruby, Go, or TypeScript. You might be asked to explain how you would build proof-of-concept exploits or perform security reviews, so have some examples ready to share.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be collaborating with both technical and non-technical teams, practice explaining complex security concepts in simple terms. This will show that you can bridge the gap between different audiences and make security accessible to everyone.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you had to influence security decisions or lead a team through a crisis, and be prepared to discuss your approach and outcomes.
