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- Tasks: Lead the design and development of innovative software solutions in AI-driven security.
- Company: Join Snyk, a leader in secure AI software development with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for remote work.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on code security while shaping the future of technology.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in software engineering with expertise in static analysis or application security.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and a dynamic environment for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Snyk is the leader in secure AI software development, helping millions of developers develop fast and stay secure as AI transforms how software is built. Our AI-native Developer Security Platform integrates seamlessly into development and security workflows, making it easy to find, fix, and prevent vulnerabilities — from code and dependencies to containers and cloud.
Our mission is to empower every developer to innovate securely in the AI era — boosting productivity while reducing business risk. We build Snyk on One Team, Care Deeply, Customer Centric, and Forward Thinking.
Job Summary
As a Principal Software Engineer on the Snyk Code team, you will be responsible for driving our technical future, tackling our most difficult and strategic challenges in static analysis. This role is centered on advancing the quality and accuracy of our SAST analysis, with a deep focus on the program analysis, corresponding rules, and data-driven feedback systems that power our engine. Your leadership will be instrumental in designing and evolving the foundational systems that allow us to scale our analysis in the new era of AI-assisted development, ensuring Snyk remains the trusted leader in developer security.
Opportunity & Impact
This is a defining role at the intersection of Program Analysis, Machine Learning, and Application Security. You will have the authority and autonomy to solve our most complex technical problems, directly influencing Snyk's long-term direction. You will not just contribute to our systems; you will invent them, creating the feedback loops and data-driven architecture that form the basis of our core technology. You will work across teams and groups, shaping the technical direction of Snyk Code and mentoring our next generation of senior technical leaders. This is an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the future of code security and solve problems that have a direct and massive impact on our customers and the industry.
Role Responsibilities
- Set Technical Vision: Define and champion the long-term (12-24 month) technical roadmap for Snyk Code's program analysis capabilities. Identify and prioritize the foundational investments needed to maintain our industry-leading performance and scale for an AI-driven world.
- Advance Analysis Quality: Architect and lead the development of the core systems that drive the continuous improvement of our SAST analysis. Design the data pipelines, feedback mechanisms, and automated testing frameworks required to systematically measure and enhance the accuracy, coverage, and performance of our analysis engine.
- Solve the Hardest Problems: Tackle the most complex, ambiguous, and cross-cutting technical challenges in program analysis. This includes designing novel techniques for analyzing new languages and frameworks, ensuring the reliability of our findings at scale, and building systems that are resilient to the explosion in code volume.
- Lead Through Influence: Drive technical consensus across multiple engineering teams and groups. Author the critical design documents and RFCs that align the organization on a coherent technical strategy. Your technical leadership will be crucial in unifying efforts towards common, extensible solutions.
- Hands-On Technical Contribution: Remain deeply hands-on, making critical contributions in code, design, and debugging our most challenging problems. You are the expert others turn to for guidance and the person who can dive in to unblock the most critical projects.
- Mentor and Elevate: Act as a key mentor and force-multiplier for senior engineers across the division. Share your expertise, foster a culture of technical excellence, and build the next generation of technical leadership at Snyk.
Qualifications & Required Skills
- Education & Experience: At least 10 years of commercial software engineering experience, with a proven track record of leading the design and delivery of large-scale, complex, and ambiguous technical projects. Extensive experience as a technical leader, setting the technical direction for a significant product area or multiple services. A deep and demonstrable background in Computer Science. A PhD or MSc in a relevant field such as Programming Languages, Compilers, Machine Learning, Application Security, or Static Analysis is a strong asset.
- Required Skills: World-class expertise in at least one of the following domains: static program analysis, application security, or applied machine learning for code. Proven ability to design, build, and evolve highly complex, distributed systems, particularly those involving rule engines, large-scale data processing, or compiler/interpreter technology. Mastery of one or more core programming languages (e.g., Go, Python, Java, C++, Rust) and the ability to quickly become proficient in new technologies. Exceptional ability to lead through influence, with outstanding written and verbal communication skills demonstrated through a history of impactful design documents, RFCs, and presentations. A strategic, scalable approach to building systems, with a relentless focus on automation, reliability, performance, and operational excellence. A history of successfully mentoring and growing senior engineers.
Principal Software Engineer, Snyk Code (SAST) in London employer: Snyk Ltd.
Contact Detail:
Snyk Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer, Snyk Code (SAST) in London
✨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 repository showcasing your projects. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do, especially in software engineering.
✨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! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer, Snyk Code (SAST) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for software engineering and security shine through. We want to see how excited you are about tackling complex challenges and driving innovation in the AI era!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in static analysis, machine learning, or application security. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your expertise and how it aligns with our mission at Snyk.
Be Clear and Concise: While we love detail, clarity is key! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your skills and achievements at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Snyk Ltd.
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of static analysis, application security, and machine learning. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how they relate to the role. Highlight your experience with programming languages like Go or Python, as well as any complex systems you've designed.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading technical direction, be prepared to share examples of how you've influenced teams in the past. Discuss any design documents or RFCs you've authored and how they shaped project outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to lead through influence.
✨Think Big Picture
Snyk is looking for someone who can set a long-term technical vision. Be ready to talk about your strategic approach to building scalable systems and how you would tackle the challenges of AI-driven development. Show that you can think beyond immediate tasks and focus on future impacts.
✨Be Hands-On
This role requires a hands-on approach, so be prepared to dive into technical discussions. Share your coding experiences and how you've tackled difficult problems in the past. Showing that you're not just a leader but also an active contributor will resonate well with the interviewers.
