Head of Security Engineering – Application Security & Security Testing

Tesco Technology; Welwyn Garden City; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus scheme up to 45% of base salary

Car allowance of £7,320 per annum

25 days holiday plus personal day

Private medical insurance

Retirement savings plan with enhanced employer contribution

Generous maternity and paternity leave

Job summary

A leading retail organization in Welwyn Garden City seeks a Head of Security Engineering with broad responsibilities for leading security teams and managing vulnerability across applications. The role encompasses oversight of application security, testing, and collaboration with senior stakeholders, requiring excellent leadership and in-depth technical expertise. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in security engineering, capable of implementing strategic initiatives within a dynamic environment. Attractive benefits include a substantial annual bonus and flexible work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large-scale security engineering functions.
• Deep technical expertise in vulnerability management and application security.
• Strong understanding of secure development practices and engineering tooling.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple Security Engineering Managers and teams.
• Oversee design and operation of vulnerability identification tools.
• Translate strategic goals into actionable plans.

Skills

Leadership in security engineering

Vulnerability management

Application security

Adversarial testing

Stakeholder engagement

Secure development practices

Job description

Head of Security Engineering – Application Security & Security Testing

Tesco Technology’s Security Engineering function is responsible for proactively identifying and mitigating risks across our technology estate. As Head of Security Engineering – Application Security & Testing, you will lead a multi-disciplinary function that spans vulnerability management, application security engineering, and adversarial testing. You will be accountable for delivering full-stack security assurance—from code to infrastructure—through a blend of engineering innovation and operational excellence.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead three Security Engineering Managers and their teams (approx. 20+ engineers), plus a Principal Security Engineer/Architect.
• Foster collaboration across teams focused on:
• External attack surface management and bug bounty operations.
• Application security engineering (SAST, SCA, GenAI solutions, ASPM, threat modelling).
• Penetration testing and adversarial simulation (red/purple team strategy).
• Develop talent, coach leaders, and build succession plans for long‑term capability growth.

Security Engineering & Testing

• Oversee the design, deployment, and operation of tools and solutions that identify vulnerabilities across the full stack—code, applications, infrastructure, packages, and external assets.
• Ensure robust security testing capabilities are in place to support business projects and strategic initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement in testing methodologies, coverage, and automation.

Strategic Execution

• Translate strategic goals into actionable plans under Tesco’s Tech Excellence programme.
• Monitor delivery progress, operational metrics, and team performance.
• Ensure alignment with broader security and technology objectives.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with peers including the Heads of Security Partnerships, Cyber Defence, and Platform Security Architecture.
• Partner with Product and Programme teams to embed security into delivery pipelines.
• Act as a key point of contact for senior stakeholders across Tesco Technology.

Key Requirements

• Proven experience leading large‑scale security engineering functions.
• Deep technical expertise in vulnerability management, application security, and adversarial testing.
• Strong understanding of secure development practices and modern engineering tooling.
• Experience with ASPM platforms, threat modelling, and GenAI‑driven security solutions.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with operational metrics and performance tracking.

Benefits

• Annual bonus scheme of up to 45% of base salary.
• Car allowance of £7,320 per annum.
• Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays).
• Private medical insurance.
• Retirement savings plan – save between 6%‑10% and Tesco will contribute 1.5 times this amount.
• 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 year’s service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay; 6 weeks fully paid paternity leave.

About Us

Our vision at Tesco is to become every customer's favourite way to shop, whether they are at home or out on the move. Our core purpose is ‘Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day’. We are proud of our inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Tesco is committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued. We are accredited Disability Confident Leader and provide a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer, please click here.

Seniority level: Executive
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Engineering and Information Technology
Industries: Retail

Location: London, England, United Kingdom