Application Security Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Robust retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) in San Diego seeks an Application Security Engineer to join the JMIE Division of the Information Advantage Office onsite in San Diego. You will champion application security across the software development lifecycle, partnering with engineering teams to build secure, DoD-aligned solutions.

Responsibilities include integrating security into Agile/DevSecOps, performing SAST/DAST, threat modeling, secure coding, and guiding teams

Qualifications

• Strong background in application security and secure design.
• Experience with SAST, DAST, SCA, and CI/CD security integration.
• Proficiency in Python, Java, C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, or Go.
• Experience reviewing architectures, microservices, and containerized workloads for security weaknesses.
• Familiarity with NIST 800-53 or similar control frameworks.
• Strong understanding of authentication, authorization, encryption, and API security.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrating application security into Agile and DevSecOps workflows from design to deployment.
• Conduct secure code reviews, threat modeling, and architecture analysis to guide remediation.
• Perform SAST/DAST/interactive testing across microservices and containers.
• Develop and maintain secure coding standards and patterns.
• Partner with developers to ensure secure design decisions and least privilege.
• Manage and optimize tools supporting application security (SAST/DAST, SCA, secret scanning, container/CI security).
• Evaluate open-source components for vulnerabilities and supply chain risks.
• Guide teams on secure API development and cryptographic practices.
• Validate security controls and risk for releases, modernization, or cloud migrations.
• Support security culture via training and developer engagement.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, cloud, and network teams to align with RMF and enterprise risk.
• Senior-level: lead threat modeling sessions, red/blue-team collaboration, and advanced vulnerability analysis.

Skills

Application security

SAST/DAST

SCA

CI/CD security

Threat modeling

NIST 800-53/JSIG

Authentication/Authorization

Vulnerability management

Secure coding languages

TS/SCI clearance

Tools

SAST tools

DAST tools

Secret scanning

Container/CI security tools

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

This position will be located fully onsite in San Diego, CA. Questions about flexible work arrangements may be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Periodic travel to local and remote test sites is required.

We are seeking a highly skilled Application Security Engineer with a strong foundation in security engineering to join the DevSecOps Team of the Joint Mission Integration and Experimentation (JMIE) Division within the Information Advantage Office at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State, based in San Diego, CA. The JMIE Division delivers advanced communications capabilities and secure experimentation networks supporting departmental mission partners, including cross‑domain data movement, tactical compute environments, and resilient edge processing strengthen secure software design, development, and deployment across our mission‑focused environments. In this role, you will champion application security best practices, embed security across the software development lifecycle, and work closely with engineering teams to ensure applications are resilient, compliant, and securely architected from concept to production.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

• Lead the integration of application security best practices into Agile and DevSecOps workflows, ensuring security requirements are included from initial design through deployment
• Conduct deep‑dive secure code reviews, threat modeling, and architecture analysis to identify vulnerabilities and guide remediation strategies
• Perform static (SAST), dynamic (DAST), and interactive application security testing, ensuring coverage across microservices, APIs, and containerized applications
• Develop and maintain secure coding standards, patterns, and guidance used across engineering teams
• Partner with developers and product owners to ensure secure design decisions, using approaches such as least privilege, secure defaults, zero‑trust principles, and defense‑in‑depth
• Manage and optimize tools supporting application security, including SAST/DAST platforms, software composition analysis (SCA), secret‑scanning, and container/CI pipeline security tool
• Evaluate open‑source and third‑party components for vulnerabilities, license risks, and supply chain integrity
• Guide teams in secure API development, authentication/authorization best practices, cryptographic use, and secure data handling
• Validate security controls and perform risk analysis for applications undergoing release, modernization, or cloud migration
• Assist in building a security‑focused engineering culture through training, documentation, and hands‑on developer engagement
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, cloud, and network teams to ensure application security aligns with enterprise risk, RMF requirements, and overall mission objectives

Additional responsibilities for senior-level roles may include:

• Leading threat modeling sessions, red/blue-team collaboration, and advanced vulnerability analysis
  Designing scalable AppSec programs and enterprise SDLC security strategies
• Supporting RMF documentation and security artifacts relevant to application‑level controls
• Acting as a security advisor on high‑visibility or mission‑critical applications

Required Skills/Experience include:

• Strong background in application security, including secure development practices, vulnerability analysis, and secure design principles
• Versed in SAST, DAST, SCA, and CI/CD security integration
• Proficiency with secure coding techniques in one or more languages (e.g., Python, Java, C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, Go)
• Experience reviewing application architectures, microservices, and containerized workloads for security weaknesses
• Familiarity with NIST 800‑53 or similar control frameworks as they relate to application-level security requirements
• Strong understanding of authentication, authorization, encryption, and API security best practices
• Strong background in cybersecurity disciplines, including vulnerability management, scanning, compliance evaluation, and control implementation
• Experience interpreting security policy, generating evidence, and documenting test results for NIST 800‑53 / JSIG security controls
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Preferred Skills/Experience include:

• Experience operating within DevSecOps pipelines and modern CI/CD ecosystems
• Knowledge of cloud-native application security (AWS, Azure, or DoD cloud environments)
• Experience with secure design reviews for APIs, distributed systems, mobile applications, or cross-domain solutions
• Background with eMASS, STIGs, or ACAS in support of application accreditation efforts
• Relevant certifications: CSSLP, GWAPT, GWEB, GCSA, GSSP, or CISSP
  Prior experience delivering developer security training or building secure coding programs

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

acceptedRequiredCertifications:None

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

(ARL):Employees

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.