Senior Application Security Engineer

Vanguard; Malvern (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard in Malvern is seeking an Application Security Specialist to help secure the software development lifecycle. You will develop strategy, implement technology, and collaborate with developers to embed guardrails for secure delivery.

The role focuses on CICD, secure SDLC, and testing initiatives (DAST, SAST, SCA, IAST) across containers, serverless, and APIs, while mentoring teams and reporting metrics to improve risk visibility.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a related field or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Strong experience deploying and operating DAST tools with CI/CD integration.
• Experience with SAST, SCA, IAST, RASP and other security tools.
• Strong knowledge of development, build, and deployment pipelines (cloud, containers, serverless).
• Familiarity with NIST, OWASP, and MITRE standards.
• Certifications in app development, security, DevSecOps, or cloud are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Guide Application Security strategy and secure the SDLC across projects.
• Drive API, Container, and Application Security testing initiatives (DAST, etc.).
• Develop strategies for securing containers, serverless, APIs, and AI/ML tech.
• Provide hands‑on engineering support for security incidents and vulnerability management.
• Gather and report metrics to show security coverage, risk reduction, and maturity.

Skills

CI/CD pipelines

DAST tooling

SAST / SCA / IAST

Application security

Cloud & containers security

NIST / OWASP / MITRE

Secure software development

Threat & vulnerability management

Automation & tooling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

DAST tools

SAST tools

SCA tools

IAST tools

RASP tools

CI/CD tooling

Job description

The Application Security team is responsible for the solutions and processes that secure Vanguard applications and operations. As an Application Security Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the security and compliance of the Vanguard software development lifecycle (SDLC). You will help develop strategy, implement new technology, maintain technical controls, assess vulnerabilities, and collaborate with developers to ensure that the proper guardrails are in place to enable the continuous and secure delivery of applications.

This role requires expertise in CICD, Secure software development, and application security best practices to improve developer experience and delivery of our security services to our end users

Key Responsibilities

• Utilize application development, deployment, and security experience to help guide Application Security strategy and secure the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
• Drive API, Container, and Application Security testing initiatives, including DAST and other security validation capabilities, to improve security coverage, identify vulnerabilities, and support timely remediation.
• Develop strategies to secure current and emerging technologies (containers, serverless, API, AI/ML).
• Provide hands‑on engineering support for security incidents, threat events, vulnerability management, and control improvements to strengthen Enterprise application security posture.
• Gather and report metrics from Application Security solutions and processes to provide meaningful insights into security coverage, risk reduction, and program maturity.
• Create and maintain technical standards, operational procedures, and supporting documentation for Application Security services by leveraging guidance from organizations such as NIST, OWASP, and SANS.
• Provide technical mentorship and training to development and cloud engineering teams on secure development practices for API, Container security, and vulnerability remediation.
• Implement, optimize, and operationalize Application Security solutions to improve risk visibility, security coverage, and developer adoption.
• Drive automation and security capabilities that improve developer experience, streamline security processes, and align Application Security solutions with enterprise security and technology goals.
• Stay informed on emerging Application Security trends, technologies, attack techniques, and industry best practices to continuously enhance Vanguard's security posture.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a related field or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Strong experience deploying and operating DAST tools to include managing team onboarding, authentication setup, and CI/CD integration.
• Experience with other well-known application security tools (SAST, SCA, IAST, RASP, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of application development, build, and deployment processes (development, IDEs, repositories, branching, pipelines, cloud, containers, serverless, etc.).
• Familiarity with industry standards such as NIST, OWASP, and MITRE.
• Relevant certifications in application development, security, application security, DevSecOps, or cloud are a plus.

Special Factor(s)

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

Special Factors

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission-we're on a mission.

To work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.