Senior Application Security Engineer

Vanguard; Malvern (Chester County); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard is seeking an Application Security Specialist to shape and protect the SDLC across Vanguard applications. You will drive test initiatives, support incident response, and mentor engineers on secure development practices within a hybrid work model at Vanguard.

The role emphasizes securing containers, APIs, serverless architectures, and emerging technologies while aligning with NIST, OWASP, and MITRE standards and fostering improved developer experience.

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.

Responsibilities

• Guide Application Security strategy and secure the SDLC.
• Drive API, Container, and Application Security testing initiatives (DAST, etc.).
• Develop strategies to secure containers, serverless, API, and AI/ML.
• Provide hands-on engineering support for security incidents and vulnerability management.
• Gather and report metrics to demonstrate security coverage and risk reduction.
• Create and maintain technical standards and procedures following NIST/OWASP/SANS guidance.
• Mentor development and cloud engineering teams on secure dev practices.

Skills

DAST tooling

CI/CD integration

App security testing

Threat modeling

Security engineering

Developer collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

DAST tools

SAST

SCA

IAST

RASP

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.

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.