Vulnerability Management Specialist

AppFolio; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AppFolio is seeking a Vulnerability Management Specialist to join our security engineering team. You’ll validate, prioritize, and track vulnerabilities to strengthen our security posture across SaaS platforms, responding to 0-day threats and ensuring policy compliance while leveraging automation to improve remediation cycles.

The role requires 2–5 years in cybersecurity, scripting in Ruby/Python, and hands-on experience with DefectDojo, Invicti, Wiz, Cycode, plus Burp Suite or Metasploit.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in a related cybersecurity role, preferably with Vulnerability Management, Penetration Testing, or Incident Response.
• Ability to write scripts in Ruby, Python, or other scripting languages.
• Hands-on experience with vulnerability management tools such as DefectDojo, Invicti, Wiz, or Cycode.
• Hands-on experience with manual testing tools, especially validating vulnerabilities.
• Understanding CVSS and risk-based prioritization in context of local factors.
• Proficiency in Linux, MacOS, and Windows operating systems.
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain security issues to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to oversee complex security findings with structured, project-style remediation workflows.

Responsibilities

• Validate, prioritize, communicate, and track vulnerabilities to improve AppFolio’s security posture.
• Respond to emerging threats and security events as 0-day vulnerabilities are released.
• Ensure compliance with vulnerability management policies and drive adoption of best practices.
• Streamline the process using AI, ML, and automation to shorten remediation time.
• Build trust with customers and partners through a robust vulnerability program.

Skills

Vulnerability management

Scripting (Ruby/Python)

Strong communication

Security incident response

Education

BS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

DefectDojo

Invicti

Wiz

Cycode

Burp Suite

Metasploit Framework

Job description

Description

At AppFolio, we paddle as one. We ride and make waves together, with a relentless focus on building great products for the way our customers work and live today – and tomorrow. AppFolio is a destination organization where careers are made and accelerated. Here, innovation is a team sport.

Description

At AppFolio, we paddle as one. We ride and make waves together, with a relentless focus on building great products for the way our customers work and live today – and tomorrow. AppFolio is a destination organization where careers are made and accelerated. Here, innovation is a team sport.

As a Vulnerability Management Specialist, you will contribute to security initiatives and work on high-impact projects as a member of the security engineering team. You will provide expertise and support to your team members in your areas of strength. Staying abreast of industry trends and technology is key to this role, and you will actively seek to continue to develop your skills and competencies with our support.

Success in this role requires a strong passion for computer, network, and application security. Experience in vulnerability management at a Software-as-a-Service company is preferred.

Your impact

• You will validate, prioritize, communicate, and track vulnerabilities to continuously improve the overall security posture of AppFolio technology systems and applications.
• You will respond to emerging threats and potential security events as 0-day vulnerabilities are released.
• You will work to ensure compliance with our vulnerability management policies, processes, and procedures, and drive the adoption of emerging industry best practices.
• You will help streamline the vulnerability management process through the use of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and automation, improving the end-to-end process and reducing the time-to-action for known vulnerabilities.
• Through an exceptional vulnerability management program, you will build trust and confidence with our customers and partners.

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience
• Cybersecurity-relevant certifications, such as but not limited to GCIA, GCIH, CEH, CISSP, CISM, or OSCP
• Project management-relevant certificates, such as but not limited to CAPM or PMP

Must have

• 2-5 years of experience in a related cybersecurity role, preferably with a focus on Vulnerability Management, Penetration Testing, or Incident Response.
• Ability to write scripts in Ruby, Python, or other scripting languages
• Hands-on experience with Vulnerability Management tools such as DefectDojo, Invicti, Wiz, or Cycode.
• Hands-on experience with manual testing tools, especially validating vulnerabilities
• Understanding the capabilities and limitations of SAST, DAST, SCA, and pen test tools.
• Proficiency in various operating systems (Linux, MacOS, Windows)
• Ability to assess security risks associated with vulnernabilities and prioritize them using existing frameworks like CVSS, accounting for local environmental factors.
• Strong communication skills and an ability to explain complex security issues to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to maintain strict organization while overseeing complex security findings, applying structured project-style oversight to guide multiple simultaneous vulnerabilities to remediation or risk acceptance.

Nice to Have

• Hands-on experience with network protocol vulnerabilities
• Experience identifying and managing vulnerabilities during CI/CD
• Hands-on experience in cloud environments (AWS, GCP, Azure)
• Hands-on experience with Burp Suite and Tenable or similar
• Hands-on experience with Metasploit Framework or similar

Compensation & Benefits

The compensation that we reasonably expect to pay for this role is: $104,000 - $130,000 base pay. The actual compensation for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, education, experience, and internal equity.

Please note that compensation is just one aspect of a comprehensive Total Rewards package. The compensation range listed here does not include additional benefits or any discretionary bonuses you may be eligible for based on your role and/or employment type.

Regular full-time employees are eligible for benefits - see here.

About AppFolio

AppFolio is the technology leader powering the future of the real estate industry. Our innovative platform and trusted partnership enable our customers to connect communities, increase operational efficiency, and grow their business. For more information about AppFolio, visit appfolio.com.

Why AppFolio

Grow | We enable a culture of high performance, where delivering results is recognized by opportunities for growth and compelling total rewards. Our challenging and meaningful work drive the growth of our business, and ourselves.

Learn | We partner with you to realize your potential by investing in you from the start. We're cultivating a team of big thinkers through coaching and mentorship with our best-in-class leaders, and giving you the time and tools to develop your skills.

Impact | We are creating a world where living in, investing in, managing, and supporting communities feels magical and effortless, freeing people to thrive. We do this by innovating with purpose while cultivating a culture of impact. We learn as much from each other as we do our customers and our communities.

Connect | We excel at hybrid work by fostering an environment that feels flexible, personal and connected, no matter where we are. We create space to fuel innovation and collaboration, and we come together to celebrate, connect, and succeed.

Paddle as One.

Learn more at appfolio.com/company/careers

Statement of Equal Opportunity

At AppFolio, we value diversity in backgrounds and perspectives and depend on it to drive our innovative culture. That’s why we’re a proud Equal Opportunity Employer, and we believe that our products, our teams, and our business are stronger because of it. This means that no matter what race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran status, you’re always welcome at AppFolio.