Security Engineer - Application Security

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 550,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Health benefits

Career growth

Bonuses

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Security Engineer specialized in Application Security in Paarl, Western Cape, ZA. You will protect software across the development lifecycle, working with developers to remediate vulnerabilities and embed secure coding into CI/CD.

The role requires 3–5 years in app security, strong knowledge of OWASP Top 10, and experience with SAST/DAST tools. Hybrid work setup and opportunities for certs are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in application security or related security engineering role.
• Solid understanding of OWASP Top 10 and mitigation strategies.
• Experience with SAST/DAST tools; knowledge of secure coding principles.

Responsibilities

• Perform security reviews of application designs and code.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and pen tests on web apps, APIs, and mobile apps.
• Integrate security testing tools into CI/CD pipelines (SAST, DAST, SCA).
• Develop and maintain secure coding guidelines and best practices.
• Provide guidance to development teams on secure coding techniques.
• Investigate and respond to security incidents related to applications.
• Help develop and maintain security policies for application development.
• Stay current with emerging application security threats and vulnerabilities.
• Collaborate with product managers, developers and QA for secure delivery.
• Automate security tasks and processes where possible.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Secure coding practices

Programming languages (Java, Python, C

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or Cybersecurity

Tools

SAST tools

DAST tools

CI/CD tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI)

Docker

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled Security Engineer with a specialization in Application Security to join their growing technology team in Paarl, Western Cape, ZA. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the security of our client's software applications throughout their development lifecycle. You will work closely with development teams to identify and remediate vulnerabilities, implement secure coding practices, and integrate security into the CI/CD pipeline. This position requires a strong understanding of application security principles, common vulnerabilities, and secure development methodologies. The ideal candidate is passionate about building secure software and driving a security-first mindset within the engineering organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform security reviews of application designs and code.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing on web applications, APIs, and mobile applications.
• Integrate security testing tools into the CI/CD pipeline (SAST, DAST, SCA).
• Develop and maintain secure coding guidelines and best practices.
• Provide guidance and training to development teams on secure coding techniques.
• Investigate and respond to security incidents related to applications.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of security policies and procedures for application development.
• Stay current with emerging application security threats and vulnerabilities.
• Collaborate with product managers, developers, and QA engineers to ensure secure software delivery.
• Automate security tasks and processes where possible.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in application security, software development, or a related security engineering role.
• Strong understanding of OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies.
• Experience with static (SAST) and dynamic (DAST) application security testing tools.
• Knowledge of secure coding principles and common programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C#, JavaScript).
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools and practices (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Docker).
• Experience with API security and cloud security concepts is a plus.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Relevant security certifications (e.g., CSSLP, GWEB) are beneficial.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Opportunities for professional growth and certifications in application security.
• A collaborative and innovative work culture in Paarl, Western Cape, ZA.
• Retirement fund contributions.
• Exposure to cutting-edge application development projects.
• Hybrid work arrangements for improved work-life balance.