Application Security Engineer

As an Application Security Engineer at Andesite, your primary responsibilities include securing software applications and cloud environments by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities throughout the development lifecycle. You'll conduct application threat modeling, perform code reviews, and manage security tools such as SAST, DAST, and SCA. Additionally, you'll educate engineering teams on secure practices and work closely with various departments to ensure compliance with relevant regulations.

To qualify for the Application Security Engineer position at Andesite, candidates should have over 4 years of experience in application security or secure software development, along with hands-on experience securing cloud-native applications. A strong understanding of secure design principles, threat modeling, and software risk assessment is also essential, along with proficiency in at least one programming language and familiarity with security standards like OWASP Top 10.

Andesite is committed to the professional development of its Application Security Engineers by encouraging participation in continuous learning opportunities. You can expect to stay updated with industry developments through training, conferences, and hands-on experiences that enhance your knowledge and skills, helping you grow in your career and stay abreast of best practices in the cybersecurity domain.

During the interview process for the Application Security Engineer role at Andesite, candidates can anticipate a series of structured interviews focusing on technical skills and cultural fit. The process may include technical assessments, problem-solving scenarios related to application security, and discussions highlighting past experiences. Expect a friendly environment where the team values your input and strives to understand how you can contribute to the mission and objectives of Andesite.

Andesite offers a comprehensive benefits package to its Application Security Engineers, including a competitive salary alongside bonus and equity options. Employees enjoy employer-paid health insurance covering medical, dental, and vision for themselves and their families, unlimited PTO, a flexible remote work environment, and 14 weeks of fully-paid parental leave, all fostering a healthy work-life balance.

In answering this question, consider elaborating on specific projects where you successfully identified potential threats and vulnerabilities during the design phase. Explain how you utilized tools or frameworks for threat modeling and the impact this had on enhancing application security. Being specific about your methodologies and outcomes will demonstrate your expertise effectively.

Speak about the specific SAST, DAST, and SCA tools you are familiar with, including examples of how you configured or tuned these tools in previous roles. Highlight your achievements while using these tools, such as improved detection rates or faster remediation times, to illustrate your hands-on experience and technical proficiency.

Outline your approach to promoting secure coding practices, including conducting training sessions, providing detailed documentation, and performing code reviews. Share examples of how you've successfully guided teams towards adopting these practices, along with any metrics that demonstrate the effectiveness of these efforts.

Discuss the cloud platforms (like AWS, Azure, or GCP) you have worked with, emphasizing your hands-on experience in implementing security controls. Detail how you have managed identity and access controls and enforced secure configurations across cloud services, reinforcing your understanding of cloud security concepts and practices.

When responding to this question, narrate a specific instance where you discovered a vulnerability, detailing your investigative process. Explain how you communicated the findings to stakeholders and the strategies you utilized to remediate the issue, emphasizing your analytical skills and solution-oriented mindset.

Highlight your method for assessing the severity and potential impact of vulnerabilities by referencing frameworks like CVSS or OWASP. Demonstrate your ability to balance urgency against business needs while considering factors like exploitability, potential damage, and compliance requirements.

Describe your strategies for instilling a security-first mindset among developers, such as rolling out training programs, providing security-focused onboarding, and facilitating workshops. Share how you measure engagement and knowledge retention over time to ensure lasting impacts on security culture within the organization.

Explain the automated processes and tools you have employed to enhance security throughout the development lifecycle. Discuss specific examples where automation helped streamline security tasks, reduce human error, or increase efficiency in managing security assessments.

Demonstrate your depth of knowledge regarding the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities and how you incorporate these guidelines into your application security practices. Provide examples of how recognizing these risks have influenced your threat modeling or code review processes in past projects.

Discuss your views on the importance of collaboration and communication within the role of an Application Security Engineer. Emphasize how a strong partnership with development and operations teams can lead to more effective security practices and lower risks in deployed applications.