Security Software Engineer - job 1 of 2

As a Security Software Engineer at Canonical, you will be responsible for defining, implementing, and documenting new security features while leading security-oriented conversations within product engineering teams. Your role will encompass analyzing and fixing vulnerabilities, contributing to Ubuntu and upstream projects, and monitoring the security landscape for developments. You will also integrate new tools into the security infrastructure while providing guidance and support to other engineering teams.

To qualify for the Security Software Engineer role at Canonical, you should have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or a related STEM field, alongside an exceptional academic track record. Furthermore, familiarity with programming languages such as C, Python, or Java is vital, as well as a strong grasp of common security vulnerabilities and modern engineering techniques for their mitigation.

Canonical encourages the professional growth of its Security Software Engineers through a generous personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year. This investment allows you to continuously upgrade your skills and stay abreast of industry advancements, ensuring you can contribute effectively to the company and the wider open-source community.

Security Software Engineers at Canonical utilize a variety of tools and methodologies in their day-to-day work, including advanced fuzzing and static analysis tools. They regularly engage in architecture reviews and table-top threat modeling to enhance security practices. The role also involves the integration of new security tools into existing processes to ensure they are effectively addressing vulnerabilities.

At Canonical, a successful Security Software Engineer can expect a collaborative and innovative work culture that values excellence and encourages diverse perspectives. The company has a remote-first policy that fosters a flexible work environment, with regular opportunities for team sprints and social engagements that reinforce team bonding and community involvement within the open-source space.

When answering this question, it’s essential to detail the context, your approach to identifying the vulnerability, and the steps you took to resolve it. Highlight any tools used and the overall impact of your solution on the project.

Discuss techniques such as code audits, threat modeling, and the use of fuzzing tools. Describe a structured approach for conducting security assessments and how you align these practices with the software development lifecycle.

Mention relevant resources such as industry blogs, conferences, and community forums. Explain how ongoing education plays a part in your professional development and security practices.

You might discuss strategies like conducting regular security training, promoting security best practices during code reviews, or developing security champions within teams. Make it clear that you value collaboration and ongoing dialogue about security.

Share specific examples where you contributed to open-source projects, focusing on your role in enhancing security or solving vulnerabilities. Highlight your understanding of community dynamics and how collaboration drives successful outcomes.

List your programming languages, emphasizing how each one has contributed to your understanding of security vulnerabilities. Illustrate with examples where your coding practices have helped mitigate security risks.

Explain your process for vulnerability management, including identification, assessment, development of a fix, testing, and communication to stakeholders. Stress the importance of a proactive approach and swift action to protect users.

Discuss any relevant certifications you hold, their importance, and how they’ve informed your security practices. If you are pursuing any certifications, mention your plans and the skills you aim to gain.

Detail any experience you have with Linux cryptography modules such as OpenSSL or Libgcrypt. Discuss how you've applied cryptographic principles to enhance security within applications.

Articulate your understanding of industry standards and regulations like FIPS and CC. Discuss your approach to ensuring compliance through rigorous testing, auditing, and documentation, and how you implement these measures in your projects.