Principal Associate, Application Security Engineer - job 2 of 2

As a Principal Associate, Application Security Engineer at Aya, your key responsibilities will include maintaining relationships with software engineers and scrum masters while implementing security principles into the software development lifecycle (SDLC). You'll participate in architecture design reviews, conduct vulnerability assessments, and collaborate closely with development teams to remediate any identified vulnerabilities. Additionally, you'll develop and maintain security procedures, stay informed about emerging threats, and assist with training security champions across the organization.

To qualify for the Principal Associate, Application Security Engineer position at Aya, candidates should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, alongside over five years in software, product, or application security. Proficiency in programming languages such as C#, PHP, Python, and Java is required, along with familiarity with Agile Development Methodologies. Knowledge of the OWASP Top 10 Risks and secure software development lifecycle processes is crucial, as is experience in software threat modeling. Industry certifications such as Security+, GWAPT, or CISSP are preferred.

In your role as a Principal Associate, Application Security Engineer at Aya, you will work on a variety of projects aimed at enhancing application security. This will include conducting vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate security risks, collaborating with software teams on secure coding practices, and developing security assessment procedures. You will also be involved in architecture design reviews and staying ahead of emerging security threats, ensuring that Aya's applications remain robust and secure against potential vulnerabilities.

At Aya, professional development for a Principal Associate, Application Security Engineer is highly valued. The company encourages staying current with industry trends and practices, providing opportunities for advanced training and learning. Additionally, you will have the chance to mentor security champions within the organization, enhancing your leadership skills while fostering a culture of security awareness and best practices throughout the software development teams.

The culture at Aya is one of collaboration, innovation, and celebration. As a Principal Associate, Application Security Engineer, you will find yourself in a supportive environment where teamwork is paramount. The company organizes various events, including virtual gatherings and team-building activities, to maintain high morale and foster relationships among employees. Moreover, Aya places a strong emphasis on recognizing achievements, ensuring that hard work doesn't go unnoticed and is rewarded.

When answering this question, highlight specific secure coding practices you’ve implemented in your past roles. Discuss your familiarity with coding guidelines and how you’ve collaborated with developers to ensure security is baked into the development process from the very start.

Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning by mentioning specific resources or communities you follow, such as security blogs, forums, or industry conferences. Discuss any professional certifications you are pursuing or have completed, as well as how you share knowledge with your team.

Speak about the methodologies you use for conducting vulnerability assessments, such as tools or frameworks, and how you determine which vulnerabilities to prioritize. Give an example of a time when your assessment led to significant improvements in security.

Discuss your approach to fostering open communication and building relationships with development teams. You might mention regular meetings, collaborative tools, or feedback sessions that help in integrating security practices without disrupting workflows.

When responding, choose a specific instance where you responded to a serious security issue. Detail how you approached it, the outcome, and any lessons learned that improved your future practices.

Explain the OWASP Top 10 risks briefly and discuss how you’ve addressed each in your projects. Highlight specific examples where your awareness of these risks contributed to the development of secure applications.

Discuss your strategies for prioritization, such as using risk assessments to determine the most critical vulnerabilities or tasks. Mention how you integrate security checkpoints into the Agile process to maintain focus on security without slowing down development.

Share experiences where you educated or mentored colleagues on security awareness. Highlight any specific training sessions or initiatives you've led or contributed to that improved the security posture of your teams.

Discuss specific threat modeling tools you've used, explaining their features and how they help you identify vulnerabilities in early development stages. Mention how clear threat modeling can lead to more secure application designs.

Share your passion for application security and interest in the healthcare sector. Discuss how Aya's focus on innovation aligns with your career aspirations and how you believe you can contribute to the company’s mission.