Principal Engineer, Product Cybersecurity (PCPT)

The Principal Engineer, Product Cybersecurity at our company requires strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaboratively engage with peers and management. Proficiency in MS tools, extensive experience in security engineering with a focus on embedded systems, cloud, and mobile applications, along with hands-on technical leadership experience and knowledge of cybersecurity standards is essential.

In a typical day, a Principal Engineer, Product Cybersecurity will tackle various tasks such as leading threat analysis sessions, working on system requirements, liaising with business leaders, and providing technical guidance across projects. The role also involves hands-on problem solving to remove obstacles for the engineering teams and working independently across multiple projects with minimal oversight.

As a Principal Engineer, Product Cybersecurity, you'll have numerous paths for career advancement. Opportunities might include progressing into higher management roles, specialized technical leadership positions, or even branch into strategic program management within cybersecurity. Continuous learning and mentorship roles also significantly boost your career trajectory.

The Principal Engineer, Product Cybersecurity role relates to multiple industries, particularly the automotive, manufacturing, IoT, and software sectors. It perfectly blends security with technology, making it a critical position in industries focused on connectivity and automation.

The Principal Engineer, Product Cybersecurity works closely with various internal teams, including engineering, design, and business leaders to ensure that security is integrated into every phase of product development. Your role involves proactive communication to share insights, feedback on challenges faced, and guiding teams in implementing security-by-design practices.

We value extensive experience in security engineering, specifically focusing on identifying risks and developing countermeasures. Experience of at least two years in various fields like automotive or IoT, as well as familiarity with compliance regulations and cybersecurity frameworks, are highly regarded for this role.

While certification such as OSCP, CISSP, or similar can significantly boost your candidacy for the Principal Engineer, Product Cybersecurity position, relevant experience and demonstrable skills in security engineering are equally important. Continuous professional development is encouraged regardless of certification status.

To effectively answer this question, detail a specific project where you identified vulnerabilities in embedded systems. Discuss the methods you used to assess risks and any countermeasures you implemented, demonstrating your technical competence and problem-solving skills.

Discuss your approach to project management, emphasizing the importance of effective communication with stakeholders about timelines and dependencies. Share examples of how you have successfully navigated setbacks and ensured deadlines were met while maintaining security compliance.

Mention specific frameworks you have experience with, such as ISO, NIST, or OWASP. Explain how you’ve used these in previous roles to assess risks and develop security strategies, demonstrating your familiarity with best practices in the industry.

Illustrate your leadership abilities by walking through a situation where you proactively identified an emerging threat. Detail the steps you took to assess the risk, engage with the team, and implement mitigation strategies.

Explain your strategies for addressing technical matters in a way that is understandable to non-technical stakeholders. Share examples of successful collaborations where clear communication led to better understanding and project outcomes.

Discuss how you establish security guidelines, including your processes for identifying vulnerabilities, engaging with technical teams early, and ensuring that security has a foundational role in product development from concept to launch.

Talk about the importance of real-time threat assessment, secure software updates, and the necessity of a privacy-by-design approach. Make sure to include how these aspects drive consumer trust and product safety in the automotive industry.

Share your method for staying updated on the latest trends, such as attending industry conferences, following thought leaders, reading relevant publications, or engaging in online courses. Emphasize your commitment to continuous learning in your role.

Talk about the importance of mentoring in fostering a collaborative environment and the personal development of team members. Share specific instances where mentoring has contributed positively to team morale or project success.

Reflect on a defining achievement in your career that showcases your skills and dedication. Explain the situation, the actions you took to achieve success, and the impact it had on your team or organization.