Intermediate Vulnerability Research Engineer, Application Security Testing: Vulnerability Research

GitLab is an open core software company that develops the most comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps Platform, used by more than 100,000 organizations. Our mission is to enable everyone to contribute to and co-create the software that powers our world. When everyone can contribute, consumers become contributors, significantly accelerating the rate of human progress. This mission is integral to our culture, influencing how we hire, build products, and lead our industry. We make this possible at GitLab by running our operations on our product and staying aligned with our values. Learn more about Life at GitLab.

An overview of this role

You'll be at the forefront of our R&D efforts within our Engineering department in this role. You’ll be expected to focus on improving GitLab’s security detection capabilities in our Application Security Testing stage groups. This includes SAST, DAST, Secret Detection and Composition Analysis, and future products.

Vulnerability Research Engineers perform research to analyze software vulnerabilities, exploitation methods, track new vectors, discover novel methods and approaches in software security, and apply this knowledge to the security products and GitLab itself. 

What You’ll Do  

• Carry out research and come up with proofs of concepts that affect the security products and GitLab, including SAST, DAST, Secret Detection and Composition Analysis.
• Curate advisory databases for dependency scanning. This is a semi-automatic task that includes auditing/reviewing, editing existing and adding new advisories to the database while, at the same time, trying to automate repetitive tasks away as much as possible.
• Build/develop benchmarks to test the efficacy of scanning and detection products to constantly improve quality of results.
• Measure and Improve the efficacy of scanning and detection products over time.
• Write detailed technical reports.
• Assess security product output results and conduct root cause analysis to improve efficacy.
• Respond to internal and external customer inquiries on vulnerabilities and related topics.

What You’ll Bring 

• 3+ years of direct experience in developing and improving vulnerability detection products in the context of web security.
• Knowledge of the vulnerability management process.
• Knowledge of software composition analysis (SCA) and software supply chain ecosystems.
• Experience with source code analysis, static application security testing (SAST), and dynamic application security testing (DAST) along with benchmarking experience testing the efficacy of these products.
• Knowledge about compilers, compiler design and construction.
• Experience developing automated web security testing/analysis tools.
• Experience in product development.
• You have a passion for security and open source, and enjoy collaborating with cross-functional teams.

About the team

The Vulnerability Research team works closely with GitLab Security, Development, and Product teams to build, tune and improve the efficacy of the security products that are integrated into GitLab.

Thanks to our Transparency value, you can get a better sense of what the team does daily by browsing some of our past information sharing sessions.

How GitLab will support you

• Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
• All remote, asynchronous work environment
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Team Member Resource Groups
• Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Growth and development budget 
• Parental leave 
• Home office support

Please note that we welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you're excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application.

The base salary range for this role’s listed level is currently for residents of listed locations only. Grade level and salary ranges are determined through interviews and a review of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant, equity with other team members, and alignment with market data. See more information on our benefits and equity. Sales roles are also eligible for incentive pay targeted at up to 100% of the offered base salary.

California/Colorado/Hawaii/New Jersey/New York/Washington/DC pay range$98,000—$210,000 USD

Country Hiring Guidelines: GitLab hires new team members in countries around the world. All of our roles are remote, however some roles may carry specific location-based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can help answer any questions about location after starting the recruiting process.  

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GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.