Sr Software Security Lead Engineer

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Lead Software Engineer at Accela, Inc., supporting the Security team, you will play a critical role in ensuring the security and integrity of our software applications. Your expertise will be instrumental in identifying and addressing potential security vulnerabilities while implementing secure coding practices. Working closely with a new Engineering team, you will lead them in adopting best practices for application security and ensuring compliance with relevant security standards and regulations.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead a Scrum team, focusing on the development of new features, refactoring, and improvement of core applications.
Conduct comprehensive evaluations of web application security, including in-depth analysis of OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities and effective mitigation techniques.
Define rigorous security requirements and lead detailed analysis, emphasizing secure coding practices, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing.
Develop and implement effective remediations for vulnerabilities using cutting-edge security assessment tools such as SAST/DAST vulnerability scanners and penetration testing frameworks.
Take ownership of key services and design complex architectural deliverables, demonstrating both breadth and depth of knowledge in building software products and services.
Guide the team throughout product development by actively engaging in Daily Scrum, Sprint Planning, and Backlog Grooming sessions.
Define requirements and lead analysis and grooming for Scrum team deliverables.
Perform meticulous Code Reviews, craft robust unit tests, document code, and implement software best practices.
Collaborate seamlessly with QA engineers to design and execute testing protocols aimed at identifying and rectifying defects and performance impacts efficiently.
Build and maintain excellent working relationships with peers across multiple departments, including QA, Development, Project Management, and User Experience (UX).
Collaborate with architects and other technical leaders to develop robust enterprise-level solutions impacting multiple services.
Contribute actively to the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) from ideation and design to full implementation, release, and deployment.
Transform innovative ideas into prototypes and refine prototypes into high-quality products.
Assess emerging software technologies and evaluate third-party solutions to identify and integrate best-suited solutions.
Provide production support of services when required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field and at least 10+ years of professional development experience as a software engineer.
• Proven experience in application security, including secure coding practices, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of secure software development principles and methodologies.
• At least 10 years of experience in commonly used programming languages and associated security vulnerabilities and controls.
• Team Leadership or Principal Engineer experience.
• Strong experience with Java Unit Testing Frameworks and Tools such as JUnit, TestNG, Mockito, etc.
• Experience working in continuous integration and continuous deployment systems (CI/CD).
• Experience and ability to coach, mentor, and train junior team members.
• Ability to demonstrate technical leadership and decision-making.
• Analytical thinking - able to simplify complex problems, processes, or projects into component parts, explore and evaluate them systematically.
• Independent thinker with creative, resourceful, and proactive problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team player.
• Experience and understanding of software source control systems, preferably Git.
• Good understanding & working experience in cloud computing platforms such as Azure Cloud.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to convey complex security concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant certifications (e.g., CISSP, CEH, OSCP) are a plus
• Docker/containerization
• Experience working with microservices architecture/SOA
• Enterprise SAAS systems

Accela is establishing a new entity in Costa Rica as part of our global growth strategy. Our organization specializes in advanced SaaS Software Applications covering a wide range of technologies and complex solutions such as: Hybrid Mobile Applications, Data Analytics & Reporting, Enterprise Payment Integrations, Advanced GIS mapping & routing, Responsive Angular UIs, and new AI POCs. These applications are hosted on our multi-cloud platform spanning both Azure and AWS. Being a part of the Accela team provides an opportunity to collaborate with world-class application engineers and a leadership team renowned for expertise in Agriculture, Operations, Security.

Compensation and Benefits: Accela offers a competitive salary and benefits in line with local standards.

Work-Life Balance: Accela is a “remote-first” organization and offers remote work options where feasible so employees can work in an environment that sparks motivation and creativity. Additionally, Accela offers generous paid time off with paid holidays, paid annual leave, paid “wellness days” offered sporadically throughout the year to focus on rest and relaxation, and a company “soft-close” during the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Career Growth and Development: Accela encourages and practices promoting from within to enable employees to hone or expand their skill set, contribute more value to the company, and grow. In addition, Accela offers non-promotional learning and development opportunities for skills enhancement through on-the-job training and internal and external education, including a paid LinkedIn Learning subscription to all employees. As a global company, Accela employees have the opportunity to work closely with international teams, providing a broader perspective and a chance to develop a global network.

Impactful Contributions: As a new member of Accela’s Costa Rica team, you will make significant contributions in setting the tone and influencing the company’s success in a new location. This opportunity provides a chance to make a visible impact.

Accela Culture: Our closely integrated, diverse team thrives on a #oneteam philosophy, embracing agile methodologies for software development, fostering a culture of collaboration, and active communication. At Accela, your ideas matter, your contribution makes an impact, and together we thrive. We think of employees as partners because we are all partners in shared success. We make sure everything we do is through the lens of humanity—from our commitment to the highest-quality SaaS solutions to the way we

engage with our customers and communities to do business responsibly. We offer our employees strong values and purpose, empathetic leadership, and a place where all people feel they belong. Accela believes in building a diverse and inclusive culture where team members can make a real impact.

Your best work starts here. #Oneteam #BeWellWorkWell

ABOUT ACCELA

For nearly 20 years, Accela has been an industry leader in designing and delivering government software to improve efficiency, increase citizen engagement and enable the development of thriving communities. Today, citizens are savvy to how services should be delivered, and expect a consistently convenient, openly transparent view into their local government. While government agencies struggle to do more with less, our mission has never been more critical. Accela provides a robust, cloud-based platform of government software solutions that accelerate growth, efficiency, and transparency in communities of all sizes. From planning, to building, to service request management and more, Accela’s SaaS offerings level the playing field for small and medium governments and enable smaller agencies to leverage larger city technologies. Our open and flexible technology helps agencies address specific needs today, while ensuring they are well prepared for the emerging challenges of the future.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION Accela believes in developing and nurturing a workplace community where our differences are celebrated, and everyone feels a sense of psychological safety and belonging. Accela is committed to putting resources and attention towards evolving our practices, policies, and philosophies to enable diversity to thrive and to support equity in opportunity for everyone.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

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