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.