Security Software Engineer

Canonical Group - Pittsburgh, PA

Full-time - Mid Level

Pittsburgh, PA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Security Software Engineer role at Canonical focuses on enhancing security across all product engineering teams. This position is designed for exceptional security-focused software engineers who will lead security initiatives, contribute to product development, and ensure robust security practices are integrated into the software lifecycle. The role involves collaboration with various teams and external partners to improve security features, conduct vulnerability assessments, and maintain compliance with security standards.

Responsibilities

• Define, implement and document new security features
• Lead security-oriented thinking in a product engineering team
• Analyze, fix, and test vulnerabilities in Canonical and open source Software
• Contribute to Ubuntu and upstream projects to benefit the community
• Audit and analyze source code for vulnerabilities
• Integrate new tools in our security infrastructure, pipelines and processes
• Achieve and retain various security certifications
• Extend and enhance Linux cryptographic components with required features for compliance
• Work with external partners to develop CIS benchmarks
• Design and develop hardening automation for Ubuntu
• Monitor the security industry for new developments
• Develop, test and maintain new software capabilities
• Provide guidance and support to other engineering teams

Requirements

• An exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path
• Drive and a track record of going above-and-beyond expectations
• A thorough understanding of the common categories of security vulnerabilities
• Modern engineering techniques to find and fix them
• Familiarity with open source development tools and methodologies
• Skill in one or more of C, Python, Go, Rust, Java, Ruby or PHP
• Experience as a security champion
• Experience driving security within a wider SDLC process
• Professional written and spoken English
• Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred)
• Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability
• Passion, thoughtfulness, and self-motivation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Result-oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments

Nice-to-haves

• Clear and effective communication with the team and Ubuntu community members
• Experience working with Linux Kernel
• Security Certification experience and knowledge in FIPS and/or CC
• Experience with OVAL (Open Vulnerability Assessment Language)
• Knowledge of and familiarity with low-level Linux cryptography APIs
• Demonstrated high learning ability
• Performance engineering experience

Benefits

• Performance-driven annual bonus
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
• Annual compensation review
• Recognition rewards
• Annual holiday leave
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
• Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events