Cybersecurity Engineer IV Application Security
Location: Chicago, IL | Peoria, IL | Dallas, TX
Work Model: Hybrid (Currently onsite every Wednesday; role is expected to transition to 5 days/week onsite. Candidates must be local and willing to work onsite full-time when required.)
Duration: Duration: 12 months
Important Notes
- This is an Application Security position, not a general Cybersecurity role.
- Candidates with backgrounds focused primarily on Network Security, SOC Operations, Infrastructure Security, or traditional Cybersecurity without significant Application Security experience are unlikely to be a strong fit.
- Experience collaborating directly with software development teams and integrating security throughout the SDLC is essential.
Position Overview
Client is seeking an experienced Cybersecurity Engineer IV specializing in Application Security to join its Security Engineering team. This is not a general cybersecurity role the primary focus is embedding security throughout the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) while partnering directly with software engineering teams.
The selected candidate will support external-facing, revenue-generating eCommerce and web applications, ensuring security is integrated from application design through deployment and production. This position is ideal for security professionals who have experience working alongside developers to build secure applications rather than performing security assessments after development is complete.
About the Team
The Security Engineering team partners closely with Caterpillar's eCommerce Development organization to integrate security into every phase of application development. Engineers work directly with software developers, architects, and technical leaders to improve secure coding practices, identify vulnerabilities early, and implement scalable security solutions throughout the SDLC.
Top Skills
- Application Security
- Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
- Secure Software Development
- SAST & DAST
- Security Governance
- DevSecOps / CI-CD Security
- Vulnerability Management
- Secure Coding Practices
- Software Development Background
- Strong Communication & Stakeholder Management
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with software engineering teams to integrate security throughout the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
- Embed Security by Design principles into application architecture and development.
- Review and improve application security practices across enterprise web applications.
- Identify, analyze, prioritize, and help remediate application security vulnerabilities.
- Utilize and support security testing throughout the SDLC, including Static and Dynamic Application Security Testing (SAST/DAST).
- Analyze application code when necessary to identify security risks and recommend remediation.
- Collaborate with developers to implement secure coding practices.
- Communicate security risks, findings, and recommendations to software engineers, technical leadership, and business stakeholders.
- Provide guidance on secure software development, application security governance, and security best practices.
- Support security integration within CI/CD pipelines and modern development workflows.
- Educate development teams on application security principles and secure development methodologies.
Required Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field with 8+ years of Information Security experience
OR - Master's degree with 6+ years of Information Security experience
Senior candidates with significant Application Security experience are encouraged to apply.
Required Technical Qualifications
Application Security
- Strong hands-on experience in Application Security.
- Experience integrating security into modern Software Development Lifecycles.
- Knowledge of secure software development practices.
- Experience with application security governance.
Software Development Lifecycle (Highest Priority)
Candidates must demonstrate strong understanding of the complete SDLC, including:
- Requirements gathering
- Application architecture
- Software development
- Testing
- Deployment
- Production support
- Application maintenance
Previous software development experience is highly desirable, as this role partners directly with development teams throughout the development lifecycle.
Security Testing
Experience with application security testing methodologies such as:
- Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
- Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)
Experience with any commercial security testing platform is acceptable. Expertise with Caterpillar-specific tools is not required.
Software Development
Preferred experience with:
- Reading and understanding application source code
- Working alongside software developers
- Secure coding practices
- Security integration within CI/CD pipelines
Source Control
Experience with GitHub or similar source control platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
- Software development experience
- Ability to review and analyze application source code
- AI programming or AI model experience
- Experience utilizing AI tools within software development
- Familiarity with secure DevSecOps practices
Candidates with AI experience will receive additional consideration when technical qualifications are otherwise comparable.
Required Soft Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to explain complex cybersecurity concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
- Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills
- Experience working with software engineers, architects, and technical leadership
- Strong presentation and interpersonal skills
- Ability to influence security decisions across multiple teams
Ideal Candidate Profile
Successful candidates will have experience:
- Embedding security throughout the Software Development Lifecycle
- Working directly with software engineering teams
- Supporting secure application development
- Integrating security into CI/CD pipelines
- Performing application security assessments
- Helping developers understand and remediate vulnerabilities
- Securing customer-facing web and eCommerce applications
Why Join This Team?
This role offers the opportunity to secure high-visibility, external-facing eCommerce platforms that directly support Caterpillar's business and customer experience. You'll collaborate with development teams from concept through production, helping build secure, scalable applications that protect business-critical and revenue-generating systems.
Candidate Requirements
Required
- Strong Application Security experience
- Deep understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
- Secure software development expertise
- Experience with SAST and DAST
- Security governance experience
- Ability to work directly with software developers
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Local to Chicago, IL, Peoria, IL, or Dallas, TX
- Willingness to transition to full-time onsite as business needs evolve
Preferred
- Software development background
- Source code review and analysis experience
- GitHub experience
- AI programming or AI model experience
- DevSecOps experience
Interview Process
Round 1 Technical Interview
- Hiring Manager
- Lead Cybersecurity Engineer
Focus Areas:
- Application Security
- Secure SDLC
- Security integration within software development
- Technical experience
- Communication skills
Round 2 Onsite Interview
- In-person team interview
- Technical discussion
- Team fit and collaboration
- Communication and problem-solving assessment
Never miss an opportunity! Create an alert based on the job you applied for.