Secures applications through code review, SAST/DAST and secure design coaching.
Entry
Senior
Coding
High
Key skills
Career overview
The Application Security Engineer works where code meets risk: threat modelling, secure code review, SAST/DAST, dependency scanning and coaching developers on secure design. They embed security into the SDLC and shift remediation left. The role bridges development and security, leading to senior security engineering, architecture or DevSecOps.
Main responsibilities
- Secure applications through review and testing
- Embed security into CI/CD and development
- Write, test and review production code
- Write unit and integration tests
- Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines
- Mentor junior team members and review their work
- Keep technical documentation up to date
- Lead incident resolution and post-mortem analysis
- Prepare and execute change requests in production
- Design and document REST APIs
- Lead a development team and set standards
- Write and maintain knowledge base articles
Technical skills
Technologies
Education level
Education requirements vary depending on the company, country and experience. Professional experience, certifications and technical skills can sometimes compensate for formal education.
High School / Bac
Less common
Bac+2 (2-year degree)
Less common
Bac+3 (Bachelor)
Common entry point
Bac+5 (Master / Engineering)
Common entry point
Experience & coding level
Experience level
Coding level
Useful certifications
Certifications are never mandatory. They are one way among others to prove a skill.
- GIAC GSSP
- OWASP OSWE
- Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
Where can this career take you?
Multiple paths are possible. Click a role to open its profile.
Direct progression
Possible branches
Where can you go next?
Realistic next career moves, with compatibility and a transition roadmap for each.
Overlap: 49% · Difficulty: Easy
Skills to learn: Zero-trust design, Detection engineering, IAM & PAM
View roadmapOverlap: 36% · Difficulty: Hard
Skills to learn: Zero-trust design, IAM architecture, Frameworks (NIST/ISO)
View roadmapWhere can you go from here?
A typical progression built from real career relationships. Click any role to open its profile.
Soft skills
- Rigour and attention to detail
- Clear communication
- Ability to explain and teach
- Problem solving
- Technical curiosity
- Mentoring
- Documentation writing
Related resources
Continue your career exploration
Keep moving: compare roles, follow a roadmap, read a guide or prepare for an interview.
Ready to explore your next step?
A documented transition from this role to the next.
Application Security EngineerSenior Security Engineer
Keep exploring
Compare this role with others, or check which career fits you best.