Intermediate Vulnerability Researcher, AST: Vulnerability Research at GitLab

About GitLab and Our Mission

GitLab is the intelligent orchestration platform for DevSecOps, empowering organizations to boost developer productivity, enhance operational efficiency, minimize security and compliance risks, and accelerate digital transformation. Trusted by over 50 million registered users and more than 50% of the Fortune 100*, GitLab enables teams to ship superior, more secure software faster. Our internal principles mirror our product-first approach: we champion AI as a fundamental productivity multiplier, expecting all team members to integrate AI into their daily tasks to foster efficiency, innovation, and impact. At GitLab, careers thrive, innovation flourishes, and every voice is valued. Our high-performance culture, driven by our core values and continuous knowledge exchange, helps team members reach their full potential while collaborating with industry leaders to tackle complex challenges. Join us in shaping the future as we develop technology that redefines how the world builds software.

*Fortune 500® is a registered trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, used under license. Claim based on GitLab data. Fortune 100 refers to the top 20% ranked companies in the 2025 Fortune 500 list, published in June 2025. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of GitLab.

An Overview of the Role

As an Intermediate Vulnerability Researcher focusing on Application Security Testing (AST) and Vulnerability Research, you will play a crucial role in enhancing GitLab's capabilities for detecting and understanding software vulnerabilities across our entire AST suite. This includes strengthening detection in Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Secret Detection, and Composition Analysis (SCA), while also contributing to the development of future security products. Your work will involve researching vulnerabilities and exploitation methods, translating findings into actionable product improvements, and helping GitLab teams and customers achieve more accurate and useful security results.

This position is at the intersection of security research, product quality, and security engineering within GitLab's Engineering organization. You will help define the evolution of detection capabilities by creating proof of concepts, evaluating product output, and performing root cause analysis to drive efficacy improvements. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about practical security research who want their contributions to significantly influence both GitLab's platform and its global user base.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct vulnerability research and develop proof of concepts that inform GitLab's security products and internal security initiatives.
• Curate advisory databases for dependency scanning by reviewing, editing, and adding advisories, striving to reduce manual effort through automation.
• Develop benchmarks to test the effectiveness of scanning and detection products across supported security categories.
• Monitor and measure product efficacy over time, utilizing findings to improve the quality and reliability of detection results.
• Evaluate security product output and perform root cause analysis to identify detection gaps, false positives, false negatives, and opportunities for enhancement.
• Compose detailed technical reports clearly documenting research findings, methodologies, and recommendations.
• Provide expert responses to internal and external inquiries concerning vulnerabilities, advisories, and detection behaviors.
• Collaborate with Security, Development, and Product teams to integrate research insights into GitLab's comprehensive security features.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in developing or improving vulnerability detection capabilities within web security or a closely related field.
• Solid understanding of the vulnerability management process and its connection to product outcomes.
• Knowledge of software composition analysis and software supply chain ecosystems.
• Experience with source code analysis, static application security testing, dynamic application security testing, and benchmarking the effectiveness of security tools.
• Familiarity with compilers and compiler design, particularly as it pertains to code analysis and detection techniques.
• Experience in building automated web security testing or analysis tools.
• Ability to contribute effectively in a product development environment and collaborate with cross-functional partners.
• A strong interest in security and open source, with an openness to candidates bringing transferable experience from adjacent research, application security, or detection-focused roles.

About the Vulnerability Research Team

The Vulnerability Research team at GitLab works in close partnership with GitLab Security, Development, and Product teams to build, refine, and enhance the efficacy of the security capabilities integrated into the GitLab platform. Our focus is on practical research that strengthens detection quality, supports advisory content, and translates emerging vulnerability knowledge into immediate product improvements within a distributed, asynchronous work environment.

Salary Information

The base salary range for this role's listed level is currently applicable to residents of the United States only. This range reflects the role's base salary rate across various US locations. Grade level and salary ranges are determined by factors such as interviews, evaluation of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant, internal equity, market data alignment, and geographic location. The stated base salary range does not include bonuses, equity, or benefits. Sales roles may also be eligible for incentive pay up to 100% of the offered base salary. For more details on benefits and equity, please refer to GitLab's policies.

United States Salary Range: $98,000 - $210,000 USD

GitLab Employee Benefits

• Comprehensive health, financial, and well-being benefits.
• Flexible Paid Time Off.
• Team Member Resource Groups.
• Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Growth and Development Fund.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Home Office Support.

Hiring & Diversity Guidelines

We encourage interest from candidates with diverse levels of experience, as many successful applicants may not meet every single stated requirement. Studies indicate that individuals from underrepresented groups are often less likely to apply for a job unless they meet every single qualification. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application.

Country Hiring Guidelines: GitLab hires new team members in countries globally. While all our roles are remote, some may have specific location-based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can address any questions about location during the recruiting process.

Privacy Policy: Please review our Recruitment Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to us. GitLab is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Our recruitment, employment, career development, promotion, and retirement policies are based solely on merit, without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, military discharge status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. GitLab maintains a strict policy against discrimination or harassment based on these characteristics. Refer to GitLab's EEO Policy and EEO is the Law for more information. If you require accommodation due to a disability or special need, please inform us during the recruiting process.