An overview of this role

As an Intermediate Vulnerability Researcher, AST: Vulnerability Research, you'll help improve how GitLab detects and understands software vulnerabilities across our Application Security Testing offerings. Your work will support stronger detection in Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Secret Detection, and Composition Analysis (SCA), while also contributing to future security products. You will research vulnerabilities and exploitation methods, turn findings into practical improvements, and help GitLab teams and customers get more accurate, useful security results. In this role, you'll work at the intersection of research, product quality, and security engineering within GitLab's Engineering organization. You will help shape how detection capabilities evolve over time by creating proof of concepts, evaluating product output, and applying root cause analysis to improve efficacy. This is a strong fit if you're motivated by practical security research and want your work to influence both GitLab's platform and the people who rely on it.

What you'll do

• Carry out vulnerability research and develop proof of concepts that inform GitLab security products and internal security efforts.
• Curate advisory databases for dependency scanning by reviewing, editing, and adding advisories while reducing repetitive manual work through automation.
• Build benchmarks that test the efficacy of scanning and detection products across supported security categories.
• Measure product efficacy over time and use findings to improve the quality and reliability of detection results.
• Assess security product output and perform root cause analysis to identify gaps, false positives, false negatives, and opportunities for improvement.
• Write detailed technical reports that document research findings, methods, and recommendations clearly.
• Respond to internal and external questions related to vulnerabilities, advisories, and detection behavior.
• Collaborate with Security, Development, and Product teams to apply research insights to GitLab's integrated security capabilities.

What you'll bring

• Experience developing or improving vulnerability detection capabilities in web security or a closely related area.
• Knowledge of the vulnerability management process and how research connects to product outcomes.
• Understanding 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 efficacy of security tools.
• Knowledge of compilers and compiler design as it relates to code analysis and detection techniques.
• Experience building automated web security testing or analysis tools.
• Ability to contribute in a product development environment and work effectively with cross-functional partners.
• Interest in security and open source, with openness to candidates who bring transferable experience from adjacent research, application security, or detection-focused roles.

About the team

The Vulnerability Research team at GitLab works closely with GitLab Security, Development, and Product to build, tune, and improve the efficacy of the security capabilities integrated into GitLab. We focus on practical research that strengthens detection quality, supports advisory content, and helps translate emerging vulnerability knowledge into product improvements across a distributed, asynchronous environment.

Compensation and benefits

The base salary range for this role’s listed level is currently for residents of the United States only. This range is intended to reflect the role's base salary rate in locations throughout the US. Grade level and salary ranges are determined through interviews and a review of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant, equity with other team members, alignment with market data, and geographic location. The base salary range does not include any bonuses, equity, or benefits.

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

How GitLab will support you

• Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Team Member Resource Groups
• Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Growth and Development Fund
• Parental leave
• Home office support