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Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and technically exceptional Lead Security Research Engineer to drive our Vulnerability Detection Signature Research team. In this role, you will set the technical direction for how we research, develop, and deliver advanced vulnerability detection libraries for our scanning product suite, while mentoring engineers and raising the bar for detection quality across the team.
Beyond hands-on research, you will own the roadmap for detection coverage, champion automation to scale our research capabilities, and partner with leadership and cross-functional teams to solve the hardest problems in vulnerability detection. Exposure to AI/ML is a strong plus. If you combine deep vulnerability research expertise with the ability to lead people and technical strategy, this role is for you.
Responsibilities
Set technical direction and own the roadmap for vulnerability detection libraries (signatures) across Qualys Scanner product suite.
Lead the research, design, and development of new detection logic and the enhancement of existing content for databases, applications, operating systems, TCP/IP protocols, and network devices.
Mentor and technically guide Senior and mid-level Research Engineers, conducting design and code reviews and establishing best practices and standards for high-quality detection content.
Explore and, where valuable, drive the adoption of AI/ML techniques to accelerate research, development, and validation such as automated signature generation, false positive/negative reduction, anomaly detection, and intelligent triage of emerging vulnerabilities.
Design and scale automation frameworks for recurring research, development, and validation tasks.
Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and threat trends, and collaborate with customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to expand detection coverage.
Partner with Customer Support and Research teams to lead the resolution of complex customer issues, such as false positives/negatives, and drive systemic fixes.
Represent the team in cross-functional planning, providing technical estimates, risk assessments, and delivery commitments.
Champion strong documentation, knowledge sharing, and a culture of engineering excellence.
Qualifications
7+ years of experience in network and systems security, including demonstrated technical leadership or team mentorship.
Deep understanding of common protocols: TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, SSH, SSL/TLS.
Strong knowledge of common security vulnerabilities and mitigation techniques.
Hands-on experience with Python and Bash scripting.
Hands-on working experience with containers and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes).
Familiarity with network analysis tools and packet capture analysis.
Strong ability to prioritize, plan, and manage multiple workstreams and people in a fast-paced environment.
System administration experience on Windows or Unix/Linux platforms.
Strong understanding of VPNs, Firewalls, and IDS/IPS technologies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders.
Additional Plus Competencies
Exposure to applying AI/ML to security problems - e.g., using machine learning for detection, classification, anomaly detection, or pattern recognition, or leveraging LLMs to automate research, code, or content-generation workflows.
Knowledge of Lua (preferred) or Java.
Experience with virtualization platforms such as VMWare, VirtualBox, XEN, etc.
Understanding of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud), including their AI/ML services.
Experience using or developing vulnerability scanners, IDS/IPS, and other security tools.
Prior experience building security-related tools or automation at scale.
Industry certifications such as OSCP, CISSP, and GIAC.
Track record of leading projects and small teams independently with minimal supervision.
Why Join Us?
Lead cutting-edge security research and shape how AI/ML transforms vulnerability detection alongside a talented, collaborative engineering team.
Directly influence the security posture of thousands of customers.
Opportunities for professional development, certifications, and continuous learning.
Inclusive culture that values innovation, ownership, and customer impact.
Skills Required
- 7+ years of experience in network and systems security, including demonstrated technical leadership or team mentorship
- Deep understanding of TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, SSH, SSL/TLS
- Strong knowledge of common security vulnerabilities and mitigation techniques
- Hands-on experience with Python and Bash scripting
- Hands-on working experience with containers and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Familiarity with network analysis tools and packet capture analysis
- System administration experience on Windows or Unix/Linux platforms
- Strong understanding of VPNs, Firewalls, and IDS/IPS technologies
- Strong ability to prioritize, plan, and manage multiple workstreams and people
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Exposure to applying AI/ML to security problems (automated signature generation, anomaly detection, LLMs)
- Knowledge of Lua or Java
- Experience with virtualization platforms (VMWare, VirtualBox, XEN)
- Understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud)
- Experience using or developing vulnerability scanners, IDS/IPS, and other security tools
- Prior experience building security-related tools or automation at scale
- Industry certifications such as OSCP, CISSP, or GIAC
- Track record of leading projects and small teams independently
Qualys Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Qualys and has not been reviewed or approved by Qualys.
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Affordable Benefits — Benefits costs are widely viewed as low for employees and dependents, with healthcare often described as almost fully paid for. Feedback suggests this affordability helps offset perceptions of lower base pay in some roles.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare offerings are broad, including multiple medical plan options, dental and vision coverage, mental health support, and disability insurance. Benefits are described as “pretty amazing” or “great,” reinforcing perceived quality and coverage depth.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity participation is accessible through company stock plans and an employee stock purchase plan. Compensation packages commonly include equity alongside salary and bonus, which some consider a meaningful part of total rewards.
Qualys Insights
What We Do
Qualys, Inc. (NASDAQ: QLYS) is a pioneer and leading provider of disruptive cloud-based security, compliance and IT solutions with more than 10,000 subscription customers worldwide, including a majority of the Forbes Global 100 and Fortune 100. Qualys helps organizations streamline and automate their security and compliance solutions onto a single platform for greater agility, better business outcomes, and substantial cost savings. The Qualys Cloud Platform leverages a single agent to continuously deliver critical security intelligence while enabling enterprises to automate the full spectrum of vulnerability detection, compliance, and protection for IT systems, workloads and web applications across on premises, endpoints, servers, public and private clouds, containers, and mobile devices. Founded in 1999 as one of the first SaaS security companies, Qualys has strategic partnerships and seamlessly integrates its vulnerability management capabilities into security offerings from cloud service providers, including Amazon Web Services, the Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure, along with a number of leading managed service providers and global consulting organizations. For more information, please visit http://www.qualys.com
