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An overview of this role

Join GitLab's Security Policies team and architect the security infrastructure that protects millions of applications worldwide! As a Backend Engineer, you'll tackle one of the industry's most critical challenges: making security enforcement seamless without slowing down development. You'll lead a major technical transformation - migrating from YAML-based policy storage to first-class GitLab entities - while becoming a cross-platform integration expert connecting features across our entire platform. This role offers an exciting opportunity to design solutions that efficiently enforce security policies across thousands of projects for the world's largest organizations. You'll serve as a DRI for features from planning to release, working on cutting-edge security automation that makes policies invisible to developers while providing unprecedented control to security teams. If you're passionate about solving complex security challenges at global scale and ready to make a significant impact, we'd love to hear from you!

Examples of our projects:

• Pipeline Execution Policies - Intelligent automation for security workflows
• Scan Execution Policies - Adaptive security scanning across diverse tech stacks
• Merge Request Approval Policies - Sophisticated approval workflows that scale with enterprise needs
• External Status Checks - Seamless third-party security tool integration

What You'll Do

• Lead the architectural transformation of policy storage from YAML files to first-class GitLab entities
• Design and implement security policy features that enforce behaviors across thousands of projects efficiently
• Serve as DRI for features, taking them from initial planning through successful release with post coverage
• Connect and integrate features across GitLab's platform, working with teams from Verify to Code Review
• Champion comprehensive testing and code quality improvements to ensure reliability at scale
• Collaborate with Sec Section teams and cross-functional partners to deliver seamless security automation
• Optimize performance and security in high-scale distributed systems
• Provide technical leadership by independently solving complex requirements with minimal guidance
• Contribute to on-call rotations, ensuring the stability and security of GitLab operations

What You'll Bring

• Proven expertise in Ruby on Rails development (2-4 years experience)
• Proficiency in SQL databases, particularly PostgreSQL
• Strong understanding of software testing methodologies and test-driven development practices
• API development and integration experience with complex systems
• Ability to understand and work with large, interconnected codebases and abstract complex problems
• Experience taking projects from concept to production independently
• Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate across multiple teams and time zones
• Security domain knowledge (OWASP, CVE/CWE, vulnerability lifecycle) is highly valued
• Experience collaborating with AI tools is a plus
• GitLab platform and CI/CD experience preferred
• Highly organized, self-starter with strong self-management skills

About the team

The Security Policies team sits at the critical intersection of security and developer productivity, building intelligent automation that makes security policies invisible to developers while providing unprecedented control to security teams. Our work directly addresses the growing complexity of modern application security - from managing vulnerabilities across diverse tech stacks to orchestrating sophisticated approval workflows that scale with enterprise needs. We're not just building features; we're crafting the security infrastructure that will protect the next generation of software.

We're strategically adding an Backend Engineer to unlock our team's full potential. This creates a perfect growth opportunity - you'll have dedicated mentorship from experienced security engineers, clear progression paths, and increasing ownership of high-impact features as you grow. Our team of 11 skilled engineers (5 Backend, 2 Frontend, 1 Fullstack, plus Engineering Manager, Product Manager, and UX Designer) spans multiple time zones with 3+ years of established collaboration patterns.

Our technical roadmap is available at https://about.gitlab.com/direction/security_risk_management/security_policies/#priorities. We're expanding our policy ecosystem including enhanced Vulnerability Management Policies, advanced MR Approval Policies, and intelligent Pipeline Execution Policies, while adding more automation capabilities and tighter integrations with security tools.

More information about our team:

• Team Handbook Page
• Product Direction
• Current Priorities
• Security Risk Management: Security Policies YouTube Playlist

How GitLab will support you

• Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
• All remote, asynchronous work environment
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Team Member Resource Groups
• Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Growth and development budget
• Parental leave
• Home office support

Please note that we welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you're excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application.

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GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of 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 (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.