Staff Application Security Engineer – Threat Research

CVS Health is seeking a Staff Application Security Engineer focused on Threat Research to strengthen the security of healthcare technology. In this onsite role in Columbia, SC, you will apply application security engineering and secure development practices while partnering with engineering teams to reduce risk across cloud and enterprise environments.

Role Overview

You will secure healthcare technology by combining application security engineering, threat research, and secure development practices. The position emphasizes risk identification, security control implementation, and strengthening defenses across cloud and enterprise platforms, including support for security automation and vulnerability management programs.

Responsibilities

• Implement and support application security standards, policies, and best practices.
• Partner with engineering teams to integrate security into design, development, testing, and deployment processes.
• Promote secure coding practices and assist teams in remediating security findings.
• Contribute to security automation initiatives that improve efficiency and scalability.
• Research emerging threats, vulnerabilities, attack techniques, and security trends.
• Perform application security assessments, threat modeling, and vulnerability analysis.
• Evaluate risks and provide actionable recommendations to engineering teams.
• Leverage threat intelligence to enhance application security controls and detection capabilities.
• Design, configure, and support security technologies across cloud and enterprise environments.
• Assist with implementation and management of security controls that protect applications, APIs, and data.
• Support vulnerability management and remediation programs.
• Contribute to the development of scalable and resilient security architectures.
• Work closely with software engineers, architects, platform teams, and security stakeholders.
• Participate in design reviews to ensure security requirements are incorporated early in the development lifecycle.
• Communicate technical security findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Participate in security investigations and incident response activities as needed.
• Support operational security functions across cloud and enterprise environments.
• Assist in identifying root causes and implementing long-term remediation strategies.
• Serve as a technical mentor for engineers and application security practitioners.
• Share knowledge through training sessions, presentations, and documentation.
• Contribute to building a culture of security awareness and continuous learning.
• Evaluate emerging security tools and technologies.
• Contribute to security research initiatives and proof-of-concept efforts.
• Recommend process improvements that strengthen the effectiveness of application security programs.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in application security, information security, software engineering, or related roles.
• 5+ years of experience with one or more programming or scripting languages such as Java, Python, JavaScript, C#, C/C++, PowerShell, or Shell scripting.
• 3+ years of experience securing public cloud environments including AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
• 3+ years of experience with container technologies including Docker and Kubernetes.
• 3+ years of experience with Infrastructure as Code or Security as Code practices.
• 3+ years of experience performing application security assessments, vulnerability analysis, and threat modeling.

Technologies

• Java, Python, JavaScript, C#, C/C++, PowerShell, Shell scripting
• AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform
• Docker, Kubernetes
• Infrastructure as Code, Security as Code

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing data protection controls and supporting compliance requirements.
• Experience working with web application security technologies including Web Application Firewalls and API security solutions.
• Experience providing security guidance and remediation recommendations to development teams.
• Experience designing and implementing security solutions within cloud-native environments.
• Knowledge of application security testing methodologies and industry frameworks.
• Understanding of network security fundamentals and cloud networking concepts.
• Experience with DevSecOps platforms, CI/CD pipelines, and security automation.
• Familiarity with compliance and regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, HITRUST, PCI DSS, NIST, or CSA.
• Experience supporting security for data platforms, analytics environments, or technologies such as Snowflake.
• Knowledge of threat intelligence, attack simulation, and offensive security concepts.
• Experience contributing to security communities, research, presentations, blogs, or open-source initiatives.
• Ability to influence technical decisions across multiple engineering teams without direct authority.

Compensation and Pay Range

USD 106,605 - 284,280 per year. The typical pay range for this role is $106,605.00 - $284,280.00. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company’s equity award program.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid time off
• Retirement savings options
• Wellness programs
• Comprehensive benefits package supporting physical, emotional, and financial well-being
• Eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above
• Includes an award target in the company’s equity award program
• Full-time position eligible for a comprehensive benefits package (based on eligibility)

Additional Details

• The Health100 platform integrates participating health plan, PBM, pharmacy (retail and specialty), provider, digital health point solution provider, and employer, and addresses the top health care challenges for the consumer.
• Anticipated application window closing date: 10/27/2026.
• Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.