Prudential Financial

Lead, Application Security

Prudential Financial • $123K — $204K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering or equivalent experience
  • Expertise in vulnerability and security frameworks such as CVE, CVSS, EPSS, CWE
  • Experience leading application security and vulnerability management programs
  • Strong partnership skills with engineering teams for effective remediation
  • Proficient in agile and DevSecOps environments
  • Hands-on knowledge of industry security frameworks, including OWASP and MITRE ATT&CK
  • Experience with application security tooling (SAST, SCA, DAST)

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the technical lead for Application Security and Attack Surface Management
  • Lead design and execution of application security assessment and risk governance
  • Bridge collaboration between AppSec, DevOps, and business teams for security alignment
  • Define future-state vision for application security based on operational insights
  • Enhance vulnerability monitoring processes across software types
  • Drive automated security integration into CI/CD pipelines
  • Mentor junior team members to improve team capabilities

Benefits

  • Market competitive base salaries with bonus potential
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage
  • 401(k) plan with company match and a company-funded pension plan
  • Wellness programs offering reimbursements for personal wellbeing
  • Work/life resources for various personal and professional needs
  • Education benefit for traditional college enrollment and certificate programs
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan to buy shares at a discounted rate
Full Job Description

Job Classification:

Technology - Information Security

Your Team & Role

As a Lead, Application Security on the Attack Surface Management team, you will play a critical technical and strategic leadership role in advancing Prudential’s enterprise application security program. You will partner closely with senior security leaders, the Information Security Office, the Chief Technology Office, and global engineering teams to drive secure-by-design outcomes and measurable risk reduction across Prudential’s digital ecosystem.

In this role, you will be accountable for shaping, governing, and maturing application security capabilities for modern, cloud-native, and DevOps-driven environments. You will lead complex initiatives that secure applications at scale, influence future architecture and engineering practices, and embed security controls into CI/CD pipelines through automation and self-service enablement.

You will operate as a senior escalation point, trusted advisor, and technical authority, working on highly complex and ambiguous problems where judgment, experience, and influence are required. Your work will have a direct impact on Prudential’s products, platforms, and customer trust.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in modern application architecture, cloud security, and DevSecOps, along with a forward-looking mindset focused on scaling security through automation, policy-as-code, and engineering-first solutions.

Here is What You Can Expect on a Typical Day

  • Serve as the technical lead and escalation point for complex operational and project work across the Application Security and Attack Surface Management domains.
  • Provide expert-level technical leadership for application security tools, platforms, and assessment methodologies.
  • Lead the design, evolution, and execution of application security assessment, response, and risk governance processes.
  • Leverage deep AppSec and DevSecOps expertise to solve complex technical, process, and organizational challenges impacting risk reduction.
  • Act as a bridge between AppSec, DevOps, Cloud, and business teams, ensuring security requirements are understood, actionable, and aligned to delivery objectives.
  • Partner with senior leadership to define the future-state vision for Prudential’s application security program, informed by hands-on operational insight.
  • Lead the maturation of vulnerability and configuration monitoring across first-party, third-party, and open-source software.
  • Drive the integration of security controls into CI/CD pipelines, enabling automated enforcement, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Design and evolve security policies, standards, and alerting mechanisms aligned to SOX, NIST, PCI DSS, and other regulatory frameworks.
  • Evaluate and vet new security technologies, providing strategic recommendations and technical due diligence.
  • Apply qualitative and quantitative analysis to improve developer experience, security outcomes, and adoption of secure-by-design practices.
  • Champion secure-by-design principles across the SDLC through guidance, standards, tooling, and hands-on engagement.
  • Validate and document compensating controls and mitigations to manage risk until remediation is complete.
  • Ensure risk and performance metrics accurately represent application security posture for executive and regulatory audiences.
  • Author and maintain technical documentation, standards, and SOPs that continuously improve program maturity.
  • Develop proof-of-concept exploits in lab environments to demonstrate exploitability and validate remediation effectiveness.
  • Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior team members, raising overall team capability and consistency.
  • Define requirements for workflow orchestration and automation to manage application security posture at enterprise scale.

The Skills & Expertise You Bring

  • Bachelor of Computer Science/Engineering or formal experience in related fields
  • Deep familiarity with vulnerability and security frameworks and data sources (CVE, CVSS, EPSS, CWE)
  • Proven experience leading and maturing application security and vulnerability management programs
  • Strong ability to partner with engineering teams to validate findings, reduce false positives, and drive effective remediation
  • Engineering mindset with strong systems thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to articulate technical and business risk to varied audiences
  • Experience working in agile and DevSecOps environments
  • Hands-on experience with industry frameworks (OWASP Top 10, OWASP WSTG, PTES, MITRE ATT&CK)
  • Deep experience with SAST, SCA, DAST, and ASPM tooling
  • Strong understanding of software composition analysis (SCA), SBOMs, and supply chain risk

Preferred qualifications:

  • Scripting and automation experience (Python, PowerShell, Bash)
  • Experience performing exploit validation and web application penetration testing
  • Strong understanding of threat actors and real-world attack techniques
  • Knowledge of security standards and frameworks (NIST, CIS, PCI DSS)
  • Experience applying Agentic AI or AI-assisted approaches to security use cases
  • Advanced security certifications (e.g., OSCP, GPEN, GWAPT, CASP+, GCSA, GCFA, GCIH)
  • Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and lead through expertise

You9ll Love Working Here Because You Can

Join a team and culture where your voice matters; where every day, your work transforms our experiences to make lives better. As you put your skills to use, we9ll help you make an even bigger impact with learning experiences that can grow your technical AND leadership capabilities. You9ll be surprised by what this rock-solid organization has in store for you.

What we offer you:


Prudential is required by state specific laws to include the salary range for this role when hiring a resident in applicable locations. The salary range for this role is from $123,700.00 to $204,100.00. Specific pricing for the role may vary within the above range based on many factors including geographic location, candidate experience, and skills.
  • Market competitive base salaries, with a yearly bonus potential at every level.

  • Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, Paid Time Off (PTO), and leave of absences, such as parental and military leave.

  • 401(k) plan with company match (up to 4%).

  • Company-funded pension plan.

  • Wellness Programsincluding up to $1,600 a year for reimbursement of items purchased to support personal wellbeing needs.

  • Work/Life Resources to help support topics such as parenting, housing, senior care, finances, pets, legal matters, education, emotional and mental health, and career development.

  • Education Benefit to help finance traditional college enrollment toward obtaining an approved degree and many accredited certificate programs.

  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Shares can be purchased at 85% of the lower of two prices (Beginning or End of the purchase period), after one year of service.

Eligibility to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance. To find out more about our Total Rewards package, visit Some of the above benefits may not apply to part-time employees scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week.

Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States is not affiliated with Prudential plc. which is headquartered in the United Kingdom.

About Prudential Financial

Prudential Financial is a financial services company that specializes in the fields of investment management, life insurance, and retirement benefits. It focuses on helping individuals and institutional customers to grow and protect their wealth. The company also offers an inclusive work environment where employees can develop to their full potential, and give back to the communities where they live and work. Prudential Financial was founded in 1875 and headquartered in Newark, New Jersey.

Prudential Financial Careers

Join the esteemed ranks of Prudential Financial, a global leader in financial services, where your career is nurtured, your innovation valued, and your professional growth guaranteed. Work You’ll Do At Prudential Financial, we are committed to helping individuals and businesses tackle their financial challenges with robust solutions. As part of our team, you will lead efforts to innovate and expand our services, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of the financial industry. Transform the financial landscape with your expertise and join a team where diversity, leadership, and personal growth are not just encouraged but actively fostered. With Prudential Financial, you position yourself at the nexus of finance and cutting-edge innovation. Collaborate with a global network of professionals, dedicated to steering clients through their financial journeys with precision and foresight. Our culture thrives on teamwork, leadership, and a shared commitment to excellence. Prudential Financial Job Opportunities We are actively hiring and have a variety of job opportunities designed to bring out the best in each employee. From entry-level positions to leadership roles, Prudential Financial offers a path for every ambitious professional eager to make an impact in the financial sector. Do Innovative Work Join our team of over 40,000 professionals worldwide, working together to reshape the future of finance. At Prudential Financial, your skills in networking, strategic thinking, and leadership will drive change and foster an environment of continuous innovation and growth. Internship Programs Kickstart your career with a Prudential Financial internship. Our programs offer invaluable industry insights and hands-on experience, making them a perfect starting point for students and recent graduates eager to make their mark. Benefits and Culture Prudential Financial is not just about professional achievements but also about personal well-being. Our employees enjoy comprehensive benefits, including health, life, and disability insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. More than just benefits, our company culture is built on mutual respect, inclusivity, and the collective pursuit of excellence. Future-Proof Your Career With Prudential Financial, career advancement is a reality. We provide extensive training and development programs, including leadership and diversity training, to ensure you are always ahead of the curve. Explore Discover how Prudential Financial leads the way in financial innovation and client service. Read more about our latest projects and the impact they have on our clients and the industry. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Explore Prudential Financial jobs today and find where you fit in our dynamic team. Keep Up to Date Stay informed with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Prudential Financial.
Learn more about Prudential Financial
Size
88 employees
Market Cap
$36.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$374 million
Founded
1875
5 Year Trend
+3.8%
Revenue
$57 billion
NASDAQ

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