Cybersecurity Application Security Engineer

Application Security Engineer

Nelnet is a diversified and innovative company committed to enriching lives through the power of service as a student loan servicer, professional services company, consumer loan originator and servicer, payments processor, renewable energy solutions, and K-12 and higher education expert. For over 40 years, Nelnet has been serving its customers, associates, and communities. The perks of working at Nelnet go beyond our benefits package. When you join the Nelnet team, you're part of a community invested in the success of each individual. That support comes through in our work, as we are united by our mission of creating opportunities for people where they live, learn, and work.

We are seeking a highly skilled Application Security Engineer with strong experience across secure code review, penetration testing, automation, and modern SDLC practices—including emerging AI/LLM security. In this role, you will partner closely with engineering, cloud, and product teams to safeguard our applications, services, and AI-driven components from design through production. You will combine hands-on technical testing with scalable automation and developer enablement to mature our AppSec program and ensure secure, resilient applications at speed.

This position offers a hybrid work option. Nelnet values flexibility and understands the importance of work-life integration. Our hybrid work environment allows associates living within 30 miles of an office location to work remotely for part of the week, while also fostering collaboration and team connection through in-office presence three days per week.

Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. To be considered, candidates must already be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Job Description

Manual Source Code Review

SAST/DAST Scanning

Expand the Security Champions Program

Develop Automated Source Code Review Processes

Work with Product Teams to Ensure Secure SDLC Processes Are in Place

Provide Detailed Vulnerability Reports to Businesses

Experience

2–4 years of hands-on application security experience

Experience integrating security tooling and automated checks into CI/CD pipelines

Familiarity and experience with OWASP Top 10 and web testing methodologies

Experience with effectively assessing and communicating risks and appropriate levels of urgency to management and engineering staff

Experience with technical report writing and communication

Competencies – Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

Strong manual code review experience in at least one major language (Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, C#, PHP, etc.)

Solid threat-modeling expertise (STRIDE, attack trees, misuse cases) for both traditional systems and AI/LLM-integrated features

Proficiency with SAST, SCA, DAST, web and mobile pentesting, container scanners, secrets-detection tools, and ideally AI-security scanning platforms

Experience integrating security tooling and automated checks into CI/CD pipeline

Scripting/automation skills (Python, Bash, Node) for building custom tooling and automating manual processes

Good understanding of AI/LLM attack surfaces including prompt injection, insecure output handling, model-data leakage, and RAG vulnerabilities

Strong knowledge of web/API security concepts (session management, secure storage, transport security)

Excellent organizational, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills

Ability to effectively assess and communicate risks and appropriate levels of urgency to management and engineering staff

Aptitude for self-study, setting and achieving long term goals

Actively seeks to remain technically current and increase expertise and abilities

Challenges prevailing assumptions when appropriate

Willing to adapt to changing technology and business landscapes

Considers change as opportunities to be challenged and grow

Ability to adapt style of communications to match audience and information sharing needs

Wants

Experience performing secure code reviews or building internal developer tooling

Previous work with AI or LLM-integrated applications, model security, or prompt safety

Experience with mobile security, reverse engineering, or platform-specific secure coding

Certifications such as OSWE, OSCP, GWAPT, GCSA, GCPN, or ML security certs (not required but beneficial)

Ability to mentor junior developers/engineers in secure design and coding practices

Pay range for this role is $90,000-$125,000 annually, depending on experience.