Principal Cyber Security Engineer

Job Description:

Job Description Summary

This role owns domain-level solutions, core technologies, and cross-cutting features shared across multiple engineering teams, setting technical vision and ensuring consistency, extensibility, and long-term maintainability at scale. Operating with full autonomy, the position combines deep technical expertise with organization-wide influence, driving architectural decisions, engineering standards, and talent development across complex, distributed software environments.

• Own domain-level solutions and cross-cutting features; set technical vision and ensure consistency, extensibility, and long-term maintainability across implementations.
• Architect scalable, modular, secure, and performant systems; develop shareable, well-documented code libraries, frameworks, and APIs adopted across multiple teams and initiatives.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship across large or multiple engineering teams; align execution with strategic goals through collaborative planning and oversight.
• Author, review, and approve technical requirements and design documents; lead architecture and code reviews to ensure quality, consistency, and engineering excellence across domains.
• Define and lead testing strategy for shared technologies; ensure robust coverage and automation through unit, integration, and system-level testing.
• Identify and resolve complex performance bottlenecks; guide teams through debugging, refactoring, and architecture decisions using expertise in distributed systems and cross-platform environments.
• Engage with product owners, architects, and engineering leadership to shape roadmap priorities, inform technical direction, and negotiate technical processes and success metrics with internal and external stakeholders.
• Promote innovation through technology consolidation, process improvements, and system-wide enhancements; contribute to strategic initiatives and special projects as assigned.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Required Qualifications

• 12+ years of software application development experience with deep proficiency in Java, JavaScript, Spring, RESTful services, and relational databases; bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field required.
• Proven ability to architect and deliver large-scale, distributed, cloud-native systems focused on modularity, scalability, and long-term maintainability, using Java/Spring (backend), React/Redux or Angular (frontend), Docker, and AWS.
• Deep expertise in engineering best practices, including design patterns, object-oriented and functional programming paradigms, DI/AOP frameworks, and asynchronous/event-driven architectures.
• Experience leading organization-wide testing strategies; proficiency with unit, integration, and functional testing methodologies, test-driven development, and test automation frameworks.
• Strong proficiency in SQL, T-SQL, and NoSQL; expertise in schema design, data modeling, and performance tuning for relational and distributed database systems including PostgreSQL and SQL Server.
• Experience architecting SOA and SaaS systems with knowledge of ESB, messaging platforms, CI/CD pipelines, and Elastic Stack observability tooling; familiarity with authentication and authorization frameworks including OpenID and OAuth.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences; proven track record of technical leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and engineering talent development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing n-tiered, distributed systems across varied hardware and operating system platforms.
• Proficiency with Git version control, Jenkins or comparable CI/CD build environments, and automated testing frameworks.
• Experience with iterative and incremental software development processes across all phases of the software development lifecycle.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience accepted in lieu of a formal degree.

COMMENTS:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.

Vertex Values: Together We Win

We're building a team of people who are passionate about making an impact for our customers and committed to how that impact is achieved. Our values define the behaviors, mindset, and culture that make Vertex a great place to grow and do meaningful work.

Play to Win or We Don't Play - If we choose to do something, we're choosing to do it because we plan to win. That mindset raises our bar on product quality, customer outcomes, and how we show up for one another.

Work As a Team, Putting the Customer At the Core - Our customers are our true north. Whatever your role, ask: how will this help a customer succeed today? We earn trust through outcomes, not promises.

Achieve Excellence With Integrity, Speed, and Agility - The market isn't slowing down. We'll move faster, adapt quickly, and never compromise on doing things the right way - for teammates, customers, and partners.

Innovate Boldly With a Growth Mindset - Progress demands smart risk. We'll try new approaches, learn fast, and keep pushing the boundaries - especially where AI can remove friction and unlock value.

Communicate with Care, Candor and Transparency - Honest, constructive conversations make us better. Let's speak plainly about what's working and what isn't and help each other improve.

Pay Transparency Statement:

Pay Basis: Monthly

The expected base salary range for this role varies by location and is expressed in local currency. The posted range reflects the anticipated hiring range for successful candidates at the time of hire, based on relevant job-related skills, experience, geographic location, and business needs. Base pay offered to new hires may vary within the posted range depending on individual qualifications and market considerations.

The posted salary range reflects compensation at the time of hire. Employees may experience additional compensation growth over time through performance-based increases, expanded responsibilities, role progression, or internal career opportunities, in accordance with company policies and local practices.

In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for other elements of Vertex’s total compensation package, which may include participation in the Vertex Bonus Plan (VOB), a role-specific sales commission or bonus, and/or equity grants, where applicable.

Learn more about Life at Vertex and connect with your recruiter for more details regarding Vertex's compensation and benefit programs.

*In all cases, compensation will comply with applicable local pay transparency and minimum wage requirements.