DevSecOps Engineer
BoomingIntegrating security controls directly into software delivery pipelines and CI/CD workflows
DevSecOps Engineer Salary
United Kingdom
£65,000 – £100,000
United States
$115,000 – $170,000
Varies by location, sector, and experience. Last updated: 2025.
What Is a DevSecOps Engineer?
A DevSecOps Engineer integrates security practices directly into the software development and delivery lifecycle. Rather than security being a separate gate at the end of a project, DevSecOps shifts it left — automating security checks within CI/CD pipelines, scanning code and dependencies for vulnerabilities, and ensuring that what ships to production is secure by default. The role is most prevalent in technology-forward organisations where deployment frequency is high: financial services, cloud-native SaaS businesses, defence contractors, and regulated sectors where security compliance cannot be deferred.
The role requires a blend of skills that few engineers hold simultaneously: software development knowledge, DevOps tooling expertise, and a solid grounding in application and infrastructure security. In practice this means working with tools such as Snyk or Checkmarx for static analysis, Trivy or Aqua for container scanning, and integrating these into GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or GitLab CI pipelines. DevSecOps Engineers act as the bridge between fast-moving delivery and the security controls organisations need. It is a mid-to-senior level role and is not typically an entry point into either DevOps or security.
What Does a DevSecOps Engineer Do?
- Integrate SAST, DAST, and SCA security scanning tools into CI/CD pipelines to catch vulnerabilities before deployment
- Conduct threat modelling for new features and infrastructure changes to identify security risks before development begins
- Manage secrets management tooling and enforce secure credential handling across pipelines to eliminate hardcoded credential risk
- Assess and remediate vulnerabilities identified in application dependencies and container images against defined severity thresholds
- Define and enforce secure coding standards and developer security guidelines across engineering teams and code review processes
- Conduct security reviews of infrastructure-as-code and cloud configurations to identify policy violations before provisioning
DevSecOps Engineer Skills
Hard Skills
- CI/CD Pipeline Design
- Secure Coding
- Vulnerability Management
- Infrastructure as Code
- Container Orchestration
- Security Architecture
- Scripting
- Cloud Architecture
- Runtime Security
- Version Control
Soft Skills
- Engineering DisciplineBuilding reliable security tooling into pipelines
- CollaborationBridging development, platform, and security teams
- Influence Without AuthorityDriving security adoption in delivery teams
- Analytical ThinkingEvaluating vulnerability findings across the SDLC
- Automation MindsetShifting security checks left into CI/CD
- CommunicationTranslating security controls for engineering audiences
DevSecOps Engineer Tools & Software
How to Become a DevSecOps Engineer
Typical Route
A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Cybersecurity is the standard academic background. Programs combining rigorous software engineering curricula with security coursework — at Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Tech, and the University of Maryland — develop the dual-domain foundation the role requires. An MS in Software Engineering or Cybersecurity supports progression. DevSecOps is a mid-to-senior specialism; most practitioners come from DevOps, application security, or software development, and a degree does not substitute for production pipeline experience.
Alternative Route
Certified DevSecOps Professional (CDP) from Practical DevSecOps is the most directly relevant credential; AWS Certified Security Specialty and CompTIA Security+ are widely expected as supporting qualifications. SANS Institute courses covering application and pipeline security offer structured training routes. Linux Foundation training provides relevant CI/CD and container security foundations. Practical experience securing CI/CD pipelines — through projects or open-source contributions — carries significant weight alongside formal credentials at this level.
A Day in the Life of a DevSecOps Engineer
Morning
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DevSecOps Engineer Career Path
DevOps / AppSec Engineer
0–4 yrs
DevSecOps Engineer
4–6 yrs
Senior DevSecOps Engineer
6–8 yrs
Security Architect
8–12 yrs
CISO / Head of Security
12+ yrs
DevSecOps Engineer Job Outlook
DevSecOps sits at the intersection of two of the fastest-growing disciplines in technology, and demand is accelerating across financial services, technology, and regulated industries where software delivery speed and security compliance must coexist. The combination of Agile delivery expertise and security engineering capability remains rare in the talent market, driving salaries significantly above equivalent DevOps or security analyst roles. Regulatory pressure around software supply chain security and secure-by-default development is broadening the hiring base beyond large enterprises into mid-market organisations.