Application Security & DevSecOps

This area tests your ability to integrate security seamlessly into the software development lifecycle (SDLC) without disrupting developer velocity.

Be ready to go over:

• CI/CD Security Integration – Implementing static application security testing (SAST), dynamic testing (DAST), and software composition analysis (SCA) into automated pipelines.
• OWASP Top 10 – Deep understanding of common web application vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection, SSRF, XSS) and how to prevent them at the code level.
• Secrets Management – Securely injecting secrets into runtime environments without hardcoding them in source control.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Implementing runtime application self-protection (RASP) and securing container images from base layer to runtime.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How would you design a pull-request gate that automatically blocks code changes containing high-severity vulnerabilities without frustrating developers?"
• "A developer accidentally commits an active AWS API key to a public GitHub repository. What automated steps should occur immediately to secure the environment?"

As a Security Engineer at Red Ventures, your day-to-day responsibilities will revolve around proactive risk reduction, automation, and cross-team enablement. You will be tasked with securing a highly dynamic environment where speed-to-market is a critical business driver.

A primary responsibility is the design and implementation of automated security guardrails. Rather than manually reviewing every code deployment or infrastructure change, you will build automated systems that continuously monitor cloud environments for misconfigurations, compliance drift, and active threats. This involves writing custom security tooling, developing infrastructure-as-code templates, and building automated remediation workflows that correct security issues instantly.

Collaboration is also a major pillar of the role. You will partner directly with software engineers, product managers, and site reliability engineers (SREs) to conduct architectural reviews and threat modeling sessions early in the product design phase. By serving as a consultative security expert, you will help engineering teams understand the security implications of their design choices and guide them toward secure-by-default patterns.

Additionally, you will participate in the company's incident response and vulnerability management programs. This includes monitoring security alerts, investigating potential security incidents, and coordinating with business units to ensure critical vulnerabilities are patched rapidly. You will analyze threat intelligence data to anticipate emerging attack vectors and continuously mature the organization's overall defensive posture.

To be competitive for the Security Engineer position at Red Ventures, you must possess a strong blend of deep technical expertise, architectural vision, and strong interpersonal skills.

Technical Skills & Tools

• Cloud Infrastructure – Proven hands-on experience securing AWS environments (highly preferred) or other major public cloud providers (Azure, GCP).
• Infrastructure as Code – Proficiency with Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar tools, including writing secure, reusable modules.
• Security Tooling – Experience implementing and managing SAST/DAST tools, vulnerability scanners, and cloud security posture management (CSPM) platforms.
• Scripting & Automation – Ability to write clean, maintainable automation scripts in Python, Go, Bash, or similar languages to build security tools.
• Container Security – Experience securing Docker containers and orchestrators such as Kubernetes or AWS ECS.

Experience & Soft Skills

• Professional Experience – Typically 3+ years of experience in dedicated security engineering, cloud security, or DevSecOps roles within a fast-paced, cloud-native environment.
• Communication – Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex security risks to non-technical business stakeholders.
• Influence without Authority – Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with software engineering teams to drive security initiatives.
• Problem-Solving – A highly analytical mindset with a passion for deconstructing complex systems and finding creative, scalable security solutions.

Must-Have vs. Nice-to-Have

• Must-Have – Strong foundational knowledge of network security, web application security (OWASP Top 10), and hands-on AWS security experience.
• Nice-to-Have – Industry-recognized certifications such as AWS Certified Security - Specialty, CISSP, or CCSP; experience with compliance frameworks (PCI-DSS, SOC 2, HIPAA).

Q: How difficult is the Security Engineer interview process at Red Ventures? The difficulty is generally rated as average to challenging. The technical questions are highly practical and scenario-based rather than academic, meaning candidates with strong real-world cloud security and engineering experience will find the process highly engaging and fair.

Q: What is the typical timeline from the initial recruiter screen to a final offer? The entire process usually takes between 3 to 5 weeks. Red Ventures is known for moving quickly when there is a strong match, though coordination for the virtual onsite loop can sometimes introduce slight delays depending on interviewer availability.

Q: How much coding is required for this role? While you will not face deep algorithmic coding challenges (like LeetCode hard questions), you must be comfortable reading code and writing scripts for automation. You should be prepared to discuss how to write scripts (e.g., in Python or Go) to interact with cloud APIs and automate security tasks.

Q: Does Red Ventures support remote work for Security Engineers? Red Ventures offers a mix of hybrid and remote opportunities depending on the specific team, role level, and geographic location. Be sure to clarify the exact location and hybrid expectations with your recruiter during your initial phone screen.

Q: What separates successful candidates from those who do not get an offer? Successful candidates demonstrate a strong partnership mindset. Those who focus solely on rigid, theoretical security rules often struggle, whereas candidates who show they can balance robust security engineering with business velocity, cost efficiency, and developer experience stand out.

To maximize your chances of success during the Security Engineer interview loop at Red Ventures, keep these practical, insider tips in mind:

• Understand the Business Model: Red Ventures is a collection of diverse digital brands. Show that you understand how security impacts customer trust, financial transactions, and brand reputation across different industries like finance and healthcare.
• Use the STAR Method: When answering behavioral questions, structure your responses using the Situation, Task, Action, and Result framework. Focus heavily on the Action you took and the quantifiable Result of your security initiative.
• Be Cloud-Native in Your Thinking: Avoid suggesting traditional, on-premises security solutions. Your answers should reflect modern, cloud-native architecture patterns, utilizing managed services, automation, and serverless technologies where appropriate.
• Explain Your Trade-Offs: When designing a security solution during a case study, explicitly state the trade-offs you are making regarding cost, performance, developer friction, and operational complexity. This shows mature, well-rounded engineering judgment.

Securing a role as a Security Engineer at Red Ventures is an exciting opportunity to work at a massive scale, protecting a diverse portfolio of leading digital brands. The role offers the chance to tackle complex, cloud-native security challenges, build automated tooling, and directly influence the security posture of platforms used by millions of consumers daily.

To prepare effectively, focus your energy on mastering AWS security patterns, practicing structured threat modeling, and refining your behavioral stories to highlight cross-functional collaboration. Approach every interview question with a builder's mindset, demonstrating that you view security as an enabler of business growth and developer velocity.

To gain deeper insights, review actual compensation structures, and access additional preparation materials, explore the resources available on Dataford. With focused preparation and a collaborative approach to problem-solving, you will be well-positioned to ace your interviews and join the high-impact security team at Red Ventures.

The salary data module above reflects the competitive compensation packages offered to security professionals at Red Ventures. When evaluating your target compensation, consider the complete package, which typically includes a strong base salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits. Use this data to benchmark your expectations and confidently navigate your financial conversations during the final stages of the hiring process.