What is a Software Engineer at Securitas?

As a Software Engineer at Securitas, you are at the forefront of transforming the global security industry through digital innovation. We are shifting from traditional guarding to Intelligent Security, which relies heavily on sophisticated software solutions, real-time data processing, and integrated technology stacks. Your work directly impacts the safety of thousands of clients and the efficiency of our security professionals on the ground.

You will contribute to a diverse ecosystem of products, ranging from GPS-based vehicle tracking systems and mobile applications for field personnel to complex backend systems that aggregate security data from IoT sensors. The engineering team is tasked with building high-availability, scalable systems that can handle mission-critical security alerts without failure. At Securitas, your code isn't just about functionality; it is about providing peace of mind and protecting lives and assets globally.

The role is ideal for engineers who enjoy solving complex, real-world problems where software meets physical security. Whether you are optimizing a GPS detection algorithm or designing a robust cloud architecture, your contributions will drive our strategic goal of becoming a lead integrator of technology and human expertise.

Common Interview Questions

Expect a mix of technical challenges and behavioral inquiries. Our questions are designed to see how you think and how you would behave as a member of our engineering community.

Technical & Problem Solving

• Describe how you would implement a real-time notification system for a mobile security app.
• How do you ensure your code is secure against common vulnerabilities like SQL injection?
• Explain the logic behind a GPS tracking algorithm that minimizes battery drain on a mobile device.
• What are the trade-offs between using a relational database versus a NoSQL database for storing security logs?

Behavioral & Cultural Fit

• Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult stakeholder to deliver a technical project.
• Why are you interested in the security industry specifically?
• How do you handle a situation where a production system goes down outside of standard working hours?
• Describe a project where you had to learn a new technology very quickly.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparing for an interview at Securitas requires a balanced approach. While technical proficiency is essential, our interviewers place significant weight on your ability to apply technology to practical, real-world security challenges. You should approach your preparation by focusing on how your past experiences align with our mission of safety and reliability.

Technical Domain Knowledge – You will be evaluated on your core engineering skills, including coding proficiency, system architecture, and platform-specific knowledge. Interviewers look for clean, maintainable code and a deep understanding of the tools you use daily.

Problem-Solving Aptitude – At Securitas, we value engineers who can break down ambiguous security requirements into actionable technical tasks. You should be prepared to walk through your thought process and explain the "why" behind your technical decisions.

Cultural Alignment & Communication – Because our teams are global and highly collaborative, your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly is vital. We look for candidates who are reliable, professional, and demonstrate a strong sense of ownership over their work.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Securitas is designed to be thorough yet respectful of your time. We aim for a transparent experience where you get to know our team as much as we get to know you. The atmosphere is generally professional and structured, though many candidates describe the interactions as casual and easy to navigate. We prioritize finding a "fit" where your career goals align with our digital transformation journey.

The journey typically begins with an initial screening to align on expectations, followed by deeper technical evaluations. Depending on the seniority of the Software Engineer role, you may face a combination of coding assessments, system design discussions, and behavioral interviews. Our goal is to evaluate not just your current skills, but your potential to grow within our global engineering organization.

This timeline illustrates the standard progression from your first contact to a final decision. Candidates should use this to pace their preparation, ensuring they are ready for technical deep dives in the middle stages while staying focused on high-level communication for the final rounds.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

System Design and Architecture

For most engineering roles, especially those involving our GPS and tracking applications, understanding how systems interact at scale is crucial. We evaluate your ability to design systems that are both resilient and performant under varying loads.

Be ready to go over:

• Scalability – How to handle thousands of concurrent data points from security sensors or vehicles.
• Data Consistency – Ensuring that critical security alerts are delivered accurately and in the correct order.
• Integration – How to connect legacy security hardware with modern cloud-based software suites.

Advanced concepts (less common):

• Geo-fencing algorithms and optimization.
• Low-latency data streaming for real-time monitoring.
• Integration with third-party emergency response APIs.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Design a system that tracks a fleet of security vehicles in real-time and alerts dispatch if a vehicle leaves a designated zone."
• "How would you handle a sudden spike in data from thousands of IoT alarms during a regional emergency?"

Technical Implementation & Coding

We look for engineers who write code that is not only functional but also readable and easy to test. You will likely be asked to solve problems that reflect the type of logic used in our security platforms.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Structures – Efficiently managing lists of events, logs, and user permissions.
• Concurrency – Handling multiple tasks simultaneously, which is common in monitoring software.
• API Design – Creating clean interfaces for our mobile and web applications to consume.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Implement a function to filter and prioritize security alerts based on severity and timestamp."
• "Walk us through a complex bug you found in a production environment and how you resolved it."

Key Responsibilities

As a Software Engineer at Securitas, your primary responsibility is the development and maintenance of software that powers our global security operations. This involves writing high-quality code, participating in peer code reviews, and contributing to the architectural evolution of our platforms. You will often work on projects like GPS detection applications, guard management tools, and client-facing security dashboards.

Collaboration is a core part of the day-to-day experience. You will work closely with Product Managers to define requirements, DevOps to ensure smooth deployments, and sometimes even Operations teams to understand how guards interact with your software in the field. This role requires a high degree of empathy for the end-user, as the tools you build are often used in high-stress security situations.

Depending on your specific team, you may also be involved in the integration of hardware and software. This could include working with camera systems, biometric scanners, or GPS trackers. You are expected to take ownership of your features from conception through to production monitoring, ensuring that our security services remain uninterrupted.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

A successful candidate for the Software Engineer position at Securitas combines technical mastery with a professional, solution-oriented mindset. We look for individuals who are comfortable working in an environment that values both stability and innovation.

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in modern programming languages (such as Java, C#, or Python) and experience with cloud platforms like Azure or AWS. Familiarity with SQL and NoSQL databases is essential for managing security data.
• Experience Level: Typically, we look for candidates with a solid foundation in software development, with specific experience in distributed systems or mobile application development being a significant advantage.
• Soft Skills: Strong communication skills are a must-have, as you will need to explain technical constraints to non-technical stakeholders. You should be comfortable with a "laid back but professional" culture where clarity and follow-through are valued.

Must-have skills:

• Strong understanding of software development life cycle (SDLC).
• Experience with version control systems (Git).
• Ability to write unit and integration tests.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience with GPS or mapping APIs (e.g., Google Maps API, Mapbox).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices.
• Previous experience in the security or logistics industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How technical is the interview process for Software Engineers? The process is moderately technical. While we do test your coding and design skills, we are equally interested in your ability to apply those skills to Securitas' specific business needs, such as tracking and monitoring.

Q: Is there a specific focus on certain programming languages? While we use a variety of tools, having a strong command of enterprise-level languages like Java or .NET is often beneficial. However, we value general problem-solving ability over specific syntax knowledge.

Q: What is the work culture like for the engineering team? The culture is often described as casual and laid back but very focused on results. Because we deal with security, there is a high level of individual responsibility and a "get it done right" mentality.

Q: Does this role require travel? Some roles, particularly those in the United States or global positions, may involve occasional travel to client sites or other Securitas offices to better understand the operational side of our security services.

Other General Tips

• Understand the Business: Before your interview, research Securitas' shift toward "Electronic Security." Being able to talk about how software replaces or enhances traditional guarding will impress your interviewers.
• Focus on Reliability: In the security world, "it works most of the time" is not enough. Emphasize your commitment to testing, error handling, and system uptime.
• Be Clear on Your Background: Be ready to talk through your resume in detail. Interviewers often ask about specific projects, your role in them, and the impact they had.
• Ask About the Project: Our interviewers enjoy talking about the specific security challenges they are solving. Asking insightful questions about the GPS tracking or IoT integration projects shows genuine interest.

Summary & Next Steps

The Software Engineer role at Securitas is a unique opportunity to apply modern engineering practices to an industry that is undergoing a massive digital transformation. By joining our team, you will be building the systems that keep people and property safe around the globe. The interview process is your chance to demonstrate not only your technical expertise but also your alignment with our values of Integrity, Vigilance, and Helpfulness.

To succeed, focus your preparation on core engineering principles, system design for real-time applications, and clear communication of your past successes. We value candidates who are proactive, reliable, and excited about the intersection of technology and physical security. You can find more detailed insights and community-shared experiences for various roles on Dataford to further refine your preparation.

The salary data provided reflects the competitive nature of our compensation packages. When reviewing these figures, consider the total rewards, including the opportunity to work on global-scale projects and the stability of a world-leading security firm. Your specific offer will depend on your experience level, technical proficiency, and the location of the role.