Principal Security Engineer – EmpowerUp26
Are you an experienced Principal Security Engineer looking to return to the Tech industry after a career break?
Westpac understands that re-entering the workforce can be challenging, especially in the fast-paced world of technology.
That’s why we’re offering the Empower Up Tech Returnship program to help you get your career back on track. Whether you’ve taken time off for parenting, travel, caregiving, or personal health, our program is designed to support your transition back into the tech field.
What We Offer:
24-week structured program: Gain hands-on experience in your tech role with dedicated support.
Collaborative learning environment: Work alongside a cohort of peers with similar life experiences, enhancing your support network and boosting your confidence.
Tailored training for leaders: Our people leaders are trained to understand your needs, especially when it comes to flexibility and work-life balance.
Join us at Westpac and take the next step in your tech career with the Empower Up Tech Returnship. Let’s EmPOWERUP together!
What’s the Role:
The Principal Security Engineer is a senior technical authority, accountable for the development, delivery and operation of enterprise‑scale application security capabilities across the Westpac Group. This role owns and maintains strategic application security platforms and services and provides expert leadership across application security controls and capability. The role ensures application security solutions remain compliant, effective, resilient and available to the developer community, while enabling secure software delivery at scale across a complex and regulated technology environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the principal hands‑on technical authority for application security across enterprise development platforms
- Design, build, and operate application security capabilities including SAST, SCA, secrets management, container and supply‑chain security
- Own the day‑to‑day operation and resilience of application security platforms and services
- Drive continuous improvement of security tooling to ensure it scales and remains fit‑for‑purpose
- Embed security controls into developer workflows through automation, tooling, and CI/CD integration
- Define and deliver reusable security patterns, guardrails, and reference implementations
- Lead automation‑led vulnerability identification, remediation, and prevention across the SDLC
- Partner with engineering and platform teams to reduce friction and enable secure-by-default development
- Translate real‑world threats into practical guidance, education, and developer enablement
- Act as a subject‑matter expert, providing technical direction and supporting strategic security outcomes
What do I need?
- Experience in application security, including secure software development practices and vulnerability management
- Background in security solution engineering and solution design within complex environments
- Strong software development experience, with the ability to work closely with engineering teams
- Exposure to or interest in AI and agentic development capabilities
- Demonstrated service ownership, including accountability for outcomes and continuous improvement
- Ability to act as a subject matter expert, providing technical guidance and direction
- Strong technical communication skills, able to translate complex concepts for varied audiences
- Experience supporting developer education and enablement through guidance, standards, or tooling
Why join us?
We’re obsessed with becoming our customers’ #1 banking partner for life and we’re looking for people who are passionate about helping us achieve that goal. In return, we’re committed to making Westpac the best place to work in the country. Here are just a few of the ways we’re already doing that:
- Special offers on banking products and discounts from top brands, including generous employee only mortgage rates!
- Flexible work arrangements to help you achieve a greater work/life balance, and a variety of leave options including Culture, Lifestyle and Wellbeing leave.
- Tailored learning and development opportunities to help your grow your career within the bank.
- Lots of opportunities to ‘give back’ to the Community by getting involved in our many volunteering initiatives.
Create your future today
To get started, simply click on the APPLY or APPLY NOW button
We’re all about creating a supportive and inclusive community. We welcome everyone no matter your age, gender, background, or abilities. We also provide additional support to welcome our veterans, Indigenous Australians and neurodiverse community.
If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, you can find out more information and additional contact details by visiting the “People with Disability and/or needing Accessibility Requirements” page on our website.
#EmpowerUp26
Westpac

