Senior Software Engineering Manager: Security

Overview

We're seeking a Senior Software Engineering Manager: Security to embed security engineering practices across the enterprise’s platforms, applications, and integrations. This role ensures security is built into every layer of software development — from architecture and design to deployment and operations. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in cybersecurity with leadership, governance, and engineering delivery experience, driving a security-first culture across all engineering teams.

At TeKnowledge, your work makes an impact from day one. We partner with organizations to deliver AI-First Expert Technology Services that drive meaningful impact in AI, Customer Experience, and Cybersecurity. We turn complexity into clarity and potential into progress—in a place where people lead and tech empowers.

You’ll be part of a diverse and inclusive team where trust, teamwork, and shared success fuel everything we do. We push boundaries, using advanced technologies to solve complex challenges for clients around the world.

Here, your work drives real change, and your ideas help shape the future of technology. We invest in you with top-tier training, mentorship, and career development—ensuring you stay ahead in an ever-evolving world.

Why You’ll Enjoy It Here:

• Be Part of Something Big – A growing company where your contributions matter.
• Make an Immediate Impact – Support groundbreaking technologies with real-world results.
• Work on Cutting-Edge Tech – AI, cybersecurity, and next-gen digital solutions.
• Thrive in an Inclusive Team – A culture built on trust, collaboration, and respect.
• We Care – Integrity, empathy, and purpose guide every decision.

We’re looking for innovators, problem-solvers, and experts ready to drive change and grow with us.

We Are TeKnowledge. Where People Lead and Tech Empowers.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the software security engineering strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise security and technology roadmaps.
• Act as the security champion within engineering, embedding DevSecOps practices across backend, mobile, digital channels, and integrations.
• Partner with the CISO, enterprise security, and architecture teams to set secure-by-design principles and frameworks.
• Oversee the integration of application security testing (SAST, DAST, IAST, SCA) into CI/CD pipelines.
• Ensure API, backend, mobile, and digital channel platforms are secured against evolving threats.
• Lead initiatives for zero trust architecture, encryption, identity & access management, and secure APIs.
• Govern secure coding standards, threat modeling, and vulnerability management.
• Ensure software engineering practices comply with regulatory frameworks (e.g., PCI DSS, POPIA, GDPR, SOC 2, ISO 27001).
• Oversee risk assessments, penetration testing, and incident response readiness.
• Align software engineering controls with enterprise GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance) frameworks.
• Implement secure observability and monitoring for proactive threat detection in engineering systems.
• Lead and mentor security engineers, DevSecOps specialists, and secure coding champions.
• Build organizational capability in security engineering skills, tools, and practices.
• Foster a culture of security-first thinking across all engineering teams.
• Drive training and awareness programs to ensure engineering talent remains up to date with emerging threats and tools.
• Partner with enterprise engineering managers (backend, mobile, digital, integrations) to embed security consistently.
• Collaborate with business, product, and compliance stakeholders to balance customer experience with security requirements.
• Manage relationships with security vendors, penetration testers, and regulatory auditors.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related field (mandatory).
• Postgraduate qualification (MSc in Cybersecurity/IT, MBA) – advantageous.

Experience:

• 10–12 years’ experience in software/security engineering, with at least 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Proven experience embedding application security across large engineering teams.
• Strong track record in DevSecOps, secure CI/CD, and automation of security controls.
• Experience securing cloud-native, microservices, APIs, and mobile applications at enterprise scale.
• Hands-on expertise in threat modeling, penetration testing, vulnerability remediation, and secure architecture design.
• Background in regulated industries (banking, fintech, telecom, or healthcare) preferred.

Preferred Certifications:

• Security: CISSP, CISM, or CISA.
• Application Security: CSSLP (Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional).
• Cloud Security: AWS/Azure/GCP Security Specialty.
• DevSecOps: GIAC, Kubernetes Security Specialist, or equivalent.
• ITIL or governance frameworks – advantageous.

Core Skills & Competencies:

• Deep expertise in application and cloud security engineering.
• Strong knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and compliance standards.
• Excellent leadership and coaching skills for building specialized security engineering teams.
• Ability to balance innovation, speed, and compliance in software delivery.
• Strong stakeholder management across executives, regulators, and technical teams.