DevSecOps Engineer
Embed security into every stage of the software delivery lifecycle
Job titles
DevSecOps Engineer, Security DevOps Engineer +
UK salary range
£60,000–£95,000
US salary range
$100,000–$150,000
Time to first role
2–4 years
About this role
A DevSecOps Engineer integrates security practices into DevOps pipelines, ensuring that cloud infrastructure, CI/CD processes, and applications are secure by design. This role is in very high demand as organisations shift left on security, requiring professionals who can automate security testing, manage secrets with tools like HashiCorp Vault, enforce compliance in Terraform deployments, and harden Kubernetes clusters. DevSecOps Engineers bridge the gap between development, operations, and security teams, making them critical for modern software delivery. With average salaries of £60,000–£95,000 in the UK and $100,000–$150,000 in the US, this career path offers strong growth prospects for those with a blend of cloud, automation, and security skills.
Key skills employers look for
Certification roadmap
Foundation
Build core IT and security fundamentals
SY0-701CompTIA Security+
Establishes baseline security knowledge (threats, cryptography, identity) essential for understanding DevSecOps risk context.
CLF-C02AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Provides foundational cloud concepts and AWS services, necessary before diving into security automation on AWS.
Core Skills
Master automation, containers, and infrastructure as code
003HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
Terraform is the primary IaC tool for provisioning secure cloud infrastructure; this cert validates your ability to write and manage infrastructure as code with security best practices.
CKACertified Kubernetes Administrator
Kubernetes is central to modern deployments; CKA proves you can administer clusters securely, which is critical for DevSecOps roles.
002HashiCorp Certified: Vault Associate
Vault is the industry standard for secrets management; this cert demonstrates you can securely store, rotate, and audit secrets in CI/CD pipelines.
Specialisation
Deepen cloud security and container security expertise
SCS-C02AWS Certified Security – Specialty
Focuses on AWS-specific security services (KMS, WAF, Shield, GuardDuty) and incident response, directly applicable to securing cloud-native DevSecOps pipelines.
CKSCertified Kubernetes Security Specialist
The only advanced Kubernetes security cert; covers cluster hardening, runtime security, and supply chain security — essential for DevSecOps engineers managing containerised workloads.
AZ-500Microsoft Azure Security Technologies
Validates Azure-specific security skills (Azure AD, Defender, Sentinel) for DevSecOps roles in Azure-centric environments.
Advanced & Leadership
Achieve mastery and strategic security governance
CISSPISC2 CISSP
Globally recognised security management cert; demonstrates ability to design and manage security programs, aligning DevSecOps with organisational risk strategy.
DOP-C02AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
Covers advanced CI/CD, monitoring, and automation on AWS; pairs security knowledge with DevOps proficiency for senior DevSecOps roles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the typical salary for a DevSecOps Engineer in the UK and US?
In the UK, DevSecOps Engineers earn between £60,000 and £95,000 depending on experience and location. In the US, salaries range from $100,000 to $150,000, with senior roles exceeding $180,000.
How long does it take to become a DevSecOps Engineer?
Most professionals transition into DevSecOps after 2–4 years in DevOps, cloud engineering, or security roles. Starting from zero IT experience, expect 4–6 years to build the necessary breadth of skills.
Which certifications are most important for a DevSecOps career?
The Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS), AWS Security Specialty, and HashiCorp Vault Associate are highly valued. CompTIA Security+ is a good starting point for security fundamentals.
Is DevSecOps just a buzzword, or is it a real career path?
It is a real and rapidly growing career path. Organisations are embedding security into DevOps teams rather than keeping it separate, creating dedicated DevSecOps roles with strong demand and competitive salaries.
Do I need to be a developer to become a DevSecOps Engineer?
While deep coding skills are not always required, you need strong scripting abilities (Python, Bash) and a solid understanding of CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, and cloud platforms.