Security Detection Engineer I - AppFolio : Job Details

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The Security Detection Engineer I will design, develop, and optimize detections that identify and prevent account takeover (ATO) activity across AppFolios platform. This role is responsible for building scalable detection logic and telemetry pipelines that surface suspicious patternssuch as credential stuffing, MFA abuse, session hijacking, or automation-based fraud. The engineer will work closely with Security Analysts, Risk, Fraud, and Engineering teams to operationalize threat intelligence, improve alert fidelity, and reduce attacker dwell time while ensuring detections evolve with emerging ATO tactics.

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Location: Chicago, IL see location notes on our site.

• Design, implement, and maintain detection logic to identify account takeover (ATO) attempts across AppFolio platforms.
• Develop and tune behavioral analytics and rule-based detections in SIEM and security data platforms to improve signal fidelity.
• Leverage threat intelligence, internal telemetry, and adversary TTPs to proactively build detection coverage for evolving ATO techniques.
• Collaborate with security analysts, fraud investigators, and engineering teams to validate alerts, reduce false positives, and ensure timely detection.
• Perform detection gap assessments and participate in purple team or simulation exercises to evaluate coverage for ATO scenarios.
• Automate detection engineering workflows using scripting and data pipelines for scale and efficiency.
• Contribute to threat modeling efforts and define detection use cases aligned with MITRE ATT&CK and real-world ATO patterns.
• Document detection logic, assumptions, tuning rationale, and testing methodology in standardized playbooks and engineering wikis.

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• 35 years of experience in detection engineering, security operations, or threat detection.
• Proficient with SIEM technologies (e.g., Splunk, Elastic), query languages (SPL, SQL, Kusto), and detection-as-code practices.
• Strong understanding of ATO threat landscape including credential stuffing, MFA abuse, session hijacking, and token replay attacks.
• Experience creating and tuning detection logic to identify anomalies across authentication, identity, and web traffic telemetry.
• Familiarity with MITRE ATT&CK, OWASP, and identity-based threat modeling frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with cloud-based environments (AWS preferred) and monitoring their security logs and event sources.
• Knowledge of version control (e.g., Git), CI/CD pipelines, and detection-as-code workflows (e.g., using Terraform, Python, Jupyter, or YAML).
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills with the ability to convey detection rationale to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

• Experience with identity security tools and telemetry: Okta, Duo, etc.
• Familiarity with session-based ATO detection techniques, including cookie theft, browser fingerprinting, or geolocation analysis.
• Certifications such as GCDA, GCIH, AWS Security Specialty, or OSWE.
• Prior exposure to fraud prevention, customer account protection, or abuse detection platforms.
• Experience in adversary emulation or purple teaming to test and validate detections.

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The compensation that we reasonably expect to pay for this role is: $104,000-$130,000 base pay. The actual compensation for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidates skills, education, experience, and internal equity.

Please note that compensation is just one aspect of a comprehensive Total Rewards package. The compensation range listed here does not include additional benefits or any discretionary bonuses you may be eligible for based on your role and/or employment type. Regular full-time employees are eligible for benefits see here.

AppFolio is the technology leader powering the future of the real estate industry. Our innovative platform and trusted partnership enable our customers to connect communities, increase operational efficiency, and grow their business. For more information about AppFolio, visit appfolio.com.

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Statement of Equal Opportunity At AppFolio, we value diversity in backgrounds and perspectives and depend on it to drive our innovative culture. Thats why were a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. This means that no matter race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, age, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or veteran status, youre welcome at AppFolio.