Staff Backend Software Engineer

Who you are

• The ideal candidate will leverage their deep expertise in distributed systems, particularly Java, to architect, build, and scale the critical server-side software and services at the heart of our security and identity platform
• This role requires an engineer who believes in designing for massive scale, rigorous code reviews, automated testing, and an iterative process to build high-quality enterprise software
• 7+ years of progressive software development experience, with a proven track record of designing and building scalable, high-performance server-side features using Java and Spring
• Deep expertise with high-performance Postgres or MySQL environments, including schema design and query optimization
• Extensive experience designing, building, and securing RESTful APIs for large-scale systems
• Expert knowledge of server-side technologies, including caching, asynchronous processing, and multi-threading
• A deep understanding of design patterns, scalability patterns, security engineering, and object-oriented principles
• Experience in fast-paced agile environments, with a strong understanding of CI/CD and automated testing
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences and influence technical direction
• Security Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of endpoint security concepts (e.g., Trusted Platform Modules (TPM), Secure Enclave, Device Management/MDM protocols, and endpoint detection)
• Cross-Platform Context: Strong conceptual understanding of how OS-level security features (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS) report state to the cloud
• Proficiency in leveraging AI coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot) to accelerate the development lifecycle
• Experience building anomaly detection systems or risk systems is a huge plus
• Experience in cloud security, identity, and/or authentication protocols
• Understanding of Identity and Access Management protocols and technologies (FIDO, U2F, WebAuthn, SSO, SAML, OAuth, Federation, etc.)
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, secure coding practices, and certifications like CISSP or Security+
• Experience with UI technologies such as ReactJS
• Exposure to gRPC API development
• Exposure to microservice architecture
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience

What the job involves

• We are seeking a highly impactful and influential Staff Software Engineer to join our engineering team
• This is a high-visibility, hands-on opportunity to define the architectural vision, pioneer new capabilities, and drive the technical strategy to solve complex, company-wide challenges and shape the future of Okta's device identity ecosystem
• You will act as a key technical leader—a player-coach and force multiplier—by setting the technical standard, mentoring and coaching engineers, and partnering with engineering leadership and product management to translate strategic business objectives into actionable, scalable technical roadmaps
• Partner closely with Product Management, Engineering Directors, and Principal Architects to translate strategic business objectives into actionable, scalable technical roadmaps
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Product, Design, and QA to ensure the seamless delivery of our most critical engineering initiatives
• Lead the design and implementation of new features and services within our core Java platform, taking ownership from conception to deployment
• Define and champion engineering best practices, and make critical contributions to technical designs, proposals, and long-term architectural decisions
• Act as a force multiplier across multiple teams, mentoring Staff and Senior engineers, guiding technical design reviews, and raising the engineering bar across the entire pillar
• Develop high-quality, maintainable software with comprehensive test coverage and drive improvements to our testing and CI/CD strategies
• Create and maintain high-quality technical documentation and foster a culture of knowledge sharing within the team and the broader organization
• Champion the adoption of AI-native engineering practices within our Product Development Lifecycle (PDLC), utilizing AI coding assistants to accelerate delivery while ensuring rigorous security and code quality standards
• Spearhead technical innovation, identifying emerging industry trends (such as advanced device security or AI-native development paradigms) and prototyping solutions to keep Okta ahead of the curve

Benefits

• Work from home opportunities
• Health + Wellness
• Financial Benefits
• Pay + Incentives
• Time Off
• Everyday Living
• Resources