Staff Software Engineer
About this role
Secure Every Identity, from AI to Human
Identity is the key to unlocking the potential of AI. Okta secures AI by building the trusted, neutral infrastructure that enables organizations to safely embrace this new era. This work requires a relentless drive to solve complex challenges with real-world stakes. We are looking for builders and owners who operate with speed and urgency and execute with excellence.
This is an opportunity to do career-defining work. We're all in on this mission. If you are too, let's talk.
The Identity Security Posture Management (ISPM) Team
At ISPM (formerly Spera Security), we are revolutionizing identity security for modern organizations. Our platform provides security leaders with end-to-end contextual visibility into their identity landscape—reducing risk, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring continuous compliance.
We’re a fast-moving, high-impact team looking for an exceptional Staff Software Engineer to help shape the future of identity security and platform architecture.
Hybrid work - 3 days a week from the office.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Staff Software Engineer, you will serve as a technical authority and play a pivotal role in scaling our core platform. Your focus will span architecture, security research, and engineering excellence:
- Lead & Architect: Design, build, and scale high-performance software while driving architectural best practices across the R&D organization.
- Security & AI Innovation: Drive deep-dive research into cloud, SaaS ecosystems, and AI agents to build proactive detection models, mitigation strategies, and threat intelligence.
- Engineering Excellence: Elevate code quality, testing standards, system monitoring, and documentation across teams.
- Cross-Functional Ownership: Partner closely with Product and R&D to translate complex security requirements into scalable technical solutions.
- Scale & Optimize: Identify and resolve systemic performance bottlenecks and architectural challenges.
- Mentorship & Leadership: Act as a technical mentor, driving engineering standards and fostering a strong knowledge-sharing culture.
What You’ll Bring to the Role
- 7+ years of software engineering experience, ideally in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
- Cybersecurity Domain Expertise: Hands-on experience in security product development, security research, or threat/incident response.
- 4+ years of hands-on experience with Python, focusing on backend architecture and scalable systems.
- Proven System Ownership: A track record of designing, building, and operating large-scale, complex distributed systems.
- Strong CS Fundamentals: Deep understanding of software design patterns, system architecture, and technical leadership.
- Communication & Influence: Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly across teams.
Extra Credit
- Experience with Snowflake or other modern data warehousing platforms.
- Hands-on experience with AWS and modern cloud-native architectures.
#LI-Hybrid
#P21523_3485696
The Okta Experience
- Supporting Your Well-Being
- Driving Social Impact
- Developing Talent and Fostering Connection + Community
We are intentional about connection. Our global community, spanning over 20 offices worldwide, is united by a drive to innovate. Your journey begins with an immersive, in-person onboarding experience designed to accelerate your impact and connect you to our mission and team from day one.
Okta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, or status as a protected veteran. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and convictions records, consistent with applicable laws.
If reasonable accommodation is needed to complete any part of the job application, interview process, or onboarding please use this Form to request an accommodation.
Notice for New York City Applicants & Employees: Okta may use Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT), as defined by New York City Local Law 144, that use artificial intelligence, machine learning, or other automated processes to assist in our recruitment and hiring process. In accordance with NYC Local Law 144, if you are an applicant or employee residing in New York City, please click here to view our full NYC AEDT Notice.