Sr. Software Engineer (Backend)

Proofpoint; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 8,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Comprehensive benefits

Flexible work environment

Wellness days

Recognition program

Global collaboration

Career growth

Job summary

Proofpoint is seeking a senior backend engineer to own end-to-end design and deployment of scalable distributed systems in a cloud environment. You will optimize performance, reliability, and observability while guiding best practices and mentoring teammates.

The role requires 4+ years of backend experience, proficiency with Python/Go/Rust, Kubernetes, Docker, and modern CI/CD pipelines. Join a global team delivering people-centric cybersecurity solutions from Hyderabad, India.

Qualifications

• Proven backend experience with distributed systems.
• Production-grade cloud services in AWS/Azure/GCP.
• Strong track record with Python/Go/Rust.
• Experience with microservices, API gateways, and containers.

Responsibilities

• Own design-to-deployment of backend systems with quality bias.
• Introduce scalable architectures and best practices.
• Build tooling and observability for system health.
• Balance rapid iteration with long-term maintainability.
• Mentor teammates and foster collaborative culture.

Skills

Backend / distributed systems

Python/Go/Rust

Cloud environments (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Kafka / Kinesis

Kubernetes / Docker

CI/CD pipelines

AI-assisted development tools

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Kafka / Kinesis

CI/CD tools

CloudBees / Harness

Job description

About Us

Proofpoint is a global leader in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity. We protect how people, data, and AI agents connect across email, cloud, and collaboration tools. Over 80 of the Fortune 100, 10,000 large enterprises, and millions of smaller organizations trust Proofpoint to stop threats, prevent data loss, and build resilience across their people and AI workflows. Our mission is simple: safeguard the digital world and empower people to work securely and confidently. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

How We Work

At Proofpoint you’ll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity guided by our BRAVE core values: Bold in how we dream and innovate Responsive to feedback, challenges and opportunities Accountable for results and best in class outcomes Visionary in future focused problem-solving Exceptional in execution and impact

Corporate Overview

Proofpoint is a leading cybersecurity company protecting organizations’ greatest assets and biggest risks: vulnerabilities in people. With an integrated suite of cloud-based solutions, Proofpoint helps companies around the world stop targeted threats, safeguard their data, and make their users more resilient against cyber-attacks. Leading organizations of all sizes, including more than half of the Fortune 1000, rely on Proofpoint for people-centric security and compliance solutions mitigating their most critical risks across email, the cloud, social media, and the web. We are singularly devoted to helping our customers protect their greatest assets and biggest security risk: their people. That’s why we’re a leader in next-generation cybersecurity. Protection Starts with People.

Responsibilities

• Own problems end-to-end from design to deployment with a strong bias toward quality, automation, and continuous improvement.
• Introduce new techniques, architecture, and best practices to improve scalability, efficiency, and reliability.
• Build tooling and observability to monitor system health, identify bottlenecks, and proactively resolve instability.
• Balance rapid iteration on early-stage systems with long-term maintainability and architectural soundness.
• Contribute to a culture of engineering excellence, mentorship, and team-first collaboration.

Skills

• 4+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a focus on backend / distributed systems.
• Experience building and operating production-grade systems at scale in cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Experience with large-scale distributed systems ideally written in Python, Go or Rust
• Experience with micro service design using API gateways, event streaming (kafka / kinesis) and container orchestration (Kubernetes / Docker)
• Experience with DevOps workflows and CI/CD pipelines (familiarity with CloudBees / Harness is a plus)
• Strong debugging, instrumentation, and observability skills across distributed systems.
• Proven ability to take ownership of complex problems and learn quickly.
• Experience with AI-assisted development tools such coding assistants etc.

Bonus Experience

• Building agentic AI applications leveraging LLM frameworks, MCP servers; AI engineering experience
• Startup experience — especially as a founder or early engineer who has built a product from scratch — is a strong plus.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits
• Career success on your terms
• Flexible work environment
• Annual wellness and community outreach days
• Always on recognition for your contributions
• Global collaboration and networking opportunities

Our Culture

Our culture is rooted in values that inspire belonging, empower purpose and drive success-every day, for everyone. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please reach out to [e-mail].

Awards

Proofpoint has been honored with six Best Places to Work Awards in 2024 by workplace culture leader Comparably, including Best Company Career Growth, Best Company Outlook, Best Global Culture, Best Engineering Teams, Best Sales Teams, and Best HR Teams.

Leadership

We are the leader in human-centric cybersecurity. Half a million customers, including 87 of the Fortune 100, rely on Proofpoint to protect their organizations.

Mission Statement

We’re driven by a mission to stay ahead of bad actors and safeguard the digital world.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Proofpoint is an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Community & Support

Find your network, your allies, and your biggest fans. We know that work is simply better when you’re surrounded by people who inspire you—who share ideas, cheer you on, and genuinely want to see you succeed. That's why we offer social circles, sponsored networks, and connection points across teams and time zones—to help you find your people, build your community, and thrive together. This isn’t just a job—it’s a mission to protect people and defend data in a world that never slows down. We’re building the future of human-centric cybersecurity, and that future belongs to all of us. We take ownership, move fast, and hold ourselves accountable—because that’s what it takes to stay ahead. And we do it together, winning as one. Be empowered to reach your full potential through meaningful challenges and personalized support—designed around you and your goals. Whether you're growing as a leader or leveling up from great to exceptional as an individual contributor, we’re here to help you get there.