Software Development Engineer - Authorization and Configurable Security

Workday, Inc.; Pleasanton (CA); Hybrid; USD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Job summary

Workday, Inc. in Pleasanton, CA is seeking a Software Engineer for the Security Platform team to build and scale authorization frameworks, access control, and distributed data security models.

You will own features end-to-end, write critical-path code, participate in on-call rotations, and collaborate on system design to keep our global security infrastructure robust.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in software development including designing, developing, and deploying software solutions.

Responsibilities

• Own complex features end-to-end and write high-quality critical path code.
• Participate in on-call rotations and system design discussions.
• Collaborate on ensuring robust, performant security infrastructure.

Skills

Java

Go

Scala

Algorithmic Thinking

RESTful API Design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

XO (Xpresso)

Git

JUnit/Mockito

Job description

Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team

Our Pleasanton office is Workday’s global headquarters and the central hub driving core innovations for our platform. In the Security Platform group, you will solve complex, large-scale security challenges that impact millions of users worldwide. We offer a highly collaborative environment, competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a culture that genuinely values work-life balance and continuous career growth.

About the Role

As a Software Engineer within the Security Platform organization, you will play a critical role in building and scaling our next-generation authorization frameworks, access control systems, and distributed data security models. You will own complex features end-to-end, write high-quality critical path code, participate in on-call rotations, and collaborate on system design to ensure Workday’s global security infrastructure remains robust, performant, and secure.

About You

Basic Qualification

• 5+ years experience in software development engineering including designing, developing, and deploying software solutions.
• 4+ years experience in the following programming languages: Java, Go, or Scala.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Other Qualifications

• Willingness to Learn Proprietary Tech: Eagerness and adaptability to learn and develop in XO (Xpresso), Workday's proprietary programming language used to build scalable, secure enterprise application logic.
• Solid ability in Algorithmic Thinking, including utilizing distributed data structures, trees, and graphs, to design and implement efficient solutions for high-throughput, low-latency access control systems.
• Working knowledge of API Development, including RESTful API and gRPC design principles and experience in building and securing microservices-based authorization endpoints.
• Good understanding of Code Testing methodologies, such as unit, integration, and security-focused testing, and experience with JUnit, Mockito, or similar testing frameworks.
• Good understanding of Object-Oriented Design (OOD) principles like encapsulation, abstraction, and polymorphism and their application in software design.
• Solid understanding of Software Development principles and Agile/Scrum development methodologies.
• Working experience with Source Control Management (SCM) tools such as Git and modern branching strategies.
• Proven ability in Team Collaboration within a software development team, including participating in code reviews, mentoring associate engineers, and engaging in cross-functional design discussions.
• Good skills in creating Technical Writing Documentation for system architecture designs, API specifications, and threat modeling documentation.
• Experience working/building AI Agents.
• Nice to have Experience with SQL/NoSQL databases and working on the multi-tenant public cloud global environment.
• Comfortable working with global teams.
• Familiarity with security concepts, such as authorization, authentication, privacy, access management, etc.

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here.

Primary Location

USA.CA.Pleasanton

Primary Location Base Pay Range

$148,000 USD - $222,000 USD

Additional US Location(s)

Base Pay Range: $123,900 USD - $222,000 USD

Our Approach to Flexible Work

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

At Workday, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring experience where all candidates can fully demonstrate their skills.

Workday is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Workday are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Further, pursuant to applicable local ordinances, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us.

Workday is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, disabled veterans, and others during our application process.