Staff Backend Engineer, Identity Threat Protection

Okta; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 194,000 - 267,000; Full time

Job summary

Okta in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to help lead the Identity Threat Protection team. You will architect cloud-native security products and drive scalable, production-ready solutions from concept to deployment.

You’ll mentor engineers, uphold engineering excellence with automated testing and reviews, and tackle mission-critical security and ML challenges in a fast, autonomous environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience building Java-based web applications.
• Deep understanding of design patterns, scalability, security engineering, and OO principles.
• Experience with CI/CD and modern software delivery practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication across functions.
• Proven track record of championing best practices in security.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead cloud-native security product design, development, and production readiness.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with engineering, product, design, support, and docs teams.
• Uphold engineering excellence through rigorous code reviews and comprehensive tests.
• Lead and mentor remote teams to ensure product quality, agility, and velocity.
• Act as a player-coach, setting standards and guiding junior engineers.

Skills

Java

Security

Job description

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 Threat Protection Team

Identity Threat Protection (ITP), powered by cutting‑edge Okta AI, shatters the mold of traditional login security. We deliver real‑time, surgical defense against the most sophisticated and rapidly evolving threats. By deeply integrating with existing security infrastructure, ITP relentlessly analyzes user behavior and system data to proactively hunt down and neutralize risks before they impact our customers.

Join an elite team of full‑stack engineers, visionary data scientists, and pioneering ML engineers. We are not just redefining cloud authentication— we are engineering the next‑gen security platform that continuously evaluates global threats and constructs a comprehensive, dynamic risk. ITP stands as the uncompromising guardian of trust and security, placing decisive risk prioritization at the core of every authentication and authorization decision.

Identity Threat Protection with Okta AI

The Staff Software Engineer Opportunity

Okta is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to be a driving force on the ITP engineering team. This is your chance to dive into the deep end and solve the most critical and complex security challenges facing enterprises today. We seek a candidate who has not just experience, but a proven record of designing, building, launching, and scaling world‑class security products—from concept to global deployment.

You will be a technical cornerstone of a team that lives and breathes elegant solutions and uncompromising quality. Our philosophy is rooted in relentless automated testing, rigorous code reviews, and the design of systems for massive, planetary‑scale operations. As a Staff Engineer, you are a player‑coach and a standard‑setter, demonstrating absolute excellence in software engineering. Our environment is high‑speed, fiercely innovative, and highly autonomous, utilizing agile cycles where individual ownership is paramount. If you crave stimulating, mission‑critical security projects, pioneering emerging technologies, and conquering complex security and Machine Learning challenges, this is your defining career opportunity.

What you’ll be doing

• Architect and Lead: Command the design, development, delivery, and supportability of cloud‑native security products—leading the charge from initial concept to final, production‑ready implementation.
• Drive Collaboration: Build solid, cross‑group partnerships and demonstrate exceptional interpersonal communication, working closely with engineering, product management, design, support, and documentation teams.
• Uphold Excellence: Commit to the highest programming standards through rigorous code reviews and the creation of comprehensive unit and functional tests.
• Lead Remote Teams: Excel at working with remote teams and individuals while relentlessly ensuring product quality, agility, and velocity.
• Mentor and Empower: Act as a player‑coach to mentor, groom, and educate junior engineers.

What you’ll bring to the role

• 7+ years of experience building Java‑based web applications.
• Deep understanding of design patterns, scalability patterns, security engineering, and object‑oriented principles.
• Experience thriving in fast‑paced software development teams that leverage continuous integration and deployment practices.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work across functions.
• A powerful security background and a proven track record of championing best practices.

Extra Credit if you have experience in any of the following

• Experience building anomaly detection systems or risk systems is a monumental advantage.
• Expertise in cloud security, identity, and/or authentication protocols.
• Hands‑on experience with one or more cutting‑edge UI technologies such as Angular, ReactJS, Backbone, and Vue.

Additional requirements

• This position requires the ability to access federal environments and/or have access to protected federal data. As a condition of employment for this position, the successful candidate must be able to submit documentation establishing U.S. Person status (e.g. a U.S. Citizen, National, Lawful Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee. 22 CFR 120.15) upon hire.

Compensation

Annual base salary range for candidates located in San Francisco Bay Area is between $194,000 – $267,000 USD.

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.