Staff Backend Tech Lead — Platform Auth & SSO Architect

Matcha; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

NetBox Labs seeks a Staff Software Backend Engineer to technically lead our Foundations team. This role owns architecture for authentication, authorization, secrets management, and telemetry, partnering with the Foundations Engineering Manager on people and process while you direct technical execution.

You will define API contracts, drive core services to GA, and set engineering standards across the team. Strong Linux, distributed systems, and API design experience are essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of software development with ownership of a platform or infrastructure area.
• 3+ years in a B2B software startup or high-growth org.
• Direct experience with authentication and authorization systems (OAuth/SSO/RBAC).
• Experience leading engineering work without formal manager authority.
• Backend programming in Python and Go.
• Experience designing APIs used by other teams.
• Strong Linux and distributed systems fundamentals.
• Track record making technical decisions under ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture of the Platform Authorization Service (PAS).
• Set the technical direction for identity, SSO, access control, and secrets management.
• Lead delivery of Foundations core services (login, authorization, tenancy).
• Act as the primary technical decision maker for Foundations.
• Lead and mentor the Foundations engineering team in daily work.
• Partner with the Foundations Engineering Manager and Product Manager on execution.
• Drive core components through GA launch.
• Define API contracts for platform services consumed by Delivery Platform and Application teams.
• Work with the Foundations Product Manager to align technical plans with product priorities.
• Set engineering standards for code review, testing, and documentation.

Skills

Python

Go

OAuth

SSO

RBAC

APIs

Linux

Distributed systems

Architectural direction

Mentorship

Tools

Kubernetes

Git

Terraform

Job description

NetBox Labs seeks a Staff Software Backend Engineer to technically lead our Foundations team. This role owns architecture for authentication, authorization, secrets management, and telemetry, partnering with the Foundations Engineering Manager on people and process while you direct technical execution.

You will define API contracts, drive core services to GA, and set engineering standards across the team. Strong Linux, distributed systems, and API design experience are essential.