Staff Software Engineer, Security

Okta; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity (where applicable)

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Job summary

Okta is seeking an experienced software security engineer to join the Workforce Identity Cloud Security Engineering group. The role focuses on designing and developing security solutions to harden frameworks and infrastructure while maintaining a weekly release cadence.

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in Java, 4+ years in security for apps and distributed systems, and strong expertise in cryptography, authentication, and cloud platforms (AWS/GCP).

Qualifications

• 8+ years designing and implementing software systems in Java.
• 4+ years building security solutions for applications and distributed systems.
• Experience with Application Security, Cryptography, Authentication, Authorization, Secrets management.

Responsibilities

• Liaise between engineering, security and product to develop security roadmap requirements.
• Evangelize security best practices across the engineering org.
• Research, design, implement and own security frameworks and features protecting Okta’s customers.
• Participate in cross-vertical code reviews with emphasis on Security.
• Break down complex problems and prototype security initiatives using Agile practices.
• Coach and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Java development

Security solutions design

Application security

Cloud (AWS/GCP)

MySQL / Redis / Elasticsearch

Technical documentation

Post-Quantum Cryptography

AI agent systems security

Leadership in security

Education

B.S./M.S. in Computer Science or related field

Tools

AWS

GCP

Job description

Secure Every Identity, from AI to HumanIdentity 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.

Secure Every Identity, from AI to HumanIdentity 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.

Okta’s Workforce Identity Cloud Security Engineering group

is looking for an experienced and passionate software security engineer to join a team focused on designing and developing Security solutions to harden our frameworks & infrastructure. We embrace innovation and pave the way to transform bright ideas into excellent security software solutions that help run large-scale, mission-critical software. We encourage you to prescribe defense-in-depth measures, industry security standards, enforce the principle of least privilege to help take our Security posture to the next level. Our Security engineering team has a niche skill-set that combines Security domain expertise with the ability to design, implement and rollout security features and functionalities without adding friction to product functionality or performance. We are responsible for the ever-growing need to improve our customer safety and privacy by providing security services that are coupled with the core Okta product.

This is a high-impact role in a security-centric, fast-paced organization that is poised for massive growth and success. You will act as a liaison between the Security org and the engineering org to build technical leverage and influence the security roadmap and direction. You will focus on engineering security and privacy aspects of the systems used across our services while working on a weekly release cadence. You will be empowered to propose stimulating new projects for our roadmap and rewarded with projects using emerging technologies.

Bring all the passion and dedication along and there’s no telling what you could accomplish!

Preferred qualification and abilities:

• 8+ years of development experience in designing and implementing software systems in Java, building highly reliable and mission-critical software.
• 4+ years of work experience in designing and implementing security solutions for applications and distributed systems.
• Work experience and excellent understanding in Application Security, Cryptography, Authentication, Authorization, Certificates and Secrets Management.
• Work experience in using Cloud Service Providers such as AWS and GCP.
• Work experience in using RDBMS like MySQL, good grasp of concepts such as replication and clustering along with familiarity in data stores such as Redis and Elasticsearch.
• Developing and maintaining technical documentation such as cookbooks, design and architecture docs.
• Good understanding in Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) solutions, including quantum-resistant algorithms, cryptographic migration strategies, and secure integration into enterprise systems.
• Good understanding in designing, developing, and securing production-grade agentic AI systems, including autonomous and multi-agent architectures.
• Troubleshooting and fixing production issues to ensure reliability, security and performance.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills in security and engineering by leading from the front and excellent grasp of software engineering principles coupled with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic problem solving abilities to assist in planning, scoping and refining requirements of large and complex initiatives that are ambiguous.
• B.S or M.S in Computer Science or related fields.

Responsibilities :

• Act as a liaison between the engineering, security and product orgs to develop innovative requirements for the security roadmap.
• Evangelize security best practices across the engineering org.
• Research, design, implement and own security oriented frameworks and features with the common goal of protecting Okta’s customers.
• Routinely participate in cross-vertical code reviews with emphasis on Security.
• Break down complex problems into sub-tasks while prototyping rapidly and iteratively contributing to security initiatives using agile practices.
• Coach and mentor junior engineers in the team.

Additional requirements:

• U.S. soil status - the employee must be on U.S. soil, which means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or outlying areas of the United States, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101, and be a U.S. person.
• U.S. person status - the employee must be either a U.S. citizen as defined in 42 U.S. Code § 9102; a natural person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3); or a U.S. national (i.e. includes citizens and non-citizens born in outlying possessions such as American Samoa and Swains Island), green card holders, refugees, and asylees. Working on a U.S. visa does NOT qualify as a U.S. person.

The annual base salary range for this position for candidates located in the San Francisco Bay area is between: : $194,000 USD - $267,000 USD

Below is the annual base salary range for candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York and Washington. Your actual base salary will depend on factors such as your skills, qualifications, experience, and work location. In addition, Okta offers equity (where applicable), bonus, and benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), flexible spending account, and paid leave (including PTO and parental leave) in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. To learn more about our Total Rewards program please visit: https://rewards.okta.com/us.

The annual base salary range for this position for candidates located in California (excluding San Francisco Bay Area), Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Washington is between:: $174,000 USD - $239,000 USD

The Okta Experience

• 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 pleaseuse 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, pleaseclick here to view our full NYC AEDT Notice.