Sr. Principal Engineer, Backend - Cortex Cloud (Posture Security)

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural vision and design for complex, large-scale backend systems and microservices that form the backbone of Cortex Cloud Posture Security offerings
• Develop and implement high-quality, resilient, and scalable backend services primarily using Go and Python
• Drive system design discussions and decisions to meet current Posture Security needs while being adaptable for future growth and technological advancements in cloud security
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including product management, frontend engineers, security researchers, and SRE to define, design, and ship new features and platform enhancements
• Mentor and guide senior and junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous learning
• Define and evangelize best practices for backend development, testing, and deployment, especially for cloud-native security solutions
• Analyze and resolve complex technical challenges and production issues to ensure reliability and performance of Cortex Cloud Posture Security services
• Contribute to and lead code reviews, design reviews, and architectural reviews related to Posture Security components
• Stay informed about emerging technologies and industry trends in cloud security, backend development, and posture management, evaluating their potential adoption
• Optionally, leverage understanding of UI development and user experience to contribute to holistic product design and improve collaboration with frontend teams

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in backend software development with a proven track record of designing and delivering complex, distributed systems, preferably in a cloud security context
• Deep expertise in Go and/or Python for backend development
• Strong understanding of software architecture principles, including microservices, event-driven architecture, and distributed systems patterns
• Proven experience with system design, data modeling, and API design (RESTful, gRPC)
• Experience with various database technologies (SQL and NoSQL), message queues (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ), and caching solutions
• Solid understanding of cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, or Azure) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes), with a focus on security best practices
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and mentor engineers
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities, with the capacity to explain complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical or military experience

Nice to Have

• Experience with UI development and user experience considerations
• Familiarity with security best practices within cloud environments

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical or military experience

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation between $170,000 and $277,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience
• Potential inclusion of restricted stock units and bonuses
• Comprehensive employee benefits (details available via company link)