Staff Software Development Engineer

About the role

Join Delinea as a Staff Software Development Engineer working on our StrongDM platform, a comprehensive access management solution that secures and audits access to databases, servers, Kubernetes clusters, and web applications. In this on-site role based in the U.S., you will apply your deep expertise in distributed systems, security, and cloud architecture to influence the technical direction of the platform. You will be responsible for tackling some of the most complex engineering challenges, making critical architecture decisions, and serving as a recognized subject matter expert in secure, high-scale distributed systems written in Go. This position offers an opportunity to lead technical initiatives, mentor engineers, and work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver robust security solutions that meet enterprise needs.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the architecture and technical strategy for highly concurrent, distributed backend systems developed in Go (Golang), establishing engineering standards that are adopted across multiple teams within StrongDM and Delinea.
• Drive design decisions for the proxy data plane, including gateways and relays, as well as control-plane services, carefully evaluating tradeoffs on complex and ambiguous technical problems to ensure scalability, security, and performance.
• Collaborate with architects, product managers, and DevOps/SRE leadership to develop multi-quarter system roadmaps, translating broader business priorities into actionable technical strategies.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on secure network protocols, including TLS/mTLS, cryptographic systems, credential brokering, and key management, guiding their application across the platform to ensure security best practices.
• Lead code reviews, design reviews, and architectural discussions across teams, setting a high bar for performance, security, and maintainability, while coaching engineers on applying these standards independently.
• Investigate and resolve the most challenging technical issues encountered in distributed, multi-cloud production environments, often involving ambiguous or intangible tradeoffs that require careful evaluation.
• Author and maintain architectural and technical strategy documentation that informs decision-making beyond your immediate team, ensuring consistency and clarity in platform development.
• Mentor engineers across the organization, providing technical guidance and support, and may direct the work of others to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
• Build cross-team relationships to facilitate effective collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the successful execution of engineering initiatives.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of development processes, deployment strategies, and operational practices to enhance platform reliability and security.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and security standards relevant to distributed systems and cloud infrastructure, and incorporate relevant innovations into the platform.
• Participate in on-call rotations and incident response efforts to maintain platform stability and security in production environments.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment and understanding across teams.
• Support the development of new features and enhancements that improve the platform's security, scalability, and usability, aligning with strategic product goals.
• Engage in strategic planning for platform evolution, helping shape the future direction of StrongDM's architecture and capabilities.
• Foster a culture of engineering excellence, innovation, and continuous learning within the team and organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field.
• Extensive experience in designing, building, and leading distributed systems, preferably in cloud environments.
• Strong proficiency in Go (Golang), with a track record of developing high-performance backend systems.
• Deep understanding of secure network protocols such as TLS/mTLS, cryptography, credential management, and key management.
• Proven ability to make architecture decisions that balance security, performance, and scalability in complex environments.
• Experience working with multi-cloud deployments, including AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Familiarity with container orchestration tools such as Kubernetes.
• Knowledge of infrastructure as code tools like Terraform.
• Strong problem-solving skills, especially in troubleshooting complex distributed system issues.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating technical strategies and collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and lead technical initiatives.
• Experience mentoring engineers and leading technical reviews.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and automation practices.
• Understanding of SaaS platform architecture and security considerations.
• Ability to handle ambiguous technical challenges and evaluate tradeoffs effectively.

Nice to have

• Experience with proxy data planes, gateways, and relays.
• Familiarity with cryptographic systems and credential management.
• Prior leadership or mentorship roles in engineering teams.
• Knowledge of Kubernetes, Terraform, or CI/CD pipelines.
• Understanding of SaaS platform architecture and security considerations.
• Experience working in security-focused environments or with security standards.
• Familiarity with incident response and on-call practices.
• Exposure to multi-cloud environments and distributed architecture best practices.

Skills & tools

• Go (Golang)
• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Distributed systems architecture
• Security protocols (TLS/mTLS)
• Cryptography and credential management
• Kubernetes
• Terraform
• CI/CD pipelines
• Multi-cloud deployment and management

Practical notes

This position is based in the U.S. and requires on-site presence. Delinea offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment focused on security, innovation, and operational excellence. Candidates should be prepared to engage in complex technical decision-making, mentor peers, and contribute to the strategic evolution of the platform. The role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, DevOps, and security, to deliver scalable and secure solutions. Candidates should have a strong understanding of distributed systems, security protocols, and cloud infrastructure, and be comfortable navigating ambiguous technical challenges. Delinea values diversity, innovation, and a culture of respect and fairness, and encourages candidates who are eager to push boundaries and challenge the status quo in security technology.