Okta is a leading provider of identity and access management solutions, dedicated to securing every identity, from AI to human. By building a trusted, neutral infrastructure, Okta empowers organizations to safely embrace the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and digital innovation. The company’s mission revolves around creating a secure environment where organizations can operate confidently in an increasingly digital world. With a focus on solving complex security challenges with real-world implications, Okta is committed to delivering innovative, scalable, and resilient security solutions that protect data, endpoints, and infrastructure. The organization fosters a culture of excellence, urgency, and collaboration, aiming to make a significant impact in the cybersecurity landscape and beyond. Supporting a diverse and inclusive work environment, Okta values talent that drives continuous improvement and technological advancement to secure the future of digital identity.
We are seeking a highly skilled Staff Software Engineer to join our expanding Defensive Cyber Engineering team, supporting Okta’s Public Sector roadmap. This role is based in the Washington, D.C. area and involves close collaboration with Security, Business Technology Engineering, and Product teams to develop and manage advanced security solutions. The ideal candidate will leverage their expertise in software development, data engineering, and security to build scalable, automated, and cloud-native infrastructure platforms that safeguard our workforce, endpoints, and corporate data. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage in career-defining work, tackling complex security challenges with innovative solutions. You will serve as a security subject matter expert, driving initiatives that enhance detection, response, and remediation capabilities across various environments, including highly regulated federal sectors. The role demands a proactive approach to security, automation, and infrastructure management, with a focus on delivering resilient and compliant security solutions that align with industry standards and organizational goals.
- *Qualifications**
- 8+ years of experience in software development, scripting, and automation, with a focus on infrastructure and data pipelines
- Proficiency in Python;
experience with Bash, PowerShell, or Go is a plus
- Experience developing and maintaining ETL/ELT pipelines for security data ingestion
- Strong understanding of log source integration and data ingestion for security purposes
- Ability to build scalable, fault-tolerant data pipelines for security event processing
- Proven track record of automating security controls and workflows using cloud-first methodologies
- Experience with Terraform and other infrastructure-as-code tools for security infrastructure orchestration
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for security automation and drift management
- Excellent communication skills for collaboration with technical teams, leadership, and external vendors
- 2+ years of experience working within highly regulated environments such as FedRAMP High, IL4, IL5, or IL6 (preferred)
- Current or previous security clearance (Secret, Top Secret, TS/SCI) is advantageous
- Ability to access federal environments and provide documentation establishing U.S. Person status (if applicable)
- *Responsibilities**
- Act as a security subject matter expert, providing solution engineering and architecture review for detection and response systems
- Lead technical efforts to evaluate, design, and implement new enterprise security systems and feature enhancements
- Develop and maintain automation scripts and cloud infrastructure using Terraform or similar tools to support security workflows
- Integrate APIs, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), and security infrastructure to enhance detection and response capabilities
- Automate security operations through scripting, primarily using Python, to streamline processes
- Establish monitoring and alerting systems to identify security misconfigurations, threats, and vulnerabilities across endpoints, SaaS, and cloud workloads
- Proactively identify security gaps, recommend improvements, and stay updated on emerging threats and solutions
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure security controls are integrated into infrastructure and applications
- Support compliance efforts by implementing policy-as-code and automated evidence gathering solutions
- Participate in security incident response, troubleshooting, and remediation activities as needed
- *Benefits**
- Competitive salary aligned with experience and location
- Equity options (where applicable) and performance-based bonuses
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
- Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care
- Generous paid leave policies, including PTO and parental leave
- Immersive onboarding and continuous learning opportunities
- Supportive and inclusive work environment fostering innovation and collaboration
Equal Opportunity
Okta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 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, disability, or protected veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed during the application, interview, or onboarding process, please utilize our accommodation request form. We are dedicated to ensuring a fair and equitable hiring process for all candidates.
