Sr. Software Engineer at Proofpoint

Sunnyvale, California, United States

Proofpoint Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Cybersecurity, TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

  • 7+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a focus on backend / distributed systems
  • Experience building and operating production-grade systems at scale in cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • Experience with large-scale distributed systems ideally written in Python, Go or Rust
  • Experience with micro service design using API gateways, event streaming (kafka / kinesis) and container orchestration (Kubernetes / Docker)
  • Experience with DevOps workflows and CI/CD pipelines (familiarity with CloudBees / Harness is a plus)
  • Strong debugging, instrumentation, and observability skills across distributed systems
  • Proven ability to take ownership of complex problems and learn quickly
  • Experience with AI-assisted development tools such coding assistants etc
  • Bonus - Experience building agentic AI applications leveraging LLM frameworks, MCP servers; AI engineering experience
  • Startup experience — especially as a founder or early engineer who has built a product from scratch — is a strong plus

Responsibilities

  • Own problems end-to-end from design to deployment with a strong bias toward quality, automation, and continuous improvement
  • Introduce new techniques, architecture, and best practices to improve scalability, efficiency, and reliability
  • Build tooling and observability to monitor system health, identify bottlenecks, and proactively resolve instability
  • Balance rapid iteration on early-stage systems with long-term maintainability and architectural soundness
  • Contribute to a culture of engineering excellence, mentorship, and team-first collaboration

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Software EngineeringCybersecurityCloudEmail SecuritySystem ArchitectureCollaboration Tools

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience level is required for this Senior Software Engineer role?

The role requires 7+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a focus on backend and distributed systems.

What technical skills are needed for this position?

Candidates need experience building and operating production-grade systems at scale in cloud environments like AWS, Azure, or GCP, along with large-scale distributed systems ideally in Python, Go, or Rust, and microservice design using API gateways and event streaming like Kafka.

What is the compensation or salary for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this a remote position, or what is the location policy?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the company culture like at Proofpoint?

Proofpoint has a global team guided by BRAVE core values: Bold, Responsive, Accountable, Visionary, and Exceptional, with a fast-moving, collaborative environment focused on engineering excellence, mentorship, and team-first collaboration.

Proofpoint

Cybersecurity solutions for email and digital communication

About Proofpoint

Proofpoint specializes in cybersecurity, focusing on protecting organizations from advanced threats and compliance risks. The company offers a range of solutions that secure email, social media, and other digital communication channels against cyber threats like phishing, malware, and ransomware. Its products work by utilizing advanced technologies, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, to detect and respond to threats in real-time. Proofpoint differentiates itself from competitors by providing user-friendly solutions that easily integrate into existing IT systems, along with subscription-based services that allow clients to select service tiers tailored to their needs. The company's goal is to enhance the cybersecurity defenses of various organizations, from large enterprises to small businesses, ensuring their digital communications remain secure.

Sunnyvale, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2002Year Founded
$55.4MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Cybersecurity, AI & Machine LearningIndustries
1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Health, dental, & vision
Employer-paid life, disability & employee assistance programs
Unlimited PTO
401K match
Remote work option

Risks

Integration challenges with Tessian and Illusive could disrupt operations.
Regulatory scrutiny may delay acquisition closings, affecting strategic plans.
Reliance on AI poses risks if technologies fail to adapt to new threats.

Differentiation

Proofpoint leverages AI and machine learning for real-time threat detection.
The company offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity solutions for digital communication.
Proofpoint's subscription-based model ensures recurring revenue and flexible service tiers.

Upsides

Acquisitions of Tessian and Illusive enhance AI-driven threat protection capabilities.
Growing demand for ITDR solutions boosts Proofpoint's market position.
Increased focus on AI-driven email security solutions aligns with industry trends.

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