Lead Engineer - Identity and Authentication

About Uphold

Uphold is a financial technology company that believes on-chain services are the future of finance. It provides modern infrastructure for on-chain payments, banking and investments. Offering Consumer Services, Business Services and Institutional Trading, Uphold makes pioneering financial services easy and trusted for millions of customers in more than 140 countries.

Uphold integrates with more than 30 trading venues, including centralized and decentralized exchanges, to deliver superior liquidity and optimal execution. Uphold never loans out customer assets and is always 100% reserved.
The company pioneered radical transparency and uniquely publishes its assets and liabilities every 30 seconds on a public website (Transparency Page).

Uphold strips away the complexity and lack of transparency to open up Web3 finance for everyone.

To learn more about Uphold, please visit https://uphold.com.

The Opportunity

We're building a new team to own and transform how Uphold approaches identity, authentication, and security across our global multi-asset platform. The Lead Engineer is a foundational role where you'll shape the future of secure access for millions of users managing crypto, fiat, and precious metals.

You'll design and deliver state-of-the-art authentication systems (from passkeys to multi-factor challenges), strengthen compliance controls for regulated environments, and improve the user experience while improving security. This role combines deep technical expertise with leadership responsibilities - you'll architect critical systems, evaluate vendors, and eventually build and lead a team.

What you'll be doing primarily

• Design, build, and improve identity and authentication infrastructure that balances user experience with regulatory requirements.
• Implement modern authentication solutions including passkeys, WebAuthn, and advanced multi-factor authentication mechanisms (2FA, OTP, biometrics).
• Build systems that enable continuous monitoring, compliance reporting, and forensic analysis for fraud prevention and regulatory teams.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Fraud Prevention, Compliance, and Regulatory teams to ensure security solutions meet business and legal requirements.
• Research, evaluate, and select third-party identity providers, security vendors, and authentication platforms.
• Architect and implement integrations with external identity and security solutions.
• Design systems that comply with financial regulations, ensuring strong customer authentication (SCA) and auditability.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, security policies, and architecture decision records.
• Lead hiring, coaching, and development of team members as the team grows.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of relevant work experience in backend engineering with deep expertise in identity, authentication, and security systems.
• Deep experience with at least one of these languages and strong familiarity with the other: JavaScript (node.js) or Golang.
• Proficient in authentication protocols and standards (OAuth2, OIDC, SAML, WebAuthn, FIDO2).
• Experience building and scaling identity platforms at fintech companies or security-focused engineering roles at scale.
• Understanding of risk-based authentication, fraud prevention patterns, and security controls in financial products.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks impacting authentication (e.g., PSD2, KYC/AML requirements).
• Proven ability to architect secure, auditable systems that balance user experience with compliance needs.
• Experience evaluating and integrating third-party identity and security vendors.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Team-oriented and collaborative.
• Interest and readiness to take on people management responsibilities as the team grows.

Expectations: 

• Regular collaboration with engineering and cross-functional teams is expected.

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional travel to business meetings as needed (up to 10% of the time).

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with modern authentication methods like passkeys, biometric authentication, or risk-based adaptive authentication.
• Background in highly regulated environments (banking, payments, crypto).
• Familiarity with security frameworks and certifications (SOC2, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS).
• Previous experience building or leading identity/security engineering teams.
• Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or equivalent security certifications.
  

What We Offer

• Innovation and Impact: Contribute to pioneering projects in a dynamic and challenging environment.
• Competitive Compensation: Performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits on top of a competitive salary.
• Strong Company Culture: Thrive in a supportive, collegiate environment with values of integrity, teamwork, accountability, and excellence.
• Global Collaboration: Participate in regular updates, strategy sessions, and networking opportunities across the group.
• Development Opportunities: Access training and mentorship programs.
• Flexibility: Enjoy options to work from home, other locations, or adjust your hours.
• Inclusive Environment: Value and respect diverse perspectives.
  

Our Benefits

• Annual bonus program based on individual, team and company performance.
• Generous PTO, healthcare, and employee assistance programs.
• Engaging events and celebrations.
• Well-stocked office kitchen with a foodie culture.

Salary: $200,000 DOE + bonus

EEOC Employer

We're proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and we celebrate our employees' differences, including race, color, religion, gender identity, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, and any other protected classes. Difference makes us stronger and better - together.