Senior Software Engineer (API/Middleware)

About Us:

Proofpoint is a global leader in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity. We protect how people, data, and AI agents connect across email, cloud, and collaboration tools. Over 80 of the Fortune 100, 10,000 large enterprises, and millions of smaller organizations trust Proofpoint to stop threats, prevent data loss, and build resilience across their people and AI workflows. Our mission is simple: safeguard the digital world and empower people to work securely and confidently. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

How We Work:

At Proofpoint you’ll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity guided by our BRAVE core values: 

Bold in how we dream and innovate

Responsive to feedback, challenges and opportunities

Accountable for results and best in class outcomes

Visionary in future focused problem-solving

Exceptional in execution and impact

Corporate Overview
Proofpoint is a leading cybersecurity company protecting organizations’ greatest assets and biggest risks: vulnerabilities in people. With an integrated suite of cloud-based solutions, Proofpoint helps companies around the world stop targeted threats, safeguard their data, and make their users more resilient against cyber-attacks. Leading organizations of all sizes, including more than half of the Fortune 1000, rely on Proofpoint for people-centric security and compliance solutions mitigating their most critical risks across email, the cloud, social media, and the web.
We are singularly devoted to helping our customers protect their greatest assets and biggest security risk: their people. That’s why we’re a leader in next-generation cybersecurity.
Protection Starts with People.  Proofpoint.
Senior Software Engineer, Backend/API — Sender Security & Authentication

About the Role

We’re seeking a Senior Software Engineer to architect and operate backend APIs and data services for the Sender Security and Authentication product group. This is a high-impact role building foundational features used across products – balancing greenfield design with pragmatic modernization, adopting an AI-first mindset to accelerate delivery and quality, and working in a collaborative, high-ownership culture focused on outcomes and excellence. You’ll partner closely with product and cross-functional teams to translate requirements into reliable, observable, and scalable services.

What You’ll Do

- Design and build scalable, secure REST/gRPC APIs and microservices

- Own services end‑to‑end across design, implementation, code reviews, testing, deployment, observability, and on‑call.

- Model and optimize data with PostgreSQL (SQL DDL/DML, indexing, query tuning, caching), ensuring performance and cost efficiency.

- Operate in AWS/Kubernetes (EKS, RDS/Postgres, S3, SNS/SQS, IAM) with Docker and Terraform.

- Establish core platform components that are reusable, extensible, and flexible across product teams.

- Collaborate cross‑functionally with product, design, security, and data teams to deliver business outcomes.

- Adopt AI‑First practices to speed development, testing, and ops, and safely integrate GenAI where it adds value.

What You’ll Bring

- Languages: Strong proficiency in Node.js (JavaScript/TypeScript) and/or Go; willingness to learn the other.

- API design: Deep experience with REST/gRPC, versioning, schema design (OpenAPI), and backward compatibility.

- Security fundamentals: Authentication/authorization (OAuth2/OIDC/SSO/JWT), secrets management, secure coding practices.

- Deep authz knowledge: RBAC/ReBac; caching/consistency strategies for check and list operations.

- Data expertise: Advanced SQL with PostgreSQL, schema design, performance tuning; familiarity with Redis or similar caching.

- Cloud & platform: Hands‑on with AWS (RDS, S3, SNS/SQS), Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform; CI/CD (Jenkins/GitHub Actions or similar).

- Reliability mindset: Observability (metrics/tracing/logging), capacity planning, resilience patterns, and on‑call ownership.

- Large-scale migrations: Proven track record shipping complex, low-risk migrations in production with observability and rollback.

- Collaboration & leadership: Strong code review habits, architectural thinking, and ability to mentor peers.

-Education: Must have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited school in an engineering related field. Nice to Have

- Internet/mail domain: Familiarity with SMTP/DNS and email authentication (SPF/DKIM/DMARC).

- Platform tooling: API gateways, developer SDKs, feature flags, progressive delivery. Level and title commensurate with experience.
Why Proofpoint
Protecting people is at the heart of our award-winning lineup of cybersecurity solutions, and the people who work here are the key to our success.  We’re a customer-focused and a driven-to-win organization with leading-edge products. We are an inclusive, diverse, multinational company that believes in culture fit, but more importantly ‘culture-add’, and we strongly encourage people from all walks of life to apply.
We believe in hiring the best and the brightest to help cultivate our culture of collaboration and appreciation. Apply today and explore your future at Proofpoint! #LifeAtProofpoint
 

This posting is anticipated to remain open until February 15th, 2026

Why Proofpoint?

At Proofpoint, we believe that an exceptional career experience includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Here are just a few reasons you’ll love working with us:

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits

• Career success on your terms

• Flexible work environment

• Annual wellness and community outreach days

• Always on recognition for your contributions

• Global collaboration and networking opportunities

Our Culture:

Our culture is rooted in values that inspire belonging, empower purpose and drive success-every day, for everyone.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please reach out to [email protected].

How to Apply

Interested? Submit your application along with any supporting information- we can’t wait to hear from you!

Consistent with Proofpoint values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets as set out below. Pay within these ranges varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate. The range provided may represent a candidate range and may not reflect the full range for an individual tenured employee. This role may be eligible for variable compensation and/or equity. We offer a competitive benefits package, including flexible time off, a comprehensive well-being program with two paid Wellbeing Days and two paid Volunteer Days per year, plus a three-week Work from Anywhere option.

Base Pay Ranges:

SF Bay Area, New York City Metro Area:

California (excludes SF Bay Area), Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington DC Metro, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and Alaska:

All other cities and states excluding those listed above: