Staff Software Engineer

About UpGuard

UpGuard is transforming cybersecurity by replacing manual security processes with AI-driven solutions. After successfully raising US$75 million in Series C funding, the company is expanding its infrastructure to handle 100 billion risk signals daily. The core product, the Cyber Risk Posture Management platform, combines security ratings, threat intelligence, and agentic AI to help organizations proactively manage their cyber risks.

Role Overview

The Staff Software Engineer position involves shaping the technical vision across the entire Product Engineering division. This role requires hands-on coding while collaborating with leadership to guide architectural decisions and platform scaling challenges that extend beyond individual teams. The person will work in one of UpGuard’s expanding Product Engineering squads alongside product managers, designers, and technical leads.

Technology Stack and Tools

• Frontend: React and TypeScript
• Backend: Go services
• Database: PostgreSQL
• Deployment: Kubernetes on Google Cloud Platform
• AI-assisted coding tools like Claude Code and Cursor
• LLM-backed product components

Key Responsibilities

• Remain hands-on by delivering features within a squad to ensure technical guidance is aligned with coding and customer needs
• Define cross-team architectural direction and take ownership of decisions spanning multiple squads
• Lead complex scaling and data challenges related to processing huge volumes of risk signals
• Improve engineering standards and foster growth through mentoring senior engineers and code reviews
• Collaborate with engineering and product leadership to shape the product roadmap, influencing both the “what” and “how” of development

Candidate Profile

• Minimum of 8 years engineering experience within tech-focused, product-driven companies
• Expertise in TypeScript and React
• Proficiency in at least one backend language, preferably Go
• Strong skills in relational database management, specifically with PostgreSQL
• Comfortable with AI-powered coding workflows and capable of critically reviewing automated outputs
• Pragmatic decision-making balancing technical excellence with immediate business requirements
• Collaborative attitude focusing on product and customer outcomes rather than code ego
• Proven record of directing technical strategies across several teams and effectively engaging others
• Experience managing end-to-end architectural or scalability challenges that impact business results
• Ability to influence product decisions and collaborate without direct authority

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in cybersecurity
• Experience operating services on Kubernetes and Google Cloud Platform
• Expertise in data engineering, large-scale scanning/crawling, or high-throughput system design
• Experience evolving architecture and team culture during company scaling transitions
• Track record building complex systems collaboratively from the ground up

Benefits and Perks

• Monthly lifestyle subsidy supporting financial, physical, and mental well-being
• Work-from-home setup allowance within first three months
• Annual $1500 USD Learning & Development budget for career growth
• Generous paid time off including PTO, additional leave days, and 18 weeks of paid parental leave
• Personal leave including sick and carer’s leave
• Fully remote working environment with optional office locations in Sydney and Hobart
• Provision of high-end hardware equipment
• Subscriptions to generative AI tools supported financially
• Opportunity to receive stock options, sharing in company growth and success

Diversity and Hiring Policies

UpGuard embraces Equal Employment Opportunity, evaluating qualified candidates without discrimination based on race, gender, orientation, age, veteran status, disability, or other protected categories.

Additional Information

Candidates should note that not all roles can be performed from the United States; eligibility is location-dependent. Employment offers are contingent on successful completion of national police history and reference checks.