Principal Software Engineer - Windows

Secure Every Identity, from AI to Human

Identity is the key to unlocking the potential of AI. Okta secures AI by building the trusted, neutral infrastructure that enables organizations to safely embrace this new era. This work requires a relentless drive to solve complex challenges with real-world stakes. We are looking for builders and owners who operate with speed and urgency and execute with excellence.

This is an opportunity to do career-defining work. We're all in on this mission. If you are too, let's talk. Device Identity and Access Organization

The Device Identity and Access organization is at the forefront of Okta’s Zero Trust vision. As a foundational pillar within Okta Research and Development (ORD), our mission is to transform the device itself into a secure, trusted, and effortless identity factor. We are the teams responsible for ensuring users can seamlessly interact with their work from any endpoint, anywhere in the world.

Our organization is composed of engineers who thrive at the intersection of deep client-side platform engineering and massive-scale distributed systems. The work we do secures millions of enterprise endpoints globally, prevents modern identity attacks, and fundamentally changes how people work by making world-class security completely invisible to the end user.

Opportunity

We seek a highly impactful and influential Software Engineer to join our Windows engineering team. The ideal candidate will leverage their deep expertise in Windows client software development, to architect, build, and scale the critical Windows software and services at the heart of our security and identity platform. This is a high-visibility, hands-on opportunity to define the architectural vision, pioneer new capabilities, and drive the technical strategy to solve complex, company-wide challenges and shape the future of Okta's device identity ecosystem. You will act as a key technical leader—a player-coach and force multiplier—by setting the technical standard, mentoring and coaching engineers, and partnering with engineering leadership and product management to translate strategic business objectives into actionable, scalable technical roadmaps. This role requires an engineer who believes in designing for high performance, secure by design, rigorous code reviews, automated testing, and an iterative process to build high-quality enterprise software.

What you’ll be doing

• Partner closely with Product Management, Engineering Directors, and Principal Architects to translate strategic business objectives into technical roadmaps.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Product, Design, and QA to ensure the seamless delivery of our most critical engineering initiatives.
• Lead the design and implementation of new features and services taking ownership from conception to deployment.
• Act as a force multiplier across multiple teams, mentoring Staff and Senior engineers, guiding technical design reviews, and raising the engineering bar across the entire pillar.
• Raise the technical bar through rigorous code standards, comprehensive automated testing, and modernized CI/CD pipelines, while championing engineering best practices and architectural standards.
• Create and maintain high-quality technical documentation and foster a culture of knowledge sharing within the team and the broader organization.
• Work within an environment that leverages AI-native engineering practices, utilizing AI coding assistants to accelerate delivery.
• Spearhead technical innovation, identifying emerging industry trends (such as advanced device security or AI-native development paradigms) and prototyping solutions to keep Okta ahead of the curve.

Minimum Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive software development experience, with a proven track record of designing and building Windows features using C++, C#, and the .NET framework.
• Deep expertise with Windows software environments, including design and performance optimization, security considerations.
• Solid understanding of the advanced debugging and performance optimization in Windows environment, Win32 API, inter-process communication (IPC), Windows services, and secure credential handling.
• Experience in fast-paced agile environments, with a strong understanding of CI/CD and automated testing.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences and influence technical direction.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot) to accelerate the development lifecycle.
• Cross-Platform context with strong conceptual understanding of Windows security features.

Nice-to-haves

• Security Domain Expertise such as Cryptography, endpoint security concepts (e.g., Trusted Platform Module, Device Management/MDM protocols, and endpoint detection).
• Understanding of Identity and Access Management protocols and technologies (e.g., FIDO, OIDC/OAuth, or similar modern authentication frameworks).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, secure coding practices, and certifications like CISSP or Security+.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience.

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The Okta Experience

We are intentional about connection. Our global community, spanning over 20 offices worldwide, is united by a drive to innovate. Your journey begins with an immersive, in-person onboarding experience designed to accelerate your impact and connect you to our mission and team from day one.

Okta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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, physical or mental disability, or status as a protected veteran. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and convictions records, consistent with applicable laws.

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