Staff Backend Engineer (Go), Software Supply Chain Security: Secrets Management
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled backend engineers in software security has surged, with a 25% increase in job openings in the past year. As companies like Gitlab continue to invest in DevSecOps, professionals with expertise in Go and secrets management are in high demand. With over 50 million registered users, Gitlab is a leader in the industry, and this role offers a unique opportunity to work on a critical component of their platform. Before applying, candidates should be prepared to showcase their technical leadership skills and experience with multi-tenant secrets management.
Job Description
About the Role
As a Staff Backend Engineer at Gitlab, you will be responsible for leading the technical strategy for secrets management. This critical component of the Gitlab platform requires a deep understanding of secure, multi-tenant secrets management at scale. You will be working closely with cross-functional teams, including Pipeline Security, Authentication, and Platform, to propose, review, and deliver improvements to the secrets management system.The successful candidate will have a strong technical background, with experience in Go and secrets management. They will be able to drive technical direction, collaborate with stakeholders, and communicate complex ideas effectively. The role will also involve contributing to the OpenBao open source project, ensuring that Gitlab's product direction and upstream contributions are aligned.
Gitlab is a leader in the DevSecOps industry, with a strong culture of innovation and collaboration. The company is committed to using AI as a core productivity multiplier, and all team members are expected to incorporate AI into their daily workflows. With a high-performance culture driven by values and continuous knowledge exchange, Gitlab is an exciting place to work for professionals looking to accelerate their careers.
What You Will Do
- Lead the technical strategy for Gitlab Secrets Manager, setting architecture direction for secure, multi-tenant secrets management at scale
- Own the integration between Gitlab and OpenBao, including namespaces, authentication mechanisms, and policy management
- Collaborate with Pipeline Security, Authentication, and Platform teams to propose, review, and deliver cross-team secrets management improvements
- Partner with Gitlab.com Infrastructure teams to ensure secrets management meets reliability, performance, and operational requirements
- Represent Gitlab in the OpenBao open source project by contributing features upstream, participating in technical steering discussions, and maintaining strong technical credibility
- Mentor and advise engineers on secrets management, cryptographic systems, and secure architecture patterns
- Drive architecture decisions for multi-tenant secrets management at scale
- Guide integration into Gitlab, ensuring seamless functionality and reliability
- Contribute upstream to the OpenBao project, reinforcing Gitlab's product direction and technical credibility
What We Are Looking For
- 5+ years of experience in software development, with a focus on backend engineering and secrets management
- Strong proficiency in Go, with experience in designing and implementing secure, multi-tenant secrets management systems
- Excellent technical leadership skills, with the ability to drive technical direction and collaborate with stakeholders
- Experience with OpenBao or similar open source projects, with a strong understanding of the technical and governance aspects
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
- Experience with cloud-based infrastructure and DevSecOps practices
- Strong understanding of cryptographic systems and secure architecture patterns
Nice to Have
- Experience with AI-powered productivity tools and workflows
- Knowledge of DevSecOps practices and tools, including CI/CD pipelines and security testing
- Familiarity with Gitlab's products and services, including Gitlab Secrets Manager and OpenBao
- Experience with agile development methodologies and version control systems
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work with a leader in the DevSecOps industry
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Professional development opportunities, including training and conference sponsorships
- Flexible working hours and remote work options
- Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools
- Comprehensive health and wellness programs
- Generous paid time off and holiday policy
How to Stand Out
- To stand out as a candidate, be prepared to showcase your technical leadership skills and experience with multi-tenant secrets management.
- Make sure to highlight your proficiency in Go and your understanding of cryptographic systems and secure architecture patterns.
- Review the OpenBao project and be prepared to discuss your experience with similar open source projects.
- Emphasize your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and drive technical direction.
- Be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud-based infrastructure and DevSecOps practices.
- Show a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and workflows, including AI-powered productivity tools.
This is a remote position listed on WFA Digital, the platform for professionals who work from anywhere. Browse more remote jobs across all categories.