Staff Backend Engineer, SSCS: AI Governance

About the Role

The role sits at the intersection of AI systems, compliance, auditability, and backend architecture, requiring a deep understanding of these areas and how they intersect. You will be part of a high-performance culture driven by Gitlab's values and continuous knowledge exchange, enabling you to reach your full potential while collaborating with industry leaders to solve complex problems.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include collaborating closely with engineering teams working on GitLab Duo and adjacent platform areas to ensure governance capabilities are built into the product in a scalable and consistent way. You will also partner with cross-functional teams to drive the technical direction of AI governance, influencing multiple teams and shaping core systems that give customers clear visibility into AI agent activity and the controls they need to manage usage with clarity.

What You Will Do

• Define and drive backend architecture for AI governance systems, including auditability, policy enforcement, and enterprise reporting capabilities, to improve governance coverage and enable reliable enterprise adoption.
• Design the AI audit event system, including event schema, pipelines, storage patterns, retention considerations, and export surfaces, to deliver reliable audit visibility and support customer reporting and compliance requirements.
• Build and guide the integration layer between the Duo Agent Platform and governance capabilities so agent actions can be observed and controlled at the right points in execution, reducing governance gaps across agent workflows.
• Guide technical design for tool and registry governance, including metadata models, permissions, and controls for managed tool usage, enabling safer, more consistent, and more governable tool access.
• Define backend foundations for a declarative policy framework that governs which agents and tools can be used under specific conditions, helping customers enforce governance policies across their environments.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of AI governance capabilities with existing platform features, enhancing the overall user experience and operational efficiency.
• Participate in the development of technical documentation and design proposals, ensuring that all stakeholders are well-informed and aligned with the technical direction of AI governance.
• Engage with customers and the broader community to gather feedback and insights on AI governance, using this information to inform and improve the technical direction of the product.

What We Are Looking For

• 5+ years of experience in software development, with a focus on backend architecture and AI systems.
• Strong understanding of AI governance, compliance, and auditability, with experience in designing and implementing governance capabilities in complex systems.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++, with experience in cloud-based platforms and containerization technologies.
• Experience with enterprise reporting and policy-based governance, with a strong understanding of how these concepts apply to AI systems.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and influence technical direction.
• Experience with agile development methodologies and version control systems such as Git.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.

Nice to Have

• Experience with machine learning and natural language processing, with a strong understanding of how these technologies apply to AI governance.
• Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and tools, with experience in integrating security and compliance into the development lifecycle.
• Knowledge of cloud security and compliance frameworks, with experience in applying these frameworks to complex systems.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker, with a strong understanding of how these technologies apply to AI systems.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary and equity package, with a strong focus on recognizing and rewarding individual contributions.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off.
• Flexible working hours and remote work options, with a strong focus on work-life balance and employee well-being.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development, with a strong focus on continuous learning and skill development.
• Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools, with a strong focus on innovation and experimentation.
• Collaborative and dynamic work environment, with a strong focus on teamwork and open communication.

• To stand out in this role, focus on developing a deep understanding of AI governance, compliance, and auditability, with a strong emphasis on backend architecture and AI systems.
• Be prepared to discuss your experience with enterprise reporting and policy-based governance, with a strong focus on how these concepts apply to AI systems.
• Highlight your ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, with a strong emphasis on communication and influencing technical direction.
• Showcase your problem-solving skills, with a strong focus on analyzing complex problems and developing creative solutions.
• Emphasize your experience with agile development methodologies and version control systems, with a strong understanding of how these concepts apply to AI governance.
• Be prepared to discuss your long-term career goals and how this role aligns with your aspirations, with a strong focus on professional growth and development.