Senior Software Engineer, Backend

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services, tools, and pipelines supporting mission-critical security systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to design and implement secure, high-performance services and APIs.
• Develop and maintain backend infrastructure for authentication, authorization, and secure data handling.
• Establish and promote best practices for backend architecture, security, and code quality at scale.
• Build systems that are reliable, observable, and capable of supporting a rapidly growing codebase and engineering team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 6+ years of backend software engineering experience, with exposure to security-focused systems (e.g., IAM, API security, certificate management).
• Strong experience building and operating backend services in cloud environments.
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (Python, Go, Rust, C++, etc.).
• Solid understanding of distributed systems, API design, and backend architecture.
• Experience working in Linux environments, including command line and scripting.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience solving ambiguous, complex backend problems in fast-paced environments.
• Familiarity with DevOps practices and tools (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience designing and scaling APIs and microservices.
• Background in one or more security domains (e.g., cryptography, network security, infrastructure security).
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams.
• Ownership mindset with a bias toward action and continuous improvement.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs unassisted.
• Specific certifications, as appropriate.

Pay Range

• Senior Software Engineer, Backend: $159,000 - $226,000
• Staff Software Engineer, Backend: $188,600 - $267,000

Pay Range

California $159,000—$267,000 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package.

Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.

We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.s. Export Control Compliance Status

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.