Senior Staff Software Engineer- Authentication and Authorization systems

About Gusto

Gusto is a modern, online people platform that helps small businesses take care of their teams. On top of full-service payroll, Gusto offers health insurance, 401(k)s, expert HR, and team management tools. Today, Gusto offices in Denver, San Francisco, and New York serve more than 300,000 businesses nationwide.

Our mission is to create a world where work empowers a better life, and it starts right here at Gusto. That’s why we’re committed to building a collaborative and inclusive workplace, both physically and virtually. Learn more about our Total Rewards philosophy.

Senior Staff Software Engineer

About the Role:

We are looking for a talented Engineering Lead with experience in building and managing secure authentication and authorization systems. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining scalable identity management systems, ensuring the security of user data, and enabling seamless user experiences. You will collaborate closely with product, security, and engineering teams to integrate robust authentication mechanisms into our platform

Here’s what you’ll do day to day:

• Collaboratively design and implement authorization solutions, including role-based access controls and workflows for managing user permissions, roles, and scopes across Gusto’s product suite.
• Engage in hands-on coding, contributing directly to the codebase and driving quality through active participation.
• Provide clear and constructive feedback during code reviews to foster team growth and maintain high standards of code quality.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Design, and Business, to identify customer pain points and develop innovative solutions.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices related to authorization and security.
• Lead and mentor fellow engineers in tackling complex technical challenges at scale.
• Prototype, iterate, and launch new features quickly and efficiently.
• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and innovation, building products our customers love.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Experience: 12+ years of software development experience, with a strong focus on authentication and authorization systems.
• Technical Expertise: Solid understanding of secure coding principles, Ruby, cryptography in authentication and authorization systems, and IAM best practices.
• API Security: Experience with API security and integrating authentication systems into applications.
• Tools Proficiency: Familiarity with technologies like Okta, Azure AD, OAuth, OpenID Connect (OIDC), SAML, header-based authentication, LDAP, and SCIM.
• Leadership Skills: Proven experience leading the innovation of customer-facing products and managing large projects end-to-end.
• Data Modeling: Advanced data modeling skills with hands-on experience building well-structured, easily maintainable, and well-documented code.
• Problem-Solving: Expertise in addressing complex product development challenges, particularly with Rails and React.
• Passion for Customers: A genuine passion for creating memorable experiences for customers and a commitment to understanding their needs.
• Effective Communicator: Strong verbal and written communication skills to articulate ideas clearly and collaborate with diverse teams.

Our cash compensation amount for this role is targeted at $191,000-$214,000 in Denver & most remote locations, and $225,000-$252,000 San Francisco & New York. Stock equity is additional. Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including candidate experience and expertise and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Gusto has physical office spaces in Denver, San Francisco, and New York City. Employees who are based in those locations will be expected to work from the office on designated days approximately 2-3 days per week (or more depending on role). The same office expectations apply to all Symmetry roles, Gusto's subsidiary, whose physical office is in Scottsdale.

Note: The San Francisco office expectations encompass both the San Francisco and San Jose metro areas.

When approved to work from a location other than a Gusto office, a secure, reliable, and consistent internet connection is required.

Our customers come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for small businesses, you will find a home at Gusto.

Gusto is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. Gusto considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Gusto is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. We want to see our candidates perform to the best of their ability. If you require a medical or religious accommodation at any time throughout your candidate journey, please fill out this form and a member of our team will get in touch with you.

Gusto takes security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please review our Fraudulent Activity Disclaimer.