Senior Software Engineer (Backend / Distributed Systems)
- Location
- San Francisco
- Workplace
- On-site
- Compensation
- $250k – $300k + equity
About this role
We are looking for a Backend / Distributed Systems Engineer with 3+ years of experience to help build and scale our AI-powered detection platform that protects millions of users from account compromise in real time. You'll join a small, high-caliber team at one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity startups and own critical infrastructure from day one.
What will you be doing?
Design and build systems that detect account compromise in real time — spanning signal ingestion, behavioral analysis, and AI-powered decisioning
Architect backend infrastructure to handle 10-100x scale growth over the next 6 months
Ship ML/AI-integrated systems into production, not just prototypes
Establish engineering patterns and raise the technical bar across the team
Work directly with founders to evolve the core detection platform that drives Petra's competitive edge
What happens next
Skip the application pile. I get you in front of the people who decide.
Confirm the fit
A few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.
I pitch you to the company
I write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.
A meeting lands on your calendar
When the company wants to meet, I get the call on your calendar. You just show up.
Culture & values
Feedback-first culture: people are direct, give feedback constantly, and expect the same in return.
Collaborative environment with youthful energy, with the team mostly in their early-to-mid 20s.
People take their work seriously but don't take themselves too seriously.
High-output, fast-moving startup where everyone contributes to building from zero to one.
In-office energy: Bay Area team members are in the San Francisco office five days a week, fostering tight collaboration.
Small, high-performing team building something extraordinary.
Zero-to-one building: you'll be shaping processes, tools, and strategy alongside the founding team, not inheriting a rigid playbook.
Know someone who'd be great for this?
