About this role.
This is a senior backend software engineering role on Fastly's Security Products group, focused on building and operating large-scale edge security systems. The engineer will primarily develop Go-based backend services, optimize performance, and contribute to code reviews, documentation, and cross-functional delivery. Strong expertise in HTTP, networking protocols, Linux, automation, shell scripting, and secure web infrastructure is central to the position. The role requires at least six years of enterprise development experience, collaboration in a distributed team, core US business-hour availability, and participation in an on-call rotation.
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Sample interview questions
I would explain the service architecture, concurrency model, API and data-store choices, observability approach, and measurable performance outcomes. I would also describe how I used profiling, load testing, caching, connection management, or back-pressure controls to improve reliability and latency.
I would first validate the scope using dashboards and traces, segmenting by region, endpoint, customer traffic pattern, and deployment version. I would inspect CPU, memory, network saturation, upstream dependency health, error rates, and request characteristics, then mitigate through rollback, traffic controls, capacity changes, or targeted configuration fixes while documenting the incident.
I apply secure defaults, strong authentication and authorization, input validation, least-privilege access, secret management, encryption in transit, structured audit logging, and dependency vulnerability management. I also consider protocol-specific threats such as request smuggling, header injection, rate abuse, and denial-of-service risks.
I begin with production metrics and reproducible benchmarks rather than assumptions. I use Go profiling tools to identify CPU, allocation, goroutine, lock-contention, and I/O bottlenecks, then make focused changes and validate them with load tests, regression tests, and production monitoring.
I keep work visible through clear design documents, concise status updates, and well-scoped pull requests. I actively seek feedback early, write useful documentation, communicate operational risk during releases, and make time-zone-aware decisions that keep teammates aligned without creating unnecessary meetings.
Fastly helps people stay better connected with the things they love. Fastly’s edge cloud platform enables customers to create great digital experiences quickly, securely, and reliably by processing, serving, and securing our customers’ applications as close to their end-users as possible — at the edge of the Internet. The platform is designed to take advantage of the modern internet, to be programmable, and to support agile software development. Fastly’s customers include many of the world’s most prominent companies, including GitHub, Yelp, Paramount, and JetBlue.
We’re building a more trustworthy Internet. Come join us.
Posting Open Date: 09/09/2026
Anticipated Posting Close Date*: 10/05/2026
*Job posting may close early due to the volume of applicants.
Staff Software Engineer – Security Products
The Security Products group is responsible for developing and maintaining a range of security related products at Fastly. We are made up of multifaceted teams that work together to build industry leading security products that our customers rely on to secure their infrastructure. We are looking for a full-time engineer with experience developing web applications. This role is for a backend engineer developing primarily in Go, but experience with other languages (C, Rust etc.) is useful.
What You’ll Do:
- Work as part of a team developing backend systems for large scale web applications in Go
- Write clean, modular, robust code to implement the desired requirements
- Coordinate and communicate seamlessly with the team members and across other technical and product teams
- Contribute to code reviews, documentation and other team processes
- Code optimization and performance tuning
What We’re Looking For:
- 6+ Years of enterprise software development experience
- Deep knowledge of HTTP and related networking protocols (Varnish, H2O etc.)
- Strong interest in network security
- Hands on experience developing and operating backend systems for web applications
- Experience working in a collaborative, distributed team environment
- Strong Linux, automation, and shell scripting skills
We’ll be super impressed if you have experience in any of these:
- Prior experience building security solutions
- Expertise in building in Kubernetes
- Experience managing hybrid cloud environments (data center + public cloud)
Work Hours:
- This position will require you to be available during core US business hours as well as participating in an on call rotation
Work Location(s) & Travel Requirements:
This position is a remote role and open to candidates residing in the following locations: North America
This position may require travel as required by your role or requested by your manager.
SF / LA Fair Chance Ordinance Statement
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Salary:
The estimated salary range for this position is 181,220.00 to 217,464.00
This role may be eligible to participate in Fastly’s equity and discretionary bonus programs.
Benefits:
We care about you. Fastly works hard to create a positive environment for our employees, and we think your life outside of work is important too. We support our teams with great benefits that start on the first day of your employment with Fastly. Curious about our offerings?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Family planning, mental health support along with Employee Assistance Program, Insurance (Life, Disability, and Accident), a Flexible Vacation policy and up to 18 days of accrued paid sick leave are there to help support our employees. We also offer 401(k) (including company match) and an Employee Stock Purchase Program. For 2025, we offer 11 paid local holidays, 11 paid company wellness days.
Why Fastly?
We have a huge impact. Fastly is a small company with a big reach. Not only do our customers have a tremendous user base, but we also support a growing number of open source projects and initiatives. Outside of code, employees are encouraged to share causes close to their heart with others so we can help lend a supportive hand.
We value diversity. Growing and maintaining our inclusive and diverse team matters to us. We are committed to being a company where our employees feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work and have the ability to be successful — every day.
We are passionate. Fastly is chock full of passionate people and we’re not ‘one size fits all’. Fastly employs authors, pilots, skiers, parents (of humans and animals), makeup geeks, coffee connoisseurs, and more. We love employees for who they are and what they are passionate about.
We’re always looking for humble, sharp, and creative folks to join the Fastly team. If you think you might be a fit please apply! A fully completed application and resume or CV are required when applying.
All job applications must be submitted through our official careers site at www.fastly.com/about/careers. We will never request sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, bank account or credit card information during the application process. All official communication will come from an @fastly.com or @recruiting.fastly.com email address.
Fastly is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and to providing employees with a safe and welcoming work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Our employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, family or parental status, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and federal or state disability laws, Fastly will provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact your Recruiter, or the Fastly Employee Relations team at candidateaccommodations@fastly.com or 501-287-4901.
Fastly collects and processes personal data submitted by job applicants in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Please see our privacy notice for job applicants.
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