At a Glance
- Tasks: Architect and lead the development of a cutting-edge cybersecurity policy platform.
- Company: Join Menlo Security, a leader in secure communication and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative culture, competitive salary, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Be part of a fun, inclusive team that values creativity and initiative.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working with innovative technologies.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in backend development; expertise in Python, Node.js, or Go required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Menlo Security's mission is enabling the world to connect, communicate and collaborate securely without compromise. We support customers across various enterprises including Fortune 500 companies, 9/10 of the largest global banks and the Department of Defense. We are growing from 400 employees into the next phase of our journey, and we need passionate talent filled with empathy and agility. The right candidate for the job is ethical, hyper‑organized, fanatical about seeing things through to completion, service‑oriented, and humble enough to take feedback and coaching yet confident enough to provide feedback and coaching.
About The Role
Menlo Security is seeking a Principal Software Engineer I for the R&D Policy Team. This team owns the full lifecycle of Menlo’s cybersecurity policy platform – the engine that defines how the product protects enterprise customers from web‑based threats. That spans policy storage and management (authoring, versioning, and serving the rules that govern customer security posture), policy distribution (propagating policy changes reliably and at scale to enforcement points globally), and real‑time enforcement (applying policies at traffic inspection time to block, isolate, or allow web activity). You will architect critical services across this stack, lead cross‑functional initiatives, and help shape how the team builds software in an era where AI is a first‑class engineering tool.
What You Will Do
- Architect, design, and own services across the policy platform — from policy storage and versioning APIs, to the distribution pipeline that propagates rule changes to enforcement nodes, to the enforcement layer that applies policies at inspection time with low latency and high availability.
- Evaluate the current state of policy management, distribution, and enforcement; design and lead a seamless modernization of the architecture that eliminates technical debt and scales for the future — without impacting customers or altering enforcement behavior.
- Lead design reviews and gain consensus on architectural decisions within the Policy Team; keep module designs current and sign off on significant code and design changes.
- Champion AI‑assisted development practices (LLM‑based coding assistants, automated test generation) and identify opportunities to embed ML/AI into policy features such as intelligent policy recommendations or anomaly‑based threat detection.
- Own complex projects end‑to‑end — requirements through deployment and monitoring — breaking work into well‑scoped tasks for junior engineers and unblocking teammates to maintain velocity.
- Partner with Product Management, Security, and Operations to align on requirements and schedules; produce accurate estimates and surface risks early.
- Mentor engineers through code reviews and design discussions; contribute to documentation and knowledge transfer across teams.
What You Need
- 8+ years of hands‑on backend development in Python, Node.js, or Go; 5+ years with cloud platforms (AWS or GCP), including managed Kubernetes (EKS/GKE).
- Proven experience architecting distributed systems with strong reliability, scalability, and low‑latency requirements — ideally in a security, networking, or high‑throughput data path context.
- Hands‑on experience developing, debugging, and troubleshooting backend services in Linux environments; working knowledge of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, TLS, HTTP/2, DNS, proxying) relevant to policy enforcement work.
- Experience with policy or rules engines, configuration distribution systems, or real‑time traffic inspection is a strong plus.
- Demonstrated experience designing and executing large‑scale data or schema migrations in live production systems — ideally with multi‑tenant, zero‑downtime, and behavioral‑equivalence requirements.
- Proficiency with data storage and analytics technologies such as Redis, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Apache Druid or similar OLAP systems.
- Hands‑on experience with AI‑assisted development tools (GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code, Gemini, or similar) and familiarity with LLM APIs and responsible AI practices in production.
- Strong knowledge of HTTP security; experience with web security — URL classification, content filtering, or threat intelligence — is highly desirable.
- Experience with FedRAMP, SOC 2, or FIPS 140‑2/140‑3 compliance frameworks is a plus.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proactive, self‑directed, and rigorous with documentation and detail.
- B.S. in Computer Science or related field required; M.S. preferred.
Why Menlo?
Our culture is collaborative, inclusive, and fun! We have five core values: Stay Aligned, Get It Done, Customer Empathy, Think Creatively and Help Each Other Out. We believe in open communication, supporting new ideas, and sharing a mutual mindset of what we’re aiming to achieve together. There are tremendous opportunities to take initiative, implement new ideas, and have a hand in building a legacy.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.
Principal Engineer I in Bracknell employer: Menlo Security Inc.
Menlo Security is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where employees are encouraged to take initiative and contribute to meaningful projects in the cybersecurity space. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, team members have ample opportunities to mentor others, lead innovative initiatives, and leverage cutting-edge AI technologies, all while working alongside some of the largest enterprises globally. Located in a dynamic environment, Menlo Security not only prioritises employee well-being but also champions open communication and creative thinking, making it a truly rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer I in Bracknell
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including Menlo Security Inc., love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through Menlo Security Inc.
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Menlo Security Inc.. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer I in Bracknell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at Menlo Security Inc. insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to Menlo Security Inc. that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Menlo Security Inc.
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at Menlo Security Inc. to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at Menlo Security Inc..
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.
