At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and maintain cutting-edge microservices, tackling complex problems head-on.
- Company: Join Proofpoint, a leader in human-centric cybersecurity with a mission to protect data.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work, wellness days, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Collaborate globally and thrive in a culture that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while growing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in Java, Go, and Python with strong problem-solving abilities.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
About Us
Proofpoint is a global leader in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity. We protect how people, data, and AI agents connect across email, cloud, and collaboration tools. Over 80 of the Fortune 100, 10,000 large enterprises, and millions of smaller organizations trust Proofpoint to stop threats, prevent data loss, and build resilience across their people and AI workflows. Our mission is simple: safeguard the digital world and empower people to work securely and confidently.
How We Work
At Proofpoint you’ll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity guided by our BRAVE core values:
- Bold in how we dream and innovate
- Responsive to feedback, challenges and opportunities
- Accountable for results and best in class outcomes
- Visionary in future focused problem-solving
- Exceptional in execution and impact
The Role
We're looking for a Sr. Software Engineer to join our team and help build, scale, and maintain the systems powering our platform. You'll work across a large, complex micro-services architecture. This role is for someone who enjoys digging into hard problems, isn't afraid of ambiguity, and wants to keep pushing their own skills forward.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and maintain services across our micro-service ecosystem
- Debug complex, cross-service issues — you'll need to dig deep, trace root causes, and see problems through to resolution
- Participate in an on-call rotation, responding to and resolving production issues
- Collaborate closely with teammates, clearly communicating technical trade-offs, decisions, and progress
- Navigate ambiguous problems and evolving requirements, helping bring clarity and direction to the team
- Use AI-First and AI-assisted development tools where practical to improve velocity and quality
- Take on unglamorous but necessary work when the team needs it — tech debt, infra-migrations
- Continuously look for ways to innovate and improve how the team builds and operates software
What You Bring to the Team
- Proven software engineering experience with a level of seniority
- Proficiency in Java, Go, and Python
- Strong debugging and problem-solving skills — comfortable tracing issues through complex, distributed systems
- Experience with (or strong aptitude for) large-scale microservice architectures
- Comfortable with on-call responsibilities
- Openness to AI-first development practices and tools
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, team-first mindset
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous situations without needing every requirement fully spelled out
- A self-starter mentality — willing to challenge yourself, take initiative, and step up wherever the team needs help, including on less glamorous work
- BSc Degree in Computer Science or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)
Why Proofpoint?
At Proofpoint, we believe that an exceptional career experience includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package.
- Competitive compensation
- Comprehensive benefits
- Career success on your terms
- Flexible work environment
- Annual wellness and community outreach days
- Always on recognition for your contributions
- Global collaboration and networking opportunities
Our Culture
Our culture is rooted in values that inspire belonging, empower purpose and drive success-every day, for everyone. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please reach out to accessibility@proofpoint.com. Proofpoint is an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.
Find your network, your allies, and your biggest fans. We know that work is simply better when you’re surrounded by people who inspire you—who share ideas, cheer you on, and genuinely want to see you succeed. That’s why we offer social circles, sponsored networks, and connection points across teams and time zones—to help you find your people, build your community, and thrive together. This isn’t just a job—it’s a mission to protect people and defend data in a world that never slows down. We’re building the future of human-centric cybersecurity, and that future belongs to all of us. We take ownership, move fast, and hold ourselves accountable—because that’s what it takes to stay ahead. And we do it together, winning as one. Be empowered to reach your full potential through meaningful challenges and personalized support—designed around you and your goals. Whether you're growing as a leader or leveling up from great to exceptional as an individual contributor, we’re here to help you get there.
Sr. Software Engineer (Java, Go) employer: Proofpoint
At Proofpoint, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our Benelux team is dedicated to employee growth, offering extensive training and development opportunities while working in a dynamic environment that values diversity and inclusion. With competitive benefits and a focus on meaningful work, joining us means becoming part of a mission-driven company committed to protecting organisations from advanced threats.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sr. Software Engineer (Java, Go)
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Proofpoint or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Proofpoint.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Proofpoint.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Proofpoint that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Sr. Software Engineer (Java, Go)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Proofpoint.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Proofpoint and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Proofpoint
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Proofpoint uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
