Staff Software Engineer - AI Agents (Satori)

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. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

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

Proofpoint is hiring a Staff Software Engineer on Satori, our enterprise AI agent platform driving the future of autonomous security operations. Satori delivers security outcomes by orchestrating capabilities across the entire Proofpoint product portfolio and external partners. This is a uniquely‑challenging role: we empower small teams to deliver robust results, the systems are non‑deterministic, and the bar is high. The opportunity for transformational impact is significant. If this excites you, we want you on our team.

Responsibilities

In this application engineering role, you will drive the architecture of the Satori platform as it rapidly scales. Your direct users are fellow product engineers who protect business‑critical communications for Fortune 100 customers 24/7/365. You will design the agent runtimes and SDKs product teams build on, and define what "release-ready" means at Proofpoint: the eval suites, safety checks, telemetry, and AuthX that gate every rollout. The primitives you set — from prompt management to observability — will shape how mission‑critical agentic software ships across the company. You will partner with product tech leads to turn one‑off integrations into reusable platform capabilities, and like every Staff engineer here, you will be responsible for shipping code and owning production‑grade services.

What You Bring to the Team

• Able to work on‑site four days per week at our Belfast office
• Extensive experience designing, developing, and supporting applications in a microservices cloud environment.
• Personal interest in AI agents — you tinker with agent frameworks or LLM SDKs (LangGraph, OpenAI/Anthropic Agents SDK, MCP, LangChain, or similar) and keep up with the field.
• Prior experience taking agentic or LLM‑based systems to production — not just prototypes — including the eval, observability, and rollback story.
• Deep experience with Python; TypeScript/Node a plus.
• Hands‑on work with agent frameworks and eval tooling.
• Track record of debugging distributed systems from traces; experience with OpenTelemetry’s GenAI semantic conventions a plus.
• Cloud‑native development, automating deployments, familiarity with container systems; AWS experience a plus.
• Excellent time management skills, comfortable coordinating work with colleagues in the US and around the globe.
• Excellent communication and leadership — driving architectural conversations across teams, managing stakeholders, and mentoring engineers.
• A proactive "get it done" attitude and willingness to move forward through uncertainty.
• Readiness to participate in on‑call rotation during times coordinated with US‑based colleagues.
• BSc or MSc in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent experience.

Beneficial Experience

• Experience with AI‑driven development (e.g. Claude Code, Codex) and agentic communication protocols (e.g. A2A, MCP) preferred.
• Large scale event processing a plus but not required.

Why Proofpoint?

At Proofpoint, we believe that an exceptional career experience includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Here are just a few reasons you’ll love working with us:

• 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.

Our BRAVE Values

At Proofpoint, we are BRAVE in everything we do, and our values aren’t just words—they shape how we work, collaborate, and grow. We seek people who are bold enough to challenge the status quo, responsive in the face of ever‑evolving threats, and accountable for delivering real impact. We value those with a visionary mindset who anticipate what’s next and push cybersecurity forward, and we celebrate exceptional execution that ensures we continue to defend data and protect people.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Join Our Mission

We know that work is simply better when you’re surrounded by people who inspire you, 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.