Dune Security
Base pay range
$150,000.00/yr - $190,000.00/yr
Additional compensation types Annual Bonus and Stock options
Company Overview Dune Security’s User Adaptive Risk Management solution proactively prevents insider threats and social engineering by simulating multi-channel attacks, scoring user risk, and adapting training and controls in real time. Powered by AI, we quantify employee risk with comprehensive data and automatically deliver user‑adaptive training and intervention. For higher‑risk users, our platform integrates seamlessly with the broader security stack to dynamically implement controls. Backed by Craft Ventures, Toba Capital, Alumni Ventures, Firestreak Ventures, and Antler, we empower CISOs to proactively manage human risk—the leading cause of cybersecurity breaches—and build safer, more resilient organizations.
Role Overview We are seeking an exceptional Director of Software Engineering to lead the development and execution of our engineering strategy while remaining deeply involved in the design and delivery of scalable, high-performance systems. This is a unique opportunity to lead a high‑impact engineering function at an early stage, venture‑backed cybersecurity startup tackling one of the most pressing problems in the enterprise: human risk.
As a leader at Dune, you will define our architectural direction, grow and mentor a high‑performing engineering team, and work cross‑functionally to ensure our technical execution aligns tightly with business goals. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping our platform, driving product velocity, and embedding security into every layer of our technology stack.
This role will manage both backend engineers and full stack/platform engineers, requiring strong backend expertise alongside working knowledge of frontend technologies. The right candidate will bring a balanced perspective, capable of guiding both deep backend system design and frontend architecture for modern, scalable web applications.
Key Responsibilities Engineering Leadership
Define and drive the engineering vision, strategy, and roadmap in alignment with company objectives.
Lead architecture and implementation for a cloud‑native, secure, scalable SaaS platform.
Foster a high‑performing, collaborative engineering culture rooted in ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Build and mentor a diverse team of backend and full stack/frontend engineers, setting clear expectations, career growth paths, and performance standards.
Champion technical innovation and experimentation to maintain a competitive edge in AI‑powered cybersecurity.
Architecture & Technical Execution
Architect and implement scalable systems using Go, Python (Django), and cloud‑native infrastructure (AWS).
Oversee database design for both relational (PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB), ensuring reliability and performance at scale.
Drive system reliability, observability, and performance optimization using modern DevOps practices and tools (Docker, GitLab, Terraform, CI/CD).
Enforce security best practices at every layer—auth/auth (OAuth 2.0, JWT, SAML/SCIM), secure coding, and DevSecOps integration.
Ensure infrastructure is robust, elastic, and cost‑effective using services like EC2, Lambda, RDS, S3, CloudFront, and CloudWatch.
Frontend & Full Stack Engineering
Build reusable and scalable components using React and Next.js.
Create data visualizations using Chart.js, Recharts, or similar libraries to drive actionable insights.
Implement pixel‑perfect, responsive UIs using Tailwind CSS and modern design systems.
Integrate frontend applications with RESTful APIs and ensure secure authentication with OAuth 2.0 and JWT.
Write comprehensive unit and integration tests using Jest and CI‑integrated frameworks.
Design and maintain robust backend services using Python (Django) and Go, with a strong focus on security, performance, and scalability.
Develop and optimize PostgreSQL and MongoDB database schemas to support complex data models.
Build and expose secure API endpoints, ensuring best practices in API design and performance optimization.
Implement authentication and authorization flows using OAuth 2.0, JWT, and SAML/SCIM.
Deploy and manage services across AWS (EC2, Lambda, RDS, S3, CloudFront, API Gateway, SQS) with cost efficiency and resilience in mind.
Automate CI/CD workflows with Docker, GitLab and infrastructure‑as‑code tools like Terraform, CloudFormation, or Ansible.
Monitor system performance, proactively address bottlenecks, and manage deployments with zero downtime.
Use advanced Unix/Linux terminal skills for debugging and system optimization.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Product, Design, and GTM teams to define priorities, estimate delivery timelines, and bring product features to life.
Partner with executive leadership to align engineering goals with business strategy and communicate progress with clarity.
Process Optimization
Standardize and improve engineering processes to support agile, high‑velocity development cycles.
Implement systems for high‑quality code review, release management, incident response, and technical documentation.
Partner closely with product, design, and other engineers to deliver end‑to‑end features in an agile environment.
Mentor junior engineers and participate in code reviews and architectural discussions.
Stay current with emerging technologies to improve engineering velocity and platform robustness.
Qualifications Required
8+ years of experience in software engineering with at least 4 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director of Engineering, Head of Engineering, or CTO) at a high‑growth startup or enterprise software company.
Expert‑level backend development experience with Python (Django) and production‑grade use of Go.
Deep familiarity with AWS services including EC2, Lambda, RDS, S3, CloudFront, Secrets Manager, API Gateway, etc.
Proven experience designing and deploying secure, distributed systems at scale in cloud environments.
Strong DevOps and automation background (Docker, GitLab CI/CD, Terraform, CloudFormation).
Fluency in modern authentication and security protocols (OAuth 2.0, JWT, SAML/SCIM).
Experience building or leading frontend or full stack teams using React and Material UI.
Experience integrating or building data visualization tools (e.g., Recharts, D3.js) is a bonus.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
BS in Computer Science or related field (MS preferred).
What You’ll Bring
Leadership Skills : Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead initiatives within cross‑functional teams.
Technical Depth : Strong technical foundation, with an ability to dive deep into architectural decisions and influence product development.
Adaptability : Thrives in an agile environment, balancing multiple priorities with ease while delivering high‑quality outcomes.
Passion for Cybersecurity : Genuine enthusiasm for building solutions that address human risks and empower organizations to improve their security posture.
Why Join Dune Security?
High‑growth cybersecurity startup backed by leading investors.
Opportunity to build and scale a critical engineering function with direct impact on the company’s success.
Exposure to senior leadership and close partnership with product and design teams.
Competitive salary, meaningful equity package, and comprehensive benefits.
Mission‑driven work that helps enterprises protect against today’s most pressing cybersecurity threats.
Location : NYC. Candidates should reside within a commutable distance of our Soho, Manhattan office.
Hours : Full time.
Note:
Dune Security is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full‑time
Industries Software Development and Computer and Network Security
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Additional compensation types Annual Bonus and Stock options
Company Overview Dune Security’s User Adaptive Risk Management solution proactively prevents insider threats and social engineering by simulating multi-channel attacks, scoring user risk, and adapting training and controls in real time. Powered by AI, we quantify employee risk with comprehensive data and automatically deliver user‑adaptive training and intervention. For higher‑risk users, our platform integrates seamlessly with the broader security stack to dynamically implement controls. Backed by Craft Ventures, Toba Capital, Alumni Ventures, Firestreak Ventures, and Antler, we empower CISOs to proactively manage human risk—the leading cause of cybersecurity breaches—and build safer, more resilient organizations.
Role Overview We are seeking an exceptional Director of Software Engineering to lead the development and execution of our engineering strategy while remaining deeply involved in the design and delivery of scalable, high-performance systems. This is a unique opportunity to lead a high‑impact engineering function at an early stage, venture‑backed cybersecurity startup tackling one of the most pressing problems in the enterprise: human risk.
As a leader at Dune, you will define our architectural direction, grow and mentor a high‑performing engineering team, and work cross‑functionally to ensure our technical execution aligns tightly with business goals. You'll play a pivotal role in shaping our platform, driving product velocity, and embedding security into every layer of our technology stack.
This role will manage both backend engineers and full stack/platform engineers, requiring strong backend expertise alongside working knowledge of frontend technologies. The right candidate will bring a balanced perspective, capable of guiding both deep backend system design and frontend architecture for modern, scalable web applications.
Key Responsibilities Engineering Leadership
Define and drive the engineering vision, strategy, and roadmap in alignment with company objectives.
Lead architecture and implementation for a cloud‑native, secure, scalable SaaS platform.
Foster a high‑performing, collaborative engineering culture rooted in ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Build and mentor a diverse team of backend and full stack/frontend engineers, setting clear expectations, career growth paths, and performance standards.
Champion technical innovation and experimentation to maintain a competitive edge in AI‑powered cybersecurity.
Architecture & Technical Execution
Architect and implement scalable systems using Go, Python (Django), and cloud‑native infrastructure (AWS).
Oversee database design for both relational (PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB), ensuring reliability and performance at scale.
Drive system reliability, observability, and performance optimization using modern DevOps practices and tools (Docker, GitLab, Terraform, CI/CD).
Enforce security best practices at every layer—auth/auth (OAuth 2.0, JWT, SAML/SCIM), secure coding, and DevSecOps integration.
Ensure infrastructure is robust, elastic, and cost‑effective using services like EC2, Lambda, RDS, S3, CloudFront, and CloudWatch.
Frontend & Full Stack Engineering
Build reusable and scalable components using React and Next.js.
Create data visualizations using Chart.js, Recharts, or similar libraries to drive actionable insights.
Implement pixel‑perfect, responsive UIs using Tailwind CSS and modern design systems.
Integrate frontend applications with RESTful APIs and ensure secure authentication with OAuth 2.0 and JWT.
Write comprehensive unit and integration tests using Jest and CI‑integrated frameworks.
Design and maintain robust backend services using Python (Django) and Go, with a strong focus on security, performance, and scalability.
Develop and optimize PostgreSQL and MongoDB database schemas to support complex data models.
Build and expose secure API endpoints, ensuring best practices in API design and performance optimization.
Implement authentication and authorization flows using OAuth 2.0, JWT, and SAML/SCIM.
Deploy and manage services across AWS (EC2, Lambda, RDS, S3, CloudFront, API Gateway, SQS) with cost efficiency and resilience in mind.
Automate CI/CD workflows with Docker, GitLab and infrastructure‑as‑code tools like Terraform, CloudFormation, or Ansible.
Monitor system performance, proactively address bottlenecks, and manage deployments with zero downtime.
Use advanced Unix/Linux terminal skills for debugging and system optimization.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Product, Design, and GTM teams to define priorities, estimate delivery timelines, and bring product features to life.
Partner with executive leadership to align engineering goals with business strategy and communicate progress with clarity.
Process Optimization
Standardize and improve engineering processes to support agile, high‑velocity development cycles.
Implement systems for high‑quality code review, release management, incident response, and technical documentation.
Partner closely with product, design, and other engineers to deliver end‑to‑end features in an agile environment.
Mentor junior engineers and participate in code reviews and architectural discussions.
Stay current with emerging technologies to improve engineering velocity and platform robustness.
Qualifications Required
8+ years of experience in software engineering with at least 4 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director of Engineering, Head of Engineering, or CTO) at a high‑growth startup or enterprise software company.
Expert‑level backend development experience with Python (Django) and production‑grade use of Go.
Deep familiarity with AWS services including EC2, Lambda, RDS, S3, CloudFront, Secrets Manager, API Gateway, etc.
Proven experience designing and deploying secure, distributed systems at scale in cloud environments.
Strong DevOps and automation background (Docker, GitLab CI/CD, Terraform, CloudFormation).
Fluency in modern authentication and security protocols (OAuth 2.0, JWT, SAML/SCIM).
Experience building or leading frontend or full stack teams using React and Material UI.
Experience integrating or building data visualization tools (e.g., Recharts, D3.js) is a bonus.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
BS in Computer Science or related field (MS preferred).
What You’ll Bring
Leadership Skills : Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead initiatives within cross‑functional teams.
Technical Depth : Strong technical foundation, with an ability to dive deep into architectural decisions and influence product development.
Adaptability : Thrives in an agile environment, balancing multiple priorities with ease while delivering high‑quality outcomes.
Passion for Cybersecurity : Genuine enthusiasm for building solutions that address human risks and empower organizations to improve their security posture.
Why Join Dune Security?
High‑growth cybersecurity startup backed by leading investors.
Opportunity to build and scale a critical engineering function with direct impact on the company’s success.
Exposure to senior leadership and close partnership with product and design teams.
Competitive salary, meaningful equity package, and comprehensive benefits.
Mission‑driven work that helps enterprises protect against today’s most pressing cybersecurity threats.
Location : NYC. Candidates should reside within a commutable distance of our Soho, Manhattan office.
Hours : Full time.
Note:
Dune Security is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full‑time
Industries Software Development and Computer and Network Security
#J-18808-Ljbffr