Staff Software Engineer - Authentication & Identity

Perplexity AI (Headquarters: SF, NYC, London)

Staff Engineer Authentication Identity Security OAuth 2.0 JWT OpenID Connect Next.js NextAuth.js JavaScript TypeScript React AWS PostgreSQL Distributed Systems High Scale Performance Go Python SSO SCIM SAML RBAC Back End Engineer Staff Engineer Cyber Security

Company: Perplexity AI
Location: New York Metro Area / San Francisco Bay Area

About Perplexity AI:
At Perplexity, we've experienced tremendous growth and adoption since publicly launching the world's first fully functional conversational answer engine in 2022. We've grown from answering 2.5 million questions per day at the start of 2024 to around 20 million daily queries in December 2024. We also offer Perplexity Enterprise Pro, which counts leading companies like Nvidia, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bridgewater, and Zoom as customers. To support our rapid expansion, we've raised significant funding from respected technology investors like IVP, NEA, Jeff Bezos, NVIDIA, Databricks, Bessemer Venture Partners, and many visionary individuals.

Role Overview:
Perplexity is seeking a Staff Authentication & Identity Engineer to join our innovative team revolutionizing internet search and interaction. You’ll tackle distributed, high-scale challenges while ensuring seamless user experiences for millions of daily queries. Your work will directly support our mission to revolutionize secure, scalable access management for enterprise customers and individual users alike.

Responsibilities:
- Design and build robust authentication systems for Next.js-based web applications, ensuring low-latency performance at scale.
- Architect secure, modern authentication flows using OAuth 2.0, JWT, and passwordless/email providers.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with frontend, backend, security, and mobile teams to unify authentication across platforms.
- Evolve access control systems, including role-based permissions and ACLs for customer-specific resource management.
- Optimize authentication performance and reliability while maintaining strict security standards.
- Own critical components of our authentication stack, from prototyping to production deployment.

Qualifications:
- 7+ years of web development experience, including 3+ years building authentication systems.
- Expertise in JavaScript/TypeScript, React, Next.js, and NextAuth.js.
- Deep knowledge of OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, and modern security protocols.
- Experience designing high-scale architectures (100k+ requests/sec) with cloud platforms like AWS.
- Proficiency with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL) for auth-related data.
- Strong problem-solving skills and commitment to code simplicity/performance.

Nice to haves:
- Experience with distributed systems or Go/Python backend development.
- Familiarity with enterprise auth standards (SSO, SCIM, SAML).
- Background in role-based access control (RBAC) for large user bases.
- Mobile authentication implementation experience.

Compensation & Benefits:
- Cash compensation range: $250,000 - $300,000 (Final offer amounts determined by multiple factors including experience and expertise).
- Equity may be part of the total compensation package.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents. Includes a 401(k) plan.