Staff Detection & Response Engineer

A powerful mission to secure every identity, whether human or AI, is at the heart of Okta. We build a trusted, neutral infrastructure that enables organizations to safely embrace this new era. This role requires a relentless drive to solve complex challenges with real‑world stakes, operating with speed and urgency while executing with excellence.

About the Role

As a Staff Detection & Response Engineer, you will occupy a high‑impact leadership role within our Security Operations organization. This is not just a technical role; it is a strategic one. You will influence security decisions across multiple teams, drive innovation in our defense‑in‑depth strategies, and act as a force multiplier for our global security posture.

You will be responsible for leading complex threat hunts, managing major security incidents, and architecting the detection frameworks that protect Okta’s infrastructure and customers. You will serve as a bridge between executive leadership and technical teams, ensuring our security objectives align with broader business trends and strategic goals.

What You’ll Do

Technical Leadership & Innovation

• Threat Hunting: Lead complex, hypothesis‑driven threat hunts based on vague intelligence, and develop refined methodologies for the broader team to follow.
• Detection Engineering: Write novel detections and solve complex querying challenges. Establish frameworks and standards for detection engineering across the entire security organization.
• Architectural Influence: Design and validate the effectiveness of preventative control chains and influence the selection and architecture of new security solutions.
• Incident Response: Serve as the technical lead for major incidents, including investigating threats in foreign or uncommon environments by leveraging frameworks and your professional network.

Strategic Execution

• Project Ownership: Own multi‑quarter objectives and drive them to success, developing project plans that align with Okta’s strategic VMTs (Vision, Metrics, and Targets) and budget.
• Problem Solving: Navigate issues of diverse scope, analyzing data against current business trends to provide innovative solutions.
• Innovation: Secure resources for and drive innovation initiatives across multiple teams, facilitating cross‑functional workshops to generate new security solutions.

Team Advocacy & Mentorship

• Culture Building: Foster an inclusive, collaborative environment by sharing wins, rewarding team efforts, and encouraging diverse perspectives.
• Mentorship: Act as an advisor to junior colleagues, providing actionable feedback and helping others align their career goals with organizational objectives.
• Consensus Driving: Drive consensus and resolve issues within cross‑functional teams, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned on security priorities.

Who You Are

• Expert Investigator: Deep understanding of threat actor TTPs and ability to navigate complex systems even when documentation is sparse.
• Effective Communicator: Translate complex technical problems for any audience, from executive leadership to junior analysts.
• Resilient Leader: Bottom‑line orientation, persisting through obstacles and setbacks to achieve results.
• Self‑Aware & Empathetic: Proactively seek feedback, know your limits, and lead with empathy and compassion.
• Collaboratively Minded: Prioritize development of others and establish internal and external networks of coaches and mentors.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a high‑growth SaaS or security‑focused environment.
• Expertise in querying languages, detection frameworks (e.g., MITRE ATT&CK), and modern IR toolsets.
• Experience managing communications during crises or major security incidents.
• Demonstrated ability to lead project teams and manage budget/resource requirements.
• Strong background in automating response workflows and refining preventative controls.

Why Okta? Okta is the World’s Identity Company. We are building a world where anyone can safely use any technology. As a Staff Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that vision remains a reality.

Salary and Benefits (Canada)

The annual base salary range for this position for candidates located in Canada is between $141,000 CAD and $193,000 CAD. Your actual salary will depend on factors such as your skills, qualifications, and experience.

Okta offers equity (where applicable), bonus, and benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, RRSP with a match, healthcare spending, telemedicine, and paid leave (including PTO and parental leave) in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. Learn more about our Total Rewards program at

Okta Experience

• Supporting Your Well‑Being
• Driving Social Impact
• Developing Talent and Fostering Connection + Community

We are intentional about connection. Our global community, spanning over 20 offices worldwide, is united by a drive to innovate. Your journey begins with an immersive, in‑person onboarding experience designed to accelerate your impact and connect you to our mission and team from day one.

Okta is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, or status as a protected veteran. We also consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and convictions records, consistent with applicable laws.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to complete any part of the job application, interview process, or onboarding please use this Form to request an accommodation.

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