Director of SSE & SASE Engineering

Versa Networks • Santa Clara, CA

27d • $250,000 - $350,000

About The Position

At Versa Networks, we're revolutionizing the way businesses connect, secure, and optimize their networks. Our mission is to secure anywhere, anytime access to anything. As a leader in Secure SD-WAN, SSE (Secure Service Edge), SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) and Next-generation Managed Services, we are empowering organizations across the globe to transform their IT infrastructure for the modern cloud era. Our innovative products enable enterprises to deliver a seamless, scalable, and secure digital experience, no matter where their users, devices, or applications are located. Founded by industry veterans and backed by premier venture capital firms, Versa is a market leader driving innovation and growth as it positions itself for a future IPO. We believe in fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and customer success. Our team is comprised of passionate, forward-thinking professionals dedicated to driving the future of networking technology. We encourage creativity, offer opportunities for growth, and provide a dynamic environment where our people can thrive and make an impact. At Versa Networks, we don’t just build products – we build relationships, elevate businesses, and shape the digital future. Join us and be part of a fast-paced, cutting-edge company that's making a real difference in how the world connects and communicates. We are expanding our leadership team to accelerate the development of our SSE (Security Service Edge) offerings. This role will be at the forefront of driving innovation across cloud-delivered security services, AI-powered threat defense, and user-to-app protection at scale. We are looking for a seasoned and strategic engineering leader to drive the design, development, and delivery of Versa’s cloud-native SSE and SASE solutions. This role will own critical security capabilities including SWG, ZTNA, CASB, DLP, DNS Security, and XDR—delivered through a scalable microservices architecture and powered by AI/ML. You will lead distributed engineering teams focused on innovation, operational excellence, and customer outcomes. This is a high-impact role requiring deep technical knowledge, strong leadership, and a product-first mindset.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in security, networking, or cloud infrastructure; 5+ years in engineering leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in delivering SSE/SASE capabilities including SWG, ZTNA, DNS Security, CASB, DLP, and/or XDR at scale.
• Deep understanding of modern security protocols and frameworks (TLS/SSL, DNS, OAuth, SAML, GRE, RADIUS, Diameter).
• Hands-on experience with scalable SaaS architectures using Kubernetes, microservices, and public cloud (AWS preferred).
• Strong foundation in AI/ML as applied to security analytics, threat modeling, and operational telemetry.
• Proficient in Go, Python, C/C++, and familiar with CI/CD pipelines and secure software development practices.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, drive outcomes across time zones, and operate with a customer-first mindset.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Prior experience in high-growth networking or security product companies; experience with integration post-acquisition is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end engineering for key SSE components—SWG, CASB, ZTNA, DLP, and XDR—within Versa’s cloud-native SASE platform.
• Drive architectural direction for secure, scalable, and highly available SaaS services (achieving 99.999% uptime), optimized for cost and performance in public cloud environments (AWS/Kubernetes).
• Champion the integration of AI/ML-driven insights into Versa’s threat defense layer—enabling asset-based policy enforcement, anomaly detection, AIOps observability, and intelligent risk mitigation.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, DevOps, SRE, and Security Architecture teams to deliver new capabilities aligned with customer needs and go-to-market strategy.
• Recruit, develop, and retain world-class engineering talent across multiple geographies; scale teams, systems, and processes for rapid growth.
• Partner with customers and field teams to drive deployment success, accelerate time-to-value, and improve the end-user experience across endpoint and edge scenarios.
• Guide integration with third-party technologies (e.g., RBI, Malware Sandboxing, CASB, DLP vendors), and support roadmap execution through both organic and acquired innovation.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary & Incentives: We offer a competitive compensation package with and pre-IPO equity to reward your hard work and dedication.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to ensure you and your family stay healthy and covered.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Enjoy a generous PTO policy that includes vacation days, sick leave, and paid holidays to recharge and take care of personal matters.
• Flexible Work Environment: We understand the importance of work-life balance. Enjoy the flexibility of remote work, and hybrid option to create the work schedule that works best for you.
• Professional Development: We believe in continuous learning. Access to training, certifications, and educational resources to help you grow in your career and stay ahead of industry trends.
• Employee Recognition: We celebrate achievements both big and small, with regular recognition programs and awards that highlight your contributions to our collective success.
• Collaborative Culture: Be part of a dynamic, inclusive, and supportive team where innovation and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.
• Parental Leave: Generous parental leave policies to support you during life's important moments.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees