Staff Detection & Response Engineer

Okta•Vancouver, BC

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Identity is the key to unlocking the potential of AI. Okta secures AI by building the trusted, neutral infrastructure that enables organizations to safely embrace this new era. This work requires a relentless drive to solve complex challenges with real-world stakes. We are looking for builders and owners who operate with speed and urgency and execute with excellence. This is an opportunity to do career-defining work. We're all in on this mission. If you are too, let's talk. As a Staff Detection & Response Engineer at Okta, 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.

Requirements

You have a deep understanding of threat actor TTPs and can navigate complex systems even when documentation is sparse.
You can translate complex technical problems for any audience, from executive leadership to junior analysts.
You have a "bottom-line" orientation, persisting through obstacles and setbacks to achieve results.
You proactively seek feedback, know your limits, and lead with empathy and compassion.
You prioritize the development of others and establish internal and external networks of coaches and mentors.
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.

Responsibilities

Lead complex, hypothesis-driven threat hunts based on vague intelligence, and develop refined methodologies for the broader team to follow.
Write novel detections and solve complex querying challenges. You will establish the frameworks and standards for detection engineering across the entire security organization.
Design and validate the effectiveness of preventative control chains and influence the selection and architecture of new security solutions.
Serve as the technical lead for major incidents, including investigating threats in "foreign" or uncommon environments by leveraging frameworks and your professional network.
Be available in a crisis out of (your business) hours, and as a thought leader, to interface with colleagues globally.
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.
Navigate issues of diverse scope, analyzing data against current business trends to provide innovative solutions.
Secure resources for and drive innovation initiatives across multiple teams, facilitating cross-functional workshops to generate new security solutions.
Foster an inclusive, collaborative environment by sharing wins, rewarding team efforts, and encouraging diverse perspectives.
Act as an advisor to junior colleagues, providing actionable feedback and helping others align their career goals with organizational objectives.
Drive consensus and resolve issues within cross-functional teams, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned on security priorities.