Staff Engineer Jobs in San Mateo, CA
Staff Engineer jobs in San Mateo are concentrated in the downtown core, the Hillsdale corridor, and the Bay Meadows mixed-use district, with the strongest demand coming from technology, financial services, and healthcare companies. Employers hiring right now include Shield AI, Verkada, and Okta. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 1,454+ Staff Engineer jobs
Secure Every Identity, from AI to Human
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.
The TDI Client Platform Engineering Team
The Technology, Data, and Insights (TDI) team is on a mission to accelerate Okta's scale. We are a group of innovative engineers who prioritize automation, testing, and performance tuning. We touch every part of the business, and we are obsessed with creating a seamless, secure end-user experience for every Okta employee.
The Staff Client Platform Engineer Opportunity
As a Staff Client Platform Engineer, you will be the subject matter expert for Okta's macOS and iOS fleet. While your primary focus is the Apple ecosystem, you will also play a key role in our broader endpoint strategy, contributing to our Windows, Android, Linux, and VDI management workflows as needed. This is an ideal path for an engineer who wants to maintain deep Apple expertise while expanding their influence across the entire OS landscape.
We are looking for a versatile engineer who thinks automation-first. You will combine Jamf Pro expertise with open-source tools like Munki and Santa, while helping to bridge the gap between platforms using unified tools like FleetDM.
What makes this role unique: You are Customer Zero. Because we build identity and device management products, you will work directly with Okta's own Product and Engineering teams to validate new capabilities across platforms, surface real-world feedback, and help shape the roadmap for tools used by millions of people globally.
This role reports to the Senior Manager of Client Platform Engineering.
What You'll Be Doing
- Apple Fleet Management: Own the global macOS and iOS fleet using Jamf Pro, overseeing enrollment, configuration profiles, and application deployment.
- Cross-Platform Support: Contribute to the management and security of Windows (via Intune/Autopilot) and Linux endpoints as the program evolves, ensuring a consistent security posture across all OS types.
- Tooling & Evolution: Administer open-source tools (Munki, Santa) and lead evaluations of emerging platforms like FleetDM to enhance cross-platform fleet visibility.
- Security & Compliance: Ensure endpoints meet NIST, CIS, and STIG standards. Partner with Security teams to respond to vulnerabilities across the entire fleet.
- Engineering & Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Apply an IaC mindset to device management using code-based workflows (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, or Jamf API). Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines to ensure repeatable, scalable, and automated deployments regardless of the OS.
- Technical Direction: Set the architecture and technical direction for a domain, such as Apple platform, endpoint security tooling or devices-as-code, and write design or docs that formalize it.
- Customer Zero Advocacy: Act as a primary feedback loop for Okta's internal product teams. Test new features in production and influence the product roadmap based on operational data.
- Operational Excellence: Provide Tier 3 escalation support for global IT teams and participate in an on-call rotation.
What You'll Bring
- Core Experience: 8+ years in endpoint engineering with a focus on Apple platforms at enterprise scale.
- Technical Versatility: A strong understanding of Windows and Linux operating systems; you aren't just a "Mac person", you understand how to apply engineering principles to any OS.
- MDM Mastery: Deep expertise in managing endpoints at scale via MDM, such as Jamf Pro. Familiarity with Microsoft Intune, FleetDM or other cross-platform MDM/UEM solutions is a significant plus.
- Scripting: Proficiency in Bash, Python, Go, or Swift (PowerShell experience is a bonus).
- Tooling: Experience with Git, GitHub Actions, Terraform, or similar CI/CD frameworks.
- Security: Understanding of ADE/DEP, MDM/DDM protocols, and platform-specific hardening (e.g., BitLocker, FileVault, LUKS).
- Identity Knowledge: Familiarity with SAML and OIDC and how they integrate with endpoint authentication.
Additional requirements:
- This position requires the ability to access federal environments and/or have access to protected federal data. As a condition of employment for this position, the successful candidate must be able to submit documentation establishing U.S. Person status (e.g. a U.S. Citizen, National, Lawful Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee. 22 CFR 120.15) upon hire.
Extra Credit
- Hands-on experience with FleetDM or osquery for multi-OS visibility.
- Experience with Autopkg pipelines or AWS Lambda for endpoint automation.
- Background in Federal compliance (FedRAMP).
- Relevant certifications (Apple, Okta, Microsoft, AWS, Jamf).
Location & Work Style
This is a hybrid role. Candidates must be located near an Okta office. In the San Francisco Bay Area, employees are expected to be in-office a minimum of 2 days per week.
#P2763
The 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.
Notice for New York City Applicants & Employees: Okta may use Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT), as defined by New York City Local Law 144, that use artificial intelligence, machine learning, or other automated processes to assist in our recruitment and hiring process. In accordance with NYC Local Law 144, if you are an applicant or employee residing in New York City, please click here to view our full NYC AEDT Notice.
Secure Every Identity, from AI to Human
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.
The TDI Client Platform Engineering Team
The Technology, Data, and Insights (TDI) team is on a mission to accelerate Okta's scale. We are a group of innovative engineers who prioritize automation, testing, and performance tuning. We touch every part of the business, and we are obsessed with creating a seamless, secure end-user experience for every Okta employee.
The Staff Client Platform Engineer Opportunity
As a Staff Client Platform Engineer, you will be the subject matter expert for Okta's macOS and iOS fleet. While your primary focus is the Apple ecosystem, you will also play a key role in our broader endpoint strategy, contributing to our Windows, Android, Linux, and VDI management workflows as needed. This is an ideal path for an engineer who wants to maintain deep Apple expertise while expanding their influence across the entire OS landscape.
We are looking for a versatile engineer who thinks automation-first. You will combine Jamf Pro expertise with open-source tools like Munki and Santa, while helping to bridge the gap between platforms using unified tools like FleetDM.
What makes this role unique: You are Customer Zero. Because we build identity and device management products, you will work directly with Okta's own Product and Engineering teams to validate new capabilities across platforms, surface real-world feedback, and help shape the roadmap for tools used by millions of people globally.
This role reports to the Senior Manager of Client Platform Engineering.
What You'll Be Doing
- Apple Fleet Management: Own the global macOS and iOS fleet using Jamf Pro, overseeing enrollment, configuration profiles, and application deployment.
- Cross-Platform Support: Contribute to the management and security of Windows (via Intune/Autopilot) and Linux endpoints as the program evolves, ensuring a consistent security posture across all OS types.
- Tooling & Evolution: Administer open-source tools (Munki, Santa) and lead evaluations of emerging platforms like FleetDM to enhance cross-platform fleet visibility.
- Security & Compliance: Ensure endpoints meet NIST, CIS, and STIG standards. Partner with Security teams to respond to vulnerabilities across the entire fleet.
- Engineering & Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Apply an IaC mindset to device management using code-based workflows (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, or Jamf API). Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines to ensure repeatable, scalable, and automated deployments regardless of the OS.
- Technical Direction: Set the architecture and technical direction for a domain, such as Apple platform, endpoint security tooling or devices-as-code, and write design or docs that formalize it.
- Customer Zero Advocacy: Act as a primary feedback loop for Okta's internal product teams. Test new features in production and influence the product roadmap based on operational data.
- Operational Excellence: Provide Tier 3 escalation support for global IT teams and participate in an on-call rotation.
What You'll Bring
- Core Experience: 8+ years in endpoint engineering with a focus on Apple platforms at enterprise scale.
- Technical Versatility: A strong understanding of Windows and Linux operating systems; you aren't just a "Mac person", you understand how to apply engineering principles to any OS.
- MDM Mastery: Deep expertise in managing endpoints at scale via MDM, such as Jamf Pro. Familiarity with Microsoft Intune, FleetDM or other cross-platform MDM/UEM solutions is a significant plus.
- Scripting: Proficiency in Bash, Python, Go, or Swift (PowerShell experience is a bonus).
- Tooling: Experience with Git, GitHub Actions, Terraform, or similar CI/CD frameworks.
- Security: Understanding of ADE/DEP, MDM/DDM protocols, and platform-specific hardening (e.g., BitLocker, FileVault, LUKS).
- Identity Knowledge: Familiarity with SAML and OIDC and how they integrate with endpoint authentication.
Additional requirements:
- This position requires the ability to access federal environments and/or have access to protected federal data. As a condition of employment for this position, the successful candidate must be able to submit documentation establishing U.S. Person status (e.g. a U.S. Citizen, National, Lawful Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee. 22 CFR 120.15) upon hire.
Extra Credit
- Hands-on experience with FleetDM or osquery for multi-OS visibility.
- Experience with Autopkg pipelines or AWS Lambda for endpoint automation.
- Background in Federal compliance (FedRAMP).
- Relevant certifications (Apple, Okta, Microsoft, AWS, Jamf).
Location & Work Style
This is a hybrid role. Candidates must be located near an Okta office. In the San Francisco Bay Area, employees are expected to be in-office a minimum of 2 days per week.
#P2763
The 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.
Notice for New York City Applicants & Employees: Okta may use Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDT), as defined by New York City Local Law 144, that use artificial intelligence, machine learning, or other automated processes to assist in our recruitment and hiring process. In accordance with NYC Local Law 144, if you are an applicant or employee residing in New York City, please click here to view our full NYC AEDT Notice.
See All 1,454+ Staff Engineer Jobs in San Mateo
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Find Staff Engineer JobsStaff Engineer Job Market in San Mateo
Who's Hiring
- Shield AI842
- Verkada306
- Okta77
- MrBeast77
- freshworks77
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
Staff Engineer Jobs in San Mateo: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a staff engineer job in San Mateo?
Target the technology and financial services companies clustered around downtown San Mateo and the Bay Meadows and Hillsdale corridors, where demand for staff engineers is consistently highest. Candidates who demonstrate systems-level thinking, a history of leading cross-functional projects, and hands-on experience with the specific stack a company uses stand out. Networking through local engineering meetups and engaging directly with companies in those districts gives you a real edge over purely remote applicants.
Which companies hire staff engineers in San Mateo?
Companies currently hiring staff engineers in San Mateo include Shield AI, Verkada, and Okta, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Mateo's employer mix skews toward mid-size technology firms, fintech companies, and healthcare technology providers that need senior individual contributors to drive architectural decisions.
Are there remote staff engineer jobs in San Mateo?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the role: staff engineers doing systems design, code review, and architectural planning tend to work remotely or hybrid, while those embedded in hardware or infrastructure teams are more often on-site. About 67% of staff engineer openings tied to San Mateo are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the area's strong concentration of software-focused employers. Platform and backend engineering roles in particular offer the most remote flexibility among San Mateo listings.
How can I get a staff engineer job in San Mateo with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is starting as a senior software engineer at one of San Mateo's mid-size technology or fintech companies, where smaller team sizes mean individual contributors take on broader scope faster. Local healthcare technology and SaaS employers regularly hire strong senior engineers and promote into staff roles within two to three years. Building a visible portfolio of systems design work and seeking out internal tech lead opportunities accelerates that progression in San Mateo's tightly networked engineering community.
Which industries hire the most staff engineers in San Mateo?
Most staff engineer openings in San Mateo sit in Science & Research, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Mateo's position between Silicon Valley and San Francisco has made it a hub for software product companies, consumer fintech platforms, and digital health businesses, all of which rely heavily on staff engineers to own complex technical domains.
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