FlexHired LogoFlexHired
Logo of GitLab

GitLab

Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby), Software Supply Chain Security: Authentication

Job Summary

This role involves contributing to the development of secure and scalable authentication solutions within GitLab's platform. The senior backend engineer will implement and enhance authentication strategies such as Passkeys, passwordless authentication, and access control measures, while maintaining security standards. Strong experience with Ruby on Rails, and familiarity with authentication and authorization technologies are preferred. The position offers an inclusive, remote work environment with benefits supporting health, well-being, and professional growth.

Required Skills

Performance Optimization
Web Development
Agile Methodologies
Code Review
Security
Authorization
Authentication
LDAP
IAM
SAML
Ruby on Rails
Access Management
SSO
RBAC
SCIM

Benefits

Health Insurance
Paid Time Off
Flexible Schedule
Remote Work
Parental Leave
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Home Office Support
Equity Compensation
Employee Resource Groups
Growth and Development Fund

Job Description

GitLab is an open core software company that develops the most comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps Platform, used by more than 100,000 organizations. Our mission is to enable everyone to contribute to and co-create the software that powers our world. When everyone can contribute, consumers become contributors, significantly accelerating the rate of human progress. This mission is integral to our culture, influencing how we hire, build products, and lead our industry. We make this possible at GitLab by running our operations on our product and staying aligned with our values. Learn more about Life at GitLab.

Thanks to products like Duo Enterprise, and Duo Workflow, customers get the benefit of AI at every stage of the SDLC. The same principles built into our products are reflected in how our team works: we embrace AI as a core productivity multiplier. All team members are encouraged and expected to incorporate AI into their daily workflows to drive efficiency, innovation, and impact across our global organisation.

An overview of this role:

Help us build the future of secure and easy to manage access at GitLab. Whether it’s a simple user and password based login, enhancing our access token strategy or driving consolidation of authorization checks that manage access to thousands of resources, as a Senior Backend Engineer on our team, you'll play a key role in the implementation of various authentication strategies and improving access management for our users.

Your role will also involve building new authentication mechanisms from ground up such as support for Passkeys and passwordless authentication while helping keep GitLab and its customers secure by robust access management tooling and addressing vulnerabilities on existing features reported via our HackerOne program.

Authentication group works across many core components that are used by not only external users but also by the rest of the GitLab teams, allowing you to make a direct impact on the GitLab product.

Some of our example projects:

  • Enterprise user management and controls
  • Secure automation improvements via Service accounts
  • Transparent credential management through Credentials Inventory
  • Composite Identities to merge machine and human authorization for AI
  • Token management tooling
  • SAML, LDAP, OIDC and SCIM enhancements for automated user provisioning and SSO.

What you’ll do:

  • Contribute to the overall direction of the team and play a direct part in driving future roadmap direction of a secure and scalable authentication solution for GitLab.
  • Contribute to implementation and expanding of various authentication strategies into our product.
  • Bolster security posture of our users and organizations by helping develop fine grained access control and frictionless user management.
  • Solve technical problems of high scope and complexity.
  • Help to define and improve our internal standards for style, maintainability, and best practices for a high-scale web environment. Maintain and advocate for these standards through code review.
  • Represent GitLab and its values in public communication around broader initiatives, specific projects, and community contributions.
  • Confidently ship moderately sized features and improvements with moderate guidance and support from other team members.
  • Collaborate with the team on larger projects.
  • Improve the engineering projects at GitLab via the maintainer trainee program at your own comfortable pace, while striving to become a project maintainer.

What you’ll bring:

  • Considerable professional experience with Ruby on Rails.
  • Experience in a scaling or mission critical SaaS product.
  • Familiarity with authentication and authorization technologies or techniques such as SAML, SSO, SCIM, LDAP, RBAC or IAM will help you stand out. These are not a prerequisite but great to know.
  • Proficiency in the English language, both written and verbal, sufficient for success in a remote and largely asynchronous work environment.
  • Demonstrated capacity to clearly and concisely communicate complex problems and solutions
  • Experience with performance and optimization problems and a demonstrated ability to both diagnose and prevent these problems.
  • Comfort working in a highly agile, intensely iterative software development process.
  • Positive and solution-oriented mindset.
  • Experience owning a project from concept to production, including proposal, discussion, and execution.
  • Self-motivated and self-managing, with strong organizational skills.

About the team:

Our mission is to empower GitLab system administrators with the toolkit they need to create their desired balance of security and accessibility for their GitLab experience.

Authentication is the first impression any new customer has when they configure their shiny new GitLab instance, and we aim to make it as seamless as possible: from that moment of first logging in, to onboarding users, to managing the basic security rules for their instance in a secure, flexible and scalable manner.

How GitLab will support you

Please note that we welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you're excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application.

The base salary range for this role’s listed level is currently for residents of listed locations only. Grade level and salary ranges are determined through interviews and a review of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant, equity with other team members, and alignment with market data. See more information on our benefits and equity. Sales roles are also eligible for incentive pay targeted at up to 100% of the offered base salary.

California/Colorado/Hawaii/New Jersey/New York/Washington/DC/Illinois/Minnesota pay range
$117,600$252,000 USD

Country Hiring Guidelines: GitLab hires new team members in countries around the world. All of our roles are remote, however some roles may carry specific location-based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can help answer any questions about location after starting the recruiting process.

Privacy Policy: Please review our Recruitment Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to us.

GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.

Interested in this job?

Application deadline: Open until filled

Logo of GitLab

GitLab

From planning to production, bring teams together in one application. Ship secure code more efficiently to deliver value faster.

See more jobs
Date PostedMay 6th, 2025
Job TypeFull Time
LocationRemote, Canada; Remote, North America; Remote, US
Salary$117,600 - $252,000
Exciting remote opportunity (requires residency in Canada, Mexico, United States) for a Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby), Software Supply Chain Security: Authentication at GitLab. Offering $117,600 - $252,000 (full time). Explore more remote jobs on FlexHired!

Safe Remote Job Search Tips

Verify Employer Thoroughly

Research the company's identity thoroughly before applying. Check for a professional website with contacts, active social media, and LinkedIn profiles. Verify details across platforms and look for reviews on Glassdoor or Trustpilot to confirm legitimacy.

Never Pay to Get a Job

Legitimate employers never require payment for applications, training, background checks, or equipment. Always reject upfront payment requests or demands for bank details, even if they claim it's for purchasing necessary work gear on your behalf.

Safeguard Your Personal Information

Protect sensitive data like SSN, bank details, or ID copies. Share this only after accepting a formal, written job offer. Ensure it's submitted via a secure company system or portal, never through insecure channels like standard email attachments.

Scrutinize Communication & Interviews

Watch for communication red flags: poor grammar, generic emails (@gmail), vague details, or undue pressure. Be highly suspicious of interviews held only via text or chat apps; legitimate companies typically use video or phone calls.

Beware of Unrealistic Offers

If an offer's salary or benefits seem unrealistically high for the work involved, be cautious. Research standard pay for similar roles. Offers that appear 'too good to be true' are often scams designed to lure you into providing information or payment.

Insist on a Formal Contract

Always secure and review a formal, written job offer or employment contract before starting work or sharing final personal details. Ensure it clearly defines your role, compensation, key terms, and conditions to avoid misunderstandings or scams.

Related Jobs

Full Time
$110,900 - $237,600
Remote, Canada; Remote, US
Full Time
$167,000 - $234,000
Remote, USA; Remote, Canada; Remote, Europe

Subscribe Newsletter

Never miss a remote job opportunity. Subscribe to our newsletter today and receive exclusive job alerts, career advice, and industry insights delivered straight to your inbox.