Director of Backend Engineering - Security Infrastructure

About Coupang

Coupang is dedicated to delighting its customers with innovations that transform shopping, dining, and daily life. A trailblazer in South Korea's commerce sector, Coupang combines the agility of a startup with the resources of a major global public company. Employees enjoy an entrepreneurial culture where they can create impact and grow with the company. The mission is to shape the future of commerce by pushing technological boundaries and delivering exceptional customer experiences in a fast-paced and interconnected world.

Role Summary

The Identity, Access, and Protection Infrastructure team is responsible for establishing a secure platform that safeguards all services and user interactions. This role leads the dynamic authorization function that monitors all API requests for security risks and initiates responsive measures to protect customers. The Director will collaborate with senior leadership and architects to guide strategic initiatives, promote cross-team alignment, and inspire high standards in design, development, and operational excellence across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit and nurture top engineering talent while fostering a positive, collaborative team culture.
• Define and steer the evolution of the security platform through strategic planning, roadmap development, and execution encouraging company-wide adoption.
• Coordinate with key stakeholders to align on strategy and deliverables.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities addressing business and technical challenges.
• Manage execution amid complex technical and organizational challenges, balancing long-term goals with immediate needs.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership in critical projects and high-priority initiatives.
• Contribute to company-wide engineering efforts and initiatives.
• Motivate teams to raise the quality and effectiveness of architectural design, implementation, and operational processes.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or relevant technical discipline.
• At least 12 years of professional software engineering experience, or 10+ years with an advanced degree.
• Minimum 5 years managing engineering teams.
• Proven expertise in designing and developing large-scale distributed systems.
• Recent experience working with security, Identity and Access Management (IAM), or related technologies.
• Demonstrated ability collaborating cross-functionally to define mission, vision, and strategic roadmaps.
• Experience managing multiple competing priorities and delivering complex large-scale services in dynamic environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in computer science or related technical field.
• Practical experience building security protocols and systems.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code, Kubernetes, gRPC, and Istio.

Recruitment Process

• Stages include application review, phone interview, onsite or virtual onsite interview, followed by an offer.
• Process may vary depending on role and scheduling needs.
• Communication regarding interviews and results will be sent via the candidate’s email.

Additional Information and Conditions

• The job posting may close early if all roles are filled.
• Offers may be rescinded if falsified application information is found.
• Candidates eligible for employment protection may receive preference per applicable laws.
• Job titles and responsibilities may be adjusted based on candidate qualifications and experience, with communication prior to offers.
• Hiring is contingent on meeting legal qualifications and performance requirements.
• Candidate personal information will be collected and managed according to Coupang’s privacy policy.