Backend Engineer (AI, SQL)

About The CompanyStripe is a leading financial infrastructure platform dedicated to empowering businesses worldwide. Serving a diverse range of clients—from global enterprises to innovative startups—Stripe provides seamless solutions for accepting payments, expanding revenue streams, and accelerating growth. With a mission to increase the GDP of the internet, Stripe is committed to building the most comprehensive and reliable financial tools, fostering economic development, and enabling entrepreneurs to thrive. The company emphasizes innovation, security, and customer-centricity, continuously pushing the boundaries of what is possible in digital payments and financial services.About The RoleWe are seeking a highly skilled Backend Engineer specialized in AI Security to join our dynamic team. In this foundational role, you will be responsible for developing and implementing security primitives within Stripe's AI infrastructure. As the first engineer on the AI security team, you will work at the intersection of infrastructure and security, designing solutions that protect our AI systems from emerging threats such as prompt injections, jailbreaks, and misuse of AI tools. Your contributions will be crucial in enabling Stripe to leverage AI advancements safely and securely, ensuring that our products and infrastructure remain resilient against sophisticated adversarial attacks.This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of AI security within a fast-paced, innovative environment. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, advise on best practices, and develop security frameworks that set industry standards. The position can be based in our offices in New York, South San Francisco, or Seattle, or remotely within Canada or the United States, providing flexibility to accommodate different working preferences.Qualifications5+ years of experience in software developmentProven ability to independently design and develop medium-to-large projectsExperience working collaboratively across multiple engineering teamsStrong coding skills in a major programming language (e.g., Python, Go, Java, C++)Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments and drive clear next stepsCreative problem-solving skills and strong reasoning capabilities in complex domainsExperience in developing, deploying, and maintaining reliable infrastructure systems (preferred)Background in security engineering (preferred)Experience building AI agents or LLM-based systems (preferred)ResponsibilitiesDesign and develop security frameworks integrated with core AI infrastructureImplement defenses against AI-specific threats such as prompt injection and jailbreaksCollaborate with other engineering teams to ensure secure development practices for AI productsSupport teams in integrating security primitives into their AI systemsMaintain high engineering standards and continuously improve code quality and processesInnovate and build systems that define the state of the art in AI securityPartner with cross-functional teams to assess vulnerabilities and implement mitigation strategiesStay updated on emerging AI threats and security research to proactively enhance defensesBenefitsCompetitive annual salary range of $190,400 - $285,600 (USD)Equity options and potential bonuses or sales commissionsComprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans401(k) retirement savings planWellness stipends and other employee wellness programsFlexible work arrangements, including hybrid and remote optionsOpportunities for professional growth and development in a cutting-edge fieldAccess to a collaborative and innovative work environment in major office locations or remotelyEqual OpportunityStripe is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees and applicants are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We believe diversity drives innovation and are dedicated to creating a workplace that reflects the global community we serve.