Principal Incubation Engineer

Job Description

Snyk is seeking a Principal Incubation Engineer to spearhead the technical execution of core LLM/AI features and backend infrastructure for innovative new products in the security domain. This role offers the opportunity to shape the technical direction of Snyk's product in the rapidly growing LLM security space, leveraging expertise in LLMs and backend systems.

Role Involves:

• Driving the design, development, and deployment of core AI/LLM features and underlying backend infrastructure (Python preferred for AI related work).
• Providing technical leadership and guidance to the engineering team, focusing on LLM/AI and backend best practices.
• Defining best practices in the emerging field of LLM Security, whilst building a cutting edge product from the ground up.
• Leveraging deep expertise in the LLM ecosystem (MCP, Ollama, HuggingFace, etc), prompt engineering, and security.
• Designing and implementing backend solutions utilizing vector databases and cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP/Azure).
• Leading backend development efforts, ensuring scalability, reliability, and security.
• Collaborating closely with product management, UX designers, and other engineers.
• Partnering and collaborating with a team of acquired and VC backed CEOs and CTOs driving innovation.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of relevant backend software engineering experience, with a strong focus on machine learning, AI and more recently LLM and generative AI technologies.
• Deep expertise in the LLM ecosystem, prompt engineering, vibe coding, and security considerations.
• Strong understanding of vector databases and AI, data, and cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP/Azure).
• Extensive experience in backend development (Python preferred).
• Proven track record of building and deploying scalable backend applications from scratch.
• Experience working in startups with ambiguity and rapid prototyping.
• Builder mentality with a passion for creating new things.
• Strong technical fundamentals and engineering/design principles.

Snyk offers:

• Flexible working hours, work-from home allowances, in-office perks, and time off for learning and self development
• Generous vacation and wellness time off, country-specific holidays, and 100% paid parental leave for all caregivers
• Health benefits, employee assistance plans, and annual wellness allowance
• Country-specific life insurance, disability benefits, and retirement/pension programs, plus mobile phone and education allowances