cover image
Tailscale

Backend Engineer, Identity

Remote

Canada

Full Time

16-01-2026

Share this job:

Skills

Communication Go SQL Incident Response Test Decision-making Coaching Programming Databases Organization

Job Specifications

About Tailscale

Tailscale is building the new Internet by delivering software that makes it easy to securely interconnect people and their devices, no matter where they are. From hobbyists to multinational corporations, teams of every size use Tailscale each day to protect their networks, share access to internal tools, and more. We're building a future for the Internet that's easy, sensible, and safe, like it used to be. Founded in 2019 and fully distributed, we're backed by Accel, CRV, Insight, Heavybit, and Uncork Capital.

Job Description

We’re seeking a skilled and diligent full-time Software Engineer to join our growing team. You will work as part of the engineering team to:

Develop the Tailscale product, contributing to both open source client code and related backend services
Take ownership of the entire product lifecycle, from writing code to product ideation and strategic decision-making
Work closely with UX/UI designers and product managers to shape features
Bring a special focus to building features related to identity and access management

Because we’re an early-stage and fully remote company, we’re looking for a strongly motivated individual who can help move the product forward at crucial intersections of the technology and organization: in this case, the intersection of our backend platform and its various identity, authorization, and authentication needs. The ability to think on your feet, collaborate with highly technical teams, and comfort working asynchronously are essential.

Key Responsibilities

Work as part of a team of engineers to design, build, test, and document core software components
Develop product features in areas that include our control plane, platform, and identity services
Develop features that support a broad range of sign-on functionality, such as SSO, OAuth2, SAML, and WebAuthn
Develop and maintain SCIM style capabilities to synchronize users, groups and other attributes from IdPs
Exhibit ownership over the running services that comprise Tailscale’s product by building for observability, participating in incident response, and fielding customer support escalations
Analyze and improve efficiency, scalability, and stability of various system resources
Bring a security-first mindset to both design and implementation

What We Are Looking For

Familiarity with authentication/authorization protocols, standards and frameworks such as OAuth2, OIDC, SSO, and SAML. Familiarity with SCIM is a plus.
Experience with distributed systems and building observable, secure, scalable, and resilient services
Most of the non-front-end portions of the system are developed in the Go programming language. Experience with Go is a plus.
Experience with one or more SQL databases
Ability to give and process constructive feedback, as well as work independently
Flexibility to adjust to the dynamic nature of a startup
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Familiarity with networks (IP addressing, routing, etc.) is a plus

As a company, we strive to maintain fair and equitable compensation practices within our team across all roles and all levels. Tailscale's compensation package includes base salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits. The salary range displayed on each job posting represents the target range for a new hire's base salary. Individual offers may vary based on experience and skill set.

CAN Pay Ranges

$218,420—$302,840 CAD

Frequently cited statistics show that people who identify with historically marginalized groups are likely to apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage you to help us break that statistic!

What We Offer

An inclusive, flexible environment where you can be your authentic self. We recognize the impact of diverse voices and backgrounds on the growth of our people, product, and company. And that flexibility in how and when you work empowers our team to integrate work and life.
A competitive total compensation package. This includes a base salary, an equity incentive plan and variable commission (for quota-based roles).
Comprehensive group benefits with no waiting period. Take advantage of coverage for health, vision, dental, and more for you and your family!
Remote first company—most of our teams work fully remotely. Enjoy a change of scenery wherever you can get wifi, participate in virtual and in-person social events, and leverage our corporate co-working program to visit WeWork (or other similar spaces near you). Some roles require in-office collaboration depending on team needs, which will be clearly noted in the job description.
Connect with other Tailscalars IRL. Attend our annual company retreat, participate in team/department off-sites, or use your individual travel budget to meet up with team members in Canada, the US, or the UK.
Support for your personal and professional development. Grow your career thoughtfully with $1500 USD annually for professional development, or take advantage of mentorship, coaching, an

About the Company

For teams who want secure, private networks without weeks of setup and configuration, Tailscale makes it easy. Unlike existing corporate VPNs, Tailscale has no upfront cost, minimal latency, and works with their existing services. Know more