Strac, a Y Combinator-backed startup focused on endpoint security, is seeking a Senior Endpoint Security Engineer specializing in Windows. The ideal candidate possesses deep Windows internals knowledge, experience with kernel-mode programming (drivers and system services), and expertise in security concepts like code signing and exploit mitigation. This role involves developing and maintaining Strac's agent for Windows, contributing to the core security product, and collaborating with a small, highly technical team. Experience with reverse engineering and vulnerability research is a plus.
Strac, a cybersecurity startup specializing in endpoint protection and currently part of the prestigious Y Combinator Winter 2022 cohort, is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Endpoint Security Engineer with a deep understanding of the Windows operating system. This individual will play a critical role in the development and enhancement of Strac's cutting-edge security solutions, specifically focusing on the Windows platform. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of Windows internals, system administration, and security best practices. Responsibilities will encompass a range of tasks, including designing, developing, and implementing new security features for Windows endpoints, meticulously testing and debugging software to ensure its robustness and efficacy, and collaborating closely with other engineering teams to integrate these features seamlessly into the broader Strac platform. Moreover, this engineer will contribute to the ongoing research and analysis of emerging threats and vulnerabilities within the Windows ecosystem, enabling Strac to proactively adapt its defenses and maintain a superior level of protection for its clientele. This position necessitates a profound understanding of Windows security mechanisms, such as kernel drivers, system calls, and user-mode API hooks, as well as proficiency in C/C++ programming languages and experience with software development lifecycle processes. The successful candidate will be a crucial contributor to Strac's mission of providing robust and innovative endpoint security solutions in a constantly evolving threat landscape, directly impacting the security posture of organizations reliant on the Windows platform. This is a full-time position offering the opportunity to work on challenging problems in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment within the supportive framework of the Y Combinator network.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42791823
Hacker News users discussing the Strac job posting largely focused on the requested salary range ($110k - $170k) for a Senior Endpoint Security Engineer specializing in Windows. Several commenters found this range too low, particularly given the specialized skillset, experience level required (5+ years), and the current market rate for security engineers. Some suggested that Strac's YC status might be influencing their offered compensation, speculating that they're either underfunded or attempting to leverage their YC association to attract talent at a lower cost. Others debated the value of endpoint security as a focus, with some suggesting it's a niche and potentially less valuable skillset compared to other security specializations. There was also discussion around the phrasing of the job description, with some finding the wording unclear or potentially indicative of company culture.
The Hacker News post titled "Strac (YC W22) Is Hiring Windows Engineer" linking to a job posting for a Senior Endpoint Security Engineer (Windows) at Strac generated a small discussion thread with a few noteworthy comments.
One commenter questioned the choice of "strac" as a company name, expressing concern that it might be easily misspelled and difficult to find via search engines. They suggested considering alternative names if the company was still early stage.
Another commenter, identifying themselves as working in endpoint security, expressed skepticism about the prevalence of security products focusing on visibility without providing effective prevention capabilities. They saw this as a significant problem in the industry, implying that Strac's approach, if focused primarily on visibility, might not be addressing the core issue.
A further comment picked up on the previous one, acknowledging the issue of visibility-focused security products. They suggested that the challenge lies in the difficulty of creating effective prevention mechanisms against sophisticated attackers. This commenter also hinted at personal experience with struggling to implement comprehensive preventative measures.
Finally, one commenter pointed out the seemingly high salary range offered by Strac compared to industry averages, especially given its early-stage nature (having been part of YC's Winter 2022 batch). They speculated that this could be due to factors like the company's location or a particularly demanding set of requirements for the role. This sparked a brief exchange with another commenter who mentioned that the salary range might be wide to attract candidates across different experience levels.