Principal Software Engineer - Account Authentication

Location: US-based role; headquarters location in San Mateo, California. Office-based roles are onsite Tuesday through Thursday, with optional presence Monday and Friday.

Company

Roblox builds a global platform for creating, sharing, and experiencing immersive 3D digital experiences.

What you will do

• Set the multi-year client technical vision and system architecture for account authentication across web, mobile, desktop, console, and VR/AR platforms.
• Architect client-side authentication engines, session resilience, and protocol integrations in partnership with product management, security, and core client infrastructure teams.
• Lead end-to-end client systems engineering across C++, Lua, native iOS and Android runtimes, platform SDKs, and supporting services.
• Drive architecture standards, client performance optimization, network efficiency, and cross-platform consistency for hundreds of millions of daily active users.
• Develop authentication capabilities including passwordless sign-up, recoverable accounts, service accounts, and support for new platforms such as Xbox and PlayStation.

Requirements

• 15+ years of experience leading and architecting client systems infrastructure and strategic product initiatives at massive scale.
• Deep expertise in client-side systems engineering using technologies such as C++, Rust, Lua, native iOS/Android runtimes, or cross-platform engine architectures.
• Strong knowledge of client-side security architecture, passkeys, WebAuthn, device attestation, and authentication protocol integration.
• Experience defining end-to-end client engine capabilities and middleware across mobile, desktop, console, embedded, or VR platforms.
• Expertise in client profiling, low-level tracing, telemetry, metric collection, and data-driven performance optimization.
• BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice to have

• Experience embedding client-side AI/ML runtimes, intelligent device security, and context-aware system capabilities into client software.

Culture & Benefits

• Work on safety, security, and civil interaction for a large global community.
• Full-time employees are eligible for equity compensation and employee benefits.
• Equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodations are provided during the recruiting process.

Hiring process

• Reasonable accommodations are available for candidates with qualifying disabilities or religious beliefs.
• For US-based roles, certain US visa categories may not be supported and future H-1B sponsorship may be unavailable.