Keycard Labs is looking for a Principal Engineer to be at the forefront of how developers use and build applications with AI. Your role is to invent the missing pieces that enable trustworthy AI, shape key architectural decisions, and build reliable, pragmatic systems.

What You'll Do

Create the future of identity for AI systems.
Build reliable, pragmatic systems by shaping architectural decisions and driving discovery work.
Take complete ownership of projects from start to finish, working across the stack deploying infrastructure, building core systems, and developing the SDK ecosystem.
Mentor and grow talent through code reviews, design sessions, and fostering a culture of iterative craftsmanship.
Shape engineering culture by working with founders to set the tone for building software and strategic decisions.

What We're Looking For

10+ years of building scalable, reliable distributed systems.
Expertise using technologies like TypeScript, Go, Rust, or Zig, Kubernetes, and Terraform on modern clouds such as GCP, Azure, and AWS.
Ownership mindset with the ability to lead through change and manage ambiguity.
Hands-on, product-minded engineer passionate about crafting products developers love.
Technical leader with deep knowledge of security and distributed systems and experience designing and operating resilient high-availability systems.
Curious and growth-oriented, continuously learning and staying ahead of industry trends.

Nice to Have

Experience building scaled developer tools, infrastructure, and platform systems like observability, identity infrastructure, or high-availability data storage.
Experience building production public key infrastructure, cryptographic systems, or enterprise key management for multi-tenant systems.
Experience developing global-scale multi-tenant infrastructure.
Passion for contributing to or creating open source software and ecosystems.
Appreciation for data-driven decision making and instrumentation.
Desire to automate work and experience building agents or tools using LLMs.

Technical Stack

Languages: TypeScript, Go, Rust, Zig
Infrastructure: Kubernetes, Terraform
Clouds: GCP, Azure, AWS

Team & Environment

Work side-by-side with founders in an inclusive, collaborative environment focused on consistent, high-quality execution and iterative craftsmanship.

Benefits & Compensation

Market-competitive salaries + equity: Generous equity packages for early employees, vesting over 4 years with a 1-year cliff.
Competitive health, dental, vision, and paramedical coverage for you and your family.
4 weeks of vacation, 11 statutory holidays, 1 volunteer day, and parental leave.
Top-of-the-line MacBook Pro plus a $500 stipend for peripherals.
Access to the latest AI tools.