Software Engineer I

About Us:

Proofpoint is a global leader in human- and agent-centric cybersecurity. We protect how people, data, and AI agents connect across email, cloud, and collaboration tools. Over 80 of the Fortune 100, 10,000 large enterprises, and millions of smaller organizations trust Proofpoint to stop threats, prevent data loss, and build resilience across their people and AI workflows. Our mission is simple: safeguard the digital world and empower people to work securely and confidently. Join us in our pursuit to defend data and protect people.

How We Work:

At Proofpoint you’ll be part of a global team that breaks barriers to redefine cybersecurity guided by our BRAVE core values: 

Bold in how we dream and innovate

Responsive to feedback, challenges and opportunities

Accountable for results and best in class outcomes

Visionary in future focused problem-solving

Exceptional in execution and impact

The Role

Join our Belfast PPS Engineering team and help modernize Proofpoint’s flagship Email Security platform, a mission‑critical service trusted by many of the world’s largest enterprises. This is a great opportunity for an early‑career engineer to develop their skills while contributing to a large‑scale, cloud‑based security platform.
 

You’ll work as part of a supportive engineering team, building and improving the services that power our platform. Along the way, you’ll gain hands‑on experience with modern software development practices, cloud technologies, and distributed systems, while learning from experienced engineers.
 

This role is ideal for someone who has completed an internship or placement year and has up to one year of professional experience, is curious, eager to learn, and excited to grow their career in software engineering.

Your day-to-day

As a Software Engineer I, you will:

• Contribute to building and improving software services that support our large‑scale email security platform

• Write clean, well‑tested, and maintainable code, primarily using Java, while gaining exposure to a variety of technologies used across the platform

• Assist in developing APIs and software components that handle data processing and system workflows

• Learn about event‑driven and asynchronous systems through real‑world use cases

• Collaborate closely with other engineers, as well as Product, QA, and SRE teams, to deliver features and improvements

• Gain experience with CI/CD pipelines that help build, test, and deploy software safely and reliably

• Participate in an on‑call rotation once fully ramped up, with training, mentoring, and team support

• Continuously develop your technical skills, ask questions, and take advantage of learning opportunities within the team.

What you bring to the team

• Experience through an internship, placement year, or post academics in a full‑time software role

• Working knowledge of Java or a similar programming language, with enthusiasm for learning new technologies

• Basic understanding of modern software development practices, such as version control and CI/CD concepts

• Some exposure to cloud platforms (AWS or similar) through coursework, internships, or projects

• Interest in building reliable, maintainable, and scalable software

• A proactive mindset, strong problem‑solving ability, and willingness to learn from others

• Awareness of containerization or orchestration technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus, but not required

• Good communication skills and a collaborative approach to working in a team environment

#LI-CB1

Why Proofpoint?

At Proofpoint, we believe that an exceptional career experience includes a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Here are just a few reasons you’ll love working with us:

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits

• Career success on your terms

• Flexible work environment

• Annual wellness and community outreach days

• Always on recognition for your contributions

• Global collaboration and networking opportunities

Our Culture:

Our culture is rooted in values that inspire belonging, empower purpose and drive success-every day, for everyone.

We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please reach out to accessibility@proofpoint.com.

How to Apply

Interested? Submit your application along with any supporting information- we can’t wait to hear from you!