At Thorn, our cause is our code. We are a nonprofit whose mission of defending children from sexual exploitation and abuse is deeply embedded within our core—a shared code that drives us to do challenging work with resilience and determination.
Here, you’ll work and grow among the best hearts and the best minds in tech, data, and business alongside our network of independent partners, NGOs, and law enforcement agencies. Together, we’re focused on building technology that protects children’s futures. We are looking for dynamic problem solvers with the desire to help address some of today’s toughest issues. You'll collaborate with a diverse group of peers in a remote environment centered on wellness, care, and compassion.
In 2019, we took the stage atTED and shared our audacious goal of eliminating child sexual abuse material from the internet. Come join us to help make this goal a reality and build a world where every child can be safe, curious, and happy.
About the Role
Our Safer team develops and operates backend services, APIs, and high-volume data-processing pipelines that help technology companies detect and respond to child sexual abuse material on their platforms. As a Staff Engineer, you will lead high-impact initiatives within the Safer product area, shaping how our systems are designed, built, scaled, and maintained.
In this role, you will drive the design and delivery of complex, multi-system projects, anticipate technical risks, and make sound architectural and implementation decisions that improve reliability, performance, and long-term sustainability in service of Thorn’s mission. You partner closely with Product and Engineering to translate broad goals into actionable technical plans and ensure successful delivery. Through technical leadership, proactive collaboration, and strong ownership, you elevate the quality and maintainability of our products and strengthen how your team and the broader Build organization builds and operates our systems.
What You’ll Do
What We’re Looking For
Required qualifications and capabilities:
Experience that would be especially helpful:
Technologies We Use
Beyond the required Python and Kubernetes experience described above, you do not need experience with every technology listed below.
Compensation and Benefits
A reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role is $150,000-$207,000/year This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to location; skill sets; experience and training; licensure, and certifications.
Our remote-first work model is structured around working from home most of the time. But, there will be times that employees are expected to travel. For example, Thorn may host company-wide gatherings, and smaller teams may hold in-person meetings and team-building events, or require attendance at specific conferences.
At Thorn, we know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and offer employees a broad range of benefits. Learn more about what working at Thorn can mean for you
Thorn is strengthened by the wide range of experiences and perspectives on our team. We value the diversity of our professional backgrounds, subject matter expertise, cultures, and perspectives because they help us solve complex problems and serve our mission more effectively. We hire based on merit, qualifications, and organizational need, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Thorn is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. We provide reasonable accommodations to ensure candidates and employees with disabilities can fully participate in the application process, perform essential job functions, and access all the benefits and privileges of employment. If you need an accommodation, please contact us at hiring@wearethorn.org
Our children are growing up in a digital world.
We are experiencing a dramatic shift in how and where young people connect, learn, and play has left parents and our communities feeling helpless and uncertain about how to protect them.
Predators are taking advantage of this new reality, exploiting children in digital spaces and creating new vulnerabilities for them.
This global public health crisis has devastating impacts on children everywhere, while parents and caregivers struggle to navigate this new digital landscape and keep their kids safe.
At Thorn, we envision a world where cutting-edge technology is proactively developed to defend children.
We are an innovative nonprofit that transforms how children are protected from sexual abuse and exploitation in the digital age through cutting-edge technology, original research, and collaborative partnerships.
We empower platforms and people who can protect children with the tools and resources to do so, using the power of technology to secure every kid’s right to childhood joy.
