Senior Software Engineer

Confluent
Portland, US
Remote

Who this role is best for

Aimed at senior engineers who thrive in cloud infrastructure and distributed systems, working remotely on high-performance data streaming platforms.

Best fit for

  • Senior engineers with deep cloud infrastructure and distributed systems expertise.
    — “Strong fundamentals in distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and networking.
  • Candidates experienced in optimizing large-scale systems across multiple cloud providers.
    — “Troubleshoot and improve system reliability, observability, and performance across multiple cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • Developers proficient in statically typed languages like Java or Go.
    — “Proficiency in Java, Scala, C++, Go, or other statically typed languages.

Things to consider

  • Requires working across multiple cloud environments and providers.
    — “Work on distributed systems challenges such as consensus algorithms, failover strategies, and resource allocation.
  • Involves collaboration with multiple teams to optimize infrastructure.
    — “Collaborate with teams across Confluent to optimize and enhance infrastructure for real-time data streaming use cases.

How to stand out

  • Highlight contributions to open-source infrastructure projects.
    — “Contributions to open-source infrastructure projects.
  • Demonstrate experience in cloud-native architectures like Kubernetes.
    — “Familiarity with Kubernetes, service meshes, and cloud-native architectures.
  • Showcase problem-solving in high-availability system operations.
    — “Experience in building and operating large-scale, high-availability systems.
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • design, develop, and operate large-scale, high-performance infrastructure
  • build foundational software to improve reliability, scalability, and efficiency
  • work on distributed systems challenges
  • collaborate with teams to optimize and enhance infrastructure
  • troubleshoot and improve system reliability, observability, and performance
Typical background
4+ years of relevant experiencestrong fundamentals in distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and networking

Skills & requirements

Required

Distributed SystemsCloud InfrastructureNetworkingJavaScalaC++GoSystems OperationsBS, MS, Or Phd In Computer Science Or A Related Field

Preferred

KubernetesService MeshesCloud-native ArchitecturesContributions To Open-source Infrastructure Projects

Stack & domain

JavaScalaC++GoDistributed SystemsCloud InfrastructureNetworkingKubernetesService MeshesCloud-native ArchitecturesProblem-solvingCollaborationCloudData StreamingBackend DevelopmentCloud ComputingEnterprise Software

About the role

As a Senior Software Engineer at Confluent, you'll be tackling complex infrastructure challenges, designing and operating large-scale systems, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance the reliability and efficiency of Confluent's data streaming platform. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about building scalable and robust solutions.

Original posting from Confluent via Ashby

We’re not just building better tech. We’re rewriting how data moves and what the world can do with it. With Confluent, data doesn’t sit still. Our platform puts information in motion, streaming in near real-time so companies can react faster, build smarter, and deliver experiences as dynamic as the world around them.

It takes a certain kind of person to join this team. Those who ask hard questions, give honest feedback, and show up for each other. No egos, no solo acts. Just smart, curious humans pushing toward something bigger, together.

One Confluent. One Team. One Data Streaming Platform.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Infrastructure team at Confluent is responsible for building and operating the foundation that powers Confluent Cloud. Our mission is to design scalable, reliable, and cost-efficient infrastructure to support mission-critical data streaming workloads. Whether it’s optimizing cloud networking, improving resource efficiency, or scaling distributed systems, our work directly impacts Confluent’s performance, reliability, and business growth.

We are looking for engineers with a passion for building and operating large-scale distributed systems in the cloud. This role provides an opportunity to work on complex infrastructure challenges across multiple domains, including storage, networking, compute, and security.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

  • Design, develop, and operate large-scale, high-performance infrastructure that powers Confluent Cloud.
  • Build foundational software to improve reliability, scalability, and efficiency across cloud environments.
  • Work on distributed systems challenges such as consensus algorithms, failover strategies, and resource allocation.
  • Collaborate with teams across Confluent to optimize and enhance infrastructure for real-time data streaming use cases.
  • Troubleshoot and improve system reliability, observability, and performance across multiple cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • Contribute to open-source projects and leverage open-source technologies to drive business impact.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING:

  • 4+ years of relevant experience
  • Strong fundamentals in distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and networking.
  • Experience in building and operating large-scale, high-availability systems.
  • Deep understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and their services.
  • Solid grasp of systems operations (disk, networking, OS-level optimizations).
  • Proficiency in Java, Scala, C++, Go, or other statically typed languages.
  • A self-starter with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • BS, MS, or PhD in computer science or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

WHAT GIVES YOU AN EDGE:

  • Experience in one or more of the following domains: storage, compute orchestration, networking, security, or performance engineering.
  • Familiarity with Kubernetes, service meshes, and cloud-native architectures.
  • Contributions to open-source infrastructure projects.

READY TO BUILD WHAT'S NEXT? LET’S GET IN MOTION.

COME AS YOU ARE

Belonging isn’t a perk here. It’s the baseline. We work across time zones and backgrounds, knowing the best ideas come from different perspectives. And we make space for everyone to lead, grow, and challenge what’s possible.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Employment decisions are based on job-related criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.

PRIVACY STATEMENT

Confluent is an IBM subsidiary which has been acquired by IBM and will be integrated into the IBM organization. By proceeding with this application, you understand that Confluent will share your personal information with other IBM affiliates involved in your recruitment process, wherever these are located. More Information on how IBM protects your personal information, including the safeguards in case of cross-border data transfer, are available here http://ibm.com/careers/us-en/privacy-policy/.

Source: Confluent careers (Ashby)

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