Staff Software Engineer - Apache Kafka

Stack

Responsibilities

• ▹Build features and work on improvements across the Kafka stack, including Clients, Streams, Broker and other backend services
• ▹Collaborate with the Apache Kafka community via KIPs, code contributions, reviews and technical discussions while representing Confluent's interests
• ▹Drive highly complex projects that require strong technical judgement and the ability to deal with ambiguity
• ▹Mentor and grow the team with guidance on strong design principles and software architecture
• ▹Insist on high standards for software quality
• ▹Communicate with product management and engineering leaders on the roadmap, specs and product interfaces
• ▹Drive operational excellence on reliability improvements, operational events and supportability

Requirements

• ▹Track record of delivering complex, large-scope systems projects (multi-quarter design and development) while leading a team of engineers and setting project direction
• ▹Adept at using AI tools for coding and working backwards from the customer
• ▹4+ years driving staff-level or equivalent technical initiatives across multiple teams or components
• ▹Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity, set direction and align multiple teams around complex technical plans
• ▹Track record of mentoring senior engineers and enabling others to deliver high-risk, high-impact projects
• ▹Clear, concise technical communication, both written (design docs, KIPs) and verbal (reviews, cross-team forums)

Nice to have

• ▹Prior experience as a committer/PMC or core maintainer on Apache Kafka or a similar project

Soft skills

About the company

Confluent builds a data streaming platform based on Apache Kafka that puts information in motion, streaming in near real-time. Confluent is an IBM subsidiary that has been acquired by IBM and is being integrated into the IBM organization.