Principal Engineer, Tableflow at Confluent

Role Overview

As a Principal Engineer on the Tableflow team at Confluent, you will be a technical leader responsible for shaping the architecture, scalability, and reliability of the Tableflow project and the broader Confluent platform. This role focuses on advancing key layers of Tableflow, including its multi-tenant, highly available compute infrastructure and core components responsible for table materialization and background maintenance.

You will own company-level technical domains, set direction for critical initiatives, and influence both engineering practices and product strategy. This position requires operating with autonomy in highly ambiguous spaces, making decisions that balance technical depth with business impact to ensure high availability and scalability for background storage tasks across all of Confluent Cloud. You will be instrumental in driving innovation and maintaining the high performance of Confluent's data streaming platform.

A Day in the Life

A typical day for a Principal Engineer, Tableflow, may involve:

• Participating in architectural design discussions for new features or improvements to the Tableflow system.
• Writing and reviewing code for core components of the Tableflow platform.
• Collaborating with product managers to define the technical roadmap for Tableflow.
• Mentoring junior engineers on best practices for distributed systems and cloud-native development.
• Investigating and resolving performance bottlenecks in the Tableflow system.
• Presenting technical proposals to executive leadership.
• Contributing to open-source projects related to data streaming and storage.
• Monitoring the health and performance of the Tableflow platform in production.
• Developing and implementing strategies for table schematization, materialization, and compaction.
• Optimizing the platform for scalability, reliability, and resilience.

Why East Coast Region, United States

The East Coast Region of the United States offers a vibrant and dynamic environment for technology professionals. Confluent's presence in this region provides access to a diverse talent pool, a thriving startup ecosystem, and close proximity to major financial and technology hubs. The region offers a blend of cultural attractions, educational opportunities, and a high quality of life, making it an ideal location for career growth and personal fulfillment. Furthermore, being in the East Coast allows for easier collaboration with teams in European time zones.

Career Path

The Principal Engineer, Tableflow role provides a clear path for career advancement within Confluent. Successful individuals may progress to roles such as:

• Distinguished Engineer: Focusing on cross-cutting technical initiatives and providing strategic guidance across the organization.
• Technical Fellow: Driving innovation in specific technical domains and serving as a thought leader in the industry.
• Engineering Manager: Leading and managing a team of engineers working on the Tableflow project.
• Architect: Focusing on the overall architecture and design of the Confluent platform.

Confluent is committed to providing opportunities for professional growth and development, and encourages employees to explore different career paths within the company.

Salary & Benefits

The estimated salary range for a Principal Engineer, Tableflow at Confluent in the East Coast Region is $220,000 to $350,000 per year. This range is based on industry data and Confluent's compensation philosophy. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, skills, and location. Confluent also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Competitive salary and equity package
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Employee stock purchase program
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Commuter benefits
• Company-sponsored events and activities
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment

Confluent Culture

Confluent is built on the values of innovation, collaboration, and customer success. The company fosters a culture of open communication, continuous learning, and mutual respect. Confluent is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and valued. Employees are encouraged to take risks, challenge the status quo, and contribute to the company's mission of putting data in motion. Confluent emphasizes a 'One Confluent. One Team. One Data Streaming Platform.' approach.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online through the Confluent careers website. Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience. Be sure to highlight your experience with distributed systems, cloud-native platforms, and data streaming technologies. We look forward to hearing from you!

FAQ

1. What is Tableflow?

   Tableflow is a key project within Confluent, focusing on providing a scalable and reliable data streaming platform for real-time data processing and analytics. It supports table materialization and background maintenance operations within Confluent Cloud.

2. What are the key responsibilities of a Principal Engineer, Tableflow?

   Key responsibilities include defining technical strategy, architecting metadata management systems, designing storage engine innovations, building multi-tenant infrastructure, and mentoring other engineers.

3. What skills and experience are required for this role?

   The role requires deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud computing, data streaming, and metadata management. A proven track record of leading large-scale distributed storage systems is essential.

4. What is the career path for this role?

   Successful individuals may progress to roles such as Distinguished Engineer, Technical Fellow, Engineering Manager, or Architect.

5. What is the salary range for this role?

   The estimated salary range for a Principal Engineer, Tableflow at Confluent in the East Coast Region is $220,000 to $350,000 per year.

6. What are the benefits of working at Confluent?

   Confluent offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, parental leave, and a 401(k) plan.

7. What is the company culture like at Confluent?

   Confluent fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and customer success, with a focus on open communication and continuous learning.

8. What open-source projects will I be contributing to?

   You will primarily be contributing to projects such as Apache Iceberg and other relevant data streaming and storage open-source initiatives.

9. How does Confluent support professional development?

   Confluent provides various professional development opportunities, including training programs, conferences, and mentorship programs.

10. What impact will I have in this role?

    You will have a significant impact on the architecture, scalability, and reliability of the Tableflow project and the broader Confluent platform, shaping the future of data streaming.