Senior Software Engineer - Cloud Traffic at Confluent

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.

Role Overview

As a Senior Software Engineer in the Cloud Traffic team, you will be responsible for building and managing the networking fabric of Confluent Cloud. This is a strategic investment area with the potential to significantly impact the company's top and bottom line. You will focus on the performance, security, reliability, and cost optimizations for all traffic that ingresses and egresses a customer's Kafka cluster on Confluent Cloud.

You will be building large-scale distributed systems, with a focus on building and managing network data planes for containerized workloads in the cloud. We are looking for someone passionate about network data plane performance, scale, cost optimizations, and building robust software.

Day in the Life

Here’s a glimpse into what your day might look like:

• Start your day by reviewing the performance metrics of the Confluent Cloud network data plane, identifying any anomalies or areas for improvement.
• Participate in a design meeting to discuss the architecture of a new feature that will improve the security of the data plane.
• Write code to implement the new feature, ensuring it meets the performance, scalability, and reliability requirements.
• Test your code thoroughly, using both unit tests and integration tests.
• Deploy your code to the Confluent Cloud environment, monitoring its performance and stability.
• Collaborate with other engineers to troubleshoot any issues that arise.
• Contribute to open source projects related to cloud networking.
• Learn about new technologies and trends in the cloud networking space.

Why Remote in Texas?

Confluent embraces remote work, allowing you to work from the comfort of your home in Texas. This offers several advantages:

• **Flexibility:** Design your work schedule to fit your lifestyle.
• **Work-Life Balance:** Spend more time with family and friends, and pursue your hobbies.
• **No Commute:** Save time and money by eliminating the daily commute.
• **Access to Talent:** Confluent can hire the best talent regardless of location.
• **Cost of Living:** Texas offers a relatively lower cost of living compared to other tech hubs.

Career Path

At Confluent, we are committed to your professional growth. As a Senior Software Engineer, you can progress along several career paths:

• **Technical Lead:** Lead a team of engineers and be responsible for the technical direction of a project.
• **Principal Engineer:** Become a subject matter expert in a specific area of cloud networking and provide technical guidance to other engineers.
• **Architect:** Design and architect large-scale distributed systems.
• **Engineering Manager:** Manage a team of engineers and be responsible for their performance and development.

Salary & Benefits

The estimated salary range for this position in Texas is $140,000 - $220,000 per year. Confluent also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Stock options
• 401(k) plan
• Professional development opportunities
• Remote work stipend

Confluent Culture

Confluent is a company that values innovation, collaboration, and customer success. We are a team of smart, curious, and passionate people who are committed to building the best data streaming platform in the world. We offer a challenging and rewarding work environment where you can learn and grow your skills. 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.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please apply online through the Confluent Careers website. Be sure to include your resume and a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and skills.

FAQ

1. **What is Confluent Cloud?** Confluent Cloud is a fully managed data streaming platform based on Apache Kafka.
2. **What is the Cloud Traffic team responsible for?** The Cloud Traffic team is responsible for building and managing the networking fabric of Confluent Cloud.
3. **What skills are required for this position?** The required skills include experience with cloud infrastructure, cloud networking, Kubernetes, distributed systems, and programming languages such as C++, Go, or Python.
4. **What is the career path for this position?** As a Senior Software Engineer, you can progress to Technical Lead, Principal Engineer, Architect, or Engineering Manager.
5. **What is the salary range for this position?** The estimated salary range for this position in Texas is $140,000 - $220,000 per year.
6. **What benefits does Confluent offer?** Confluent offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, stock options, and a 401(k) plan.
7. **What is the work environment like at Confluent?** Confluent offers a challenging and rewarding work environment where you can learn and grow your skills.
8. **Is this a remote position?** Yes, this position is remote and can be based in Texas.
9. **What is Confluent's approach to diversity and inclusion?** 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.
10. **What are some of the challenges faced by the Cloud Traffic team?** Some of the challenges faced by the Cloud Traffic team include ensuring the performance, security, reliability, and cost optimization of the Confluent Cloud network data plane.