Senior Software Engineer II - Cloud Compute Platform at Confluent

Role Overview

As a Senior Software Engineer on the Compute Platform team at Confluent, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our cloud-native compute infrastructure. You will be a key technical leader, responsible for building and evolving our next-generation, multi-tenant platform that powers all of Confluent Cloud's diverse workloads. This platform orchestrates workloads across thousands of Kubernetes clusters globally, spanning multiple cloud service providers, and provides a unified abstraction layer for scheduling, lifecycle management, and operational excellence.

You will be deeply involved in critical systems, including multi-cluster workload orchestration, platform APIs and abstractions, cloud platform integration, multi-tenancy and security, and observability and operations. Your expertise in cloud-native distributed systems will be crucial in taking our platform to the next level, ensuring high availability, reliability, and security for our largest enterprise customers.

A Day in the Life

Here's a glimpse into what a typical day might look like for a Senior Software Engineer on the Compute Platform team:

• Start your day by reviewing the latest monitoring dashboards and identifying any potential issues in the compute infrastructure.
• Participate in a daily stand-up meeting with the team to discuss progress, roadblocks, and upcoming tasks.
• Work on designing and implementing new platform APIs to support evolving workload requirements, using Go and Kubernetes operators.
• Collaborate with product management and engineering leadership to refine the roadmap for Confluent's Compute Platform.
• Lead a technical design review for a new feature related to workload scheduling or network isolation.
• Mentor a junior engineer on the team, providing guidance on code reviews and best practices.
• Investigate and resolve a production issue related to workload placement or disruption management.
• Contribute to the team's knowledge base by documenting best practices and troubleshooting guides.
• Participate in an on-call rotation to respond to emergency incidents and ensure the stability of the platform.

Why Remote, United States?

This role is offered as a remote position within the United States. Confluent embraces remote work, recognizing the benefits of a distributed workforce. By allowing employees to work from anywhere in the US, we can tap into a wider pool of talent and provide a more flexible and inclusive work environment.

Working remotely offers numerous advantages, including:

• Flexibility: Set your own schedule and work from a location that suits your needs.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a better balance between your professional and personal life.
• No Commute: Save time and money by eliminating the daily commute.
• Increased Productivity: Focus on your work without the distractions of a traditional office environment.

Confluent provides the tools and support necessary for remote employees to thrive, including:

• Collaboration Tools: Access to communication and collaboration platforms like Slack, Zoom, and Google Workspace.
• Home Office Stipend: A stipend to help set up your home office.
• Regular Virtual Team Meetings: Opportunities to connect with your team and build relationships.
• Remote-Friendly Culture: A culture that values remote work and supports remote employees.

Career Path

At Confluent, we are committed to the growth and development of our employees. As a Senior Software Engineer II, you will have opportunities to advance your career in several directions.

• Technical Leadership: You can grow into a Staff Engineer or Principal Engineer role, taking on more responsibility for technical direction and mentorship.
• Management: You can transition into an Engineering Manager role, leading and managing a team of engineers.
• Specialization: You can specialize in a particular area of the Compute Platform, becoming a subject matter expert in multi-cluster orchestration, security, or observability.

Confluent provides resources and support for career development, including:

• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to be mentored by senior engineers and leaders.
• Training and Development: Access to online courses, conferences, and workshops.
• Performance Reviews: Regular performance reviews with your manager to discuss your progress and goals.
• Internal Mobility: Opportunities to move into different roles and teams within the company.

Salary and Benefits

Confluent offers a competitive salary and benefits package that is designed to attract and retain top talent. The estimated salary range for this role is $160,000 to $240,000 annually. The actual salary will be based on your experience, skills, and location.

In addition to salary, Confluent offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Employee Stock Options: Opportunity to own a piece of the company.
• 401(k) Plan: Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax savings accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Life Insurance and Disability Insurance: Protection for you and your family.
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling and support services.
• Wellness Programs: Resources and programs to support your physical and mental well-being.
• Professional Development: Opportunities to learn and grow your skills.
• Parental Leave: Generous paid leave for new parents.
• Commuter Benefits: Assistance with commuting costs (if applicable).
• Remote Work Support: Stipend to help set up your home office.

Confluent Culture

At Confluent, we believe that our people are our greatest asset. We foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.

Our core values include:

• Customer Obsession: We put our customers first and strive to exceed their expectations.
• Innovation: We are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
• Collaboration: We work together as a team to achieve our goals.
• Ownership: We take responsibility for our actions and results.
• Integrity: We act with honesty and transparency.

We offer a variety of programs and initiatives to support our employees, including:

• Employee Resource Groups: Groups for employees with shared interests or backgrounds.
• Diversity and Inclusion Training: Programs to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Volunteer Opportunities: Opportunities to give back to the community.
• Social Events: Events to connect with colleagues and build relationships.

How to Apply

If you are a passionate and talented Senior Software Engineer with a strong background in cloud-native distributed systems, we encourage you to apply for this position. To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter through our online application portal.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is Confluent Cloud? Confluent Cloud is a fully managed, cloud-native data streaming platform based on Apache Kafka.
2. What is the Compute Platform team responsible for? The Compute Platform team builds and maintains the infrastructure that powers all of Confluent Cloud's workloads.
3. What technologies does the team use? The team primarily uses Kubernetes, Go, and other cloud-native technologies.
4. What are the key responsibilities of this role? The key responsibilities include designing and implementing platform APIs, driving the technical roadmap, and ensuring the availability and reliability of the platform.
5. What skills are required for this role? The required skills include expertise in Kubernetes, Go, and cloud-native distributed systems.
6. What is the career path for this role? The career path includes opportunities to advance into technical leadership, management, or specialization roles.
7. What is the salary range for this role? The estimated salary range is $160,000 to $240,000 annually.
8. What benefits does Confluent offer? Confluent offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, and employee stock options.
9. What is the company culture like? Confluent fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
10. How do I apply for this role? You can apply by submitting your resume and cover letter through our online application portal.