# Staff Software Engineer, Observability

**Company:** [Astronomer](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/astronomer)
**Location:** New York, NY
**Role:** Backend Engineering
**Salary:** $275k – $377k/yr
**Experience:** 7+ years
**Skills:** Go, Python, Kubernetes, SQL, olap databases, Kafka, stream processing, Distributed Systems, CI/CD, apache airflow, Datadog, honeycomb
**Posted:** 2026-08-03

> Leads architecture and development of scalable observability platform components for customer data pipelines. Requires staff-level distributed systems and production infrastructure experience, with expertise in technologies such as Golang, Python, Kubernetes, Kafka, and stream processing.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end architecture and evolution of major platform components, making foundational design decisions for the observability platform.
- Build scalable, reliable, and performant features that provide visibility into customer data pipelines.
- Collaborate with product, design, and engineering teams to define and deliver high-impact initiatives.
- Write high-quality, maintainable code following best practices in testing, CI/CD, and operational excellence.
- Set and champion engineering standards for code quality, testing, design, and operational excellence.
- Improve and evolve the observability platform’s tooling, infrastructure, and processes.
- Lead and coordinate responses to complex production incidents, guiding rapid resolution and long-term improvements.
- Identify technical opportunities, risks, and gaps, and drive initiatives to address them.
- Mentor engineers through design reviews, pairing, and feedback.

## Requirements
- Strong technical experience building complex distributed systems.
- Experience with Golang, Python, Kubernetes, SQL/OLAP databases, Kafka, and stream processing.
- Hands-on experience designing, developing, and scaling production infrastructure.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
- Focus on delivering customer value through thoughtful technical solutions.
- Ability to work in ambiguous environments, break down open-ended problems, and drive them to completion.

## Nice-to-haves
- Experience building or scaling data observability products.
- Familiarity with Apache Airflow or similar workflow orchestrators.
- Background in observability, monitoring, or infrastructure at scale, such as Datadog or Honeycomb.
- Experience working directly with product teams.

## Compensation and Benefits
- Estimated salary range: **$275,000–$377,000**, based on leveling and geography.
- Equity component and comprehensive benefits package.

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