# Staff Engineer, Guardian

**Company:** [Launchdarkly](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/launchdarkly)
**Location:** Remote
**Role:** Fullstack Engineering
**Salary:** $183k – $295k/yr
**Experience:** 12+ years
**Skills:** Observability, OpenTelemetry, Apm, Distributed Tracing, Error Tracking, Feature Flags, Statistical Analysis, Event-Based Metrics, Data Platforms, Backend Services, Cloud-Native Infrastructure
**Posted:** 2026-04-29

> Staff Engineer on Guardian team prototypes innovative observability and release safety features at feature flags intersection, leads 0-to-1 product development, and drives thought leadership in observability. Requires 12+ years full-stack experience, expertise in observability ecosystem, and autonomous problem-solving.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Prototyping / 0-to-1 innovation: lead exploration and prototyping of new product concepts at the intersection of feature flags and observability, from integrations to new implementations. Operate with high autonomy to identify opportunities, rapidly validate ideas through proof of concepts, and define technical direction for net-new product areas.
- Observability domain expertise and thought leadership: bring deep domain expertise in observability systems and apply it to reimagine how engineering teams understand real-time impact of software changes. Serve as team's resident expert on evolving observability landscape, translating trends and customer pain points into product prototypes.
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners (product, design, data science, engineering) to architect and advance observability products. Facilitate strategic discussions aligning technical solutions with business goals.
- Stay at forefront of development trends, observability, and data-driven product evolution. Suggest and implement improvements in tools, processes, and methodologies.
- Proactively identify opportunities for product and user experience improvements using data insights and feedback. Lead implementation balancing user needs, business goals, and technical feasibility.

## Qualifications
- 12+ years of professional software engineering experience, with track record of shipping production-quality full-stack features.
- Experience with observability systems, statistical analysis pipelines, and event-based metrics infrastructure.
- Strong architectural understanding of data platforms, backend services, and cloud-native infrastructure.
- Experience leading 0-to-1 product development from exploration through proof of concept.
- Deep familiarity with observability ecosystem (**APM**, distributed tracing, **OpenTelemetry**, error tracking).
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously with minimal direction.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.

## Pay
Target pay ranges for Level 5 based on Geographic Zones:
- **Zone 1** (San Francisco/Bay Area or NYC Metropolitan Area, Boston, Seattle): $214,800 - $295,350
- **Zone 2** (Irvine, LA, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa, Austin, Portland, Philadelphia, Chicago): $193,400 - $265,870
- **Zone 3** (All other US locations): $182,600 - $251,020

Exact compensation varies based on skills, experience, and location. Includes **RSUs**, health, vision, dental insurance, and mental health benefits.

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