# Senior Software Engineer, Docker Desktop, Desktop Systems Focus

**Company:** [Docker](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/docker)
**Location:** Remote
**Role:** Backend Engineering
**Salary:** $161k – $261k/yr
**Experience:** 6+ years
**Skills:** Go, operating systems, macOS, Windows, Linux, system apis, backend engineering, Platform Engineering, desktop development, virtualization, Networking, Containers, telemetry, CI/CD, Debugging
**Posted:** 2026-08-10

> Builds and maintains Docker Desktop lifecycle components, OS integrations, installers, updaters, and system services across macOS, Windows, and Linux. The role requires 6+ years of backend or platform engineering experience, strong operating-system fundamentals, and hands-on Go proficiency.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain lifecycle components, including installation, updates, startup, and system services.
- Improve Docker Desktop reliability and performance across macOS, Windows, and Linux.
- Build OS-level integrations, permissions models, and system behaviors such as administrator and administrator-less installs.
- Debug and resolve complex issues involving startup, crashes, and system interactions.
- Collaborate with platform and feature teams to integrate shared components.
- Contribute to documentation, technical design discussions, and knowledge sharing across the Desktop ecosystem.
- Write high-quality code with strong test coverage and support healthy engineering practices.
- Participate in an on-call rotation, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

## Requirements
- 6+ years of experience building backend software, with recent hands-on Go (Golang) proficiency.
- Strong backend and platform engineering experience.
- Strong understanding of operating systems, including macOS, Windows, or Linux system APIs and behavior.
- Ability to design modular, maintainable system components that scale across teams.
- Ability to debug complex system-level issues and improve reliability and performance.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work through ambiguity.
- Excellent communication skills, including written documentation and technical design discussions.
- Willingness to learn Go and contribute to a Go-based codebase.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

## Nice-to-Haves
- Experience with cross-platform desktop development.
- Familiarity with virtualization, networking, or container technologies.
- Experience with telemetry, diagnostics, or system observability.
- Exposure to release engineering or CI/CD systems.

## Compensation & Benefits
- United States compensation: **$160,900–$260,700 plus equity**.
- Remote-first flexibility.
- Quarterly and end-of-year Whaleness Days.
- Home office setup support.
- 16 weeks of paid parental leave after six months of employment.
- Technology stipend of $100 USD net per month.
- PTO plan.
- Training stipend for conferences, courses, and classes.
- Equity participation.
- Medical benefits, retirement, and holidays vary by country.

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