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Senior Principal Software Engineer, Infrastructure

Technical visionary architecting Docker's foundational platform for accounts, billing, data, governance, and infrastructure. Drives cross-company strategy enabling enterprise growth, requiring 12+ years experience in large-scale distributed systems.

251k – 352kSeattle, WADevOps / SRERemote12+ YOE

About the role

Responsibilities

Technical Vision & Strategic Planning

  • Define and own multi-year technical vision for foundational platform
  • Establish strategic plans and architectural decisions aligning with business objectives
  • Collaborate with VP of Engineering on technical roadmaps spanning multiple teams
  • Identify high-leverage platform investments
  • Develop architectural principles and standards
  • Anticipate future business needs for platform flexibility

Cross-Company Technical Leadership

  • Lead cross-company programs across Desktop, Hub, AI, Security, Cloud, Platform teams
  • Architect unified platform interfaces (Control Planes)
  • Drive system convergence for authentication, authorization, billing, observability
  • Establish technical contracts between platform and product teams
  • Lead architectural reviews
  • Proactively solve business-critical problems

Billing & Monetization Platform Architecture

  • Architect Billing Control Plane for rapid SKU launches
  • Design usage-based billing supporting complex pricing models
  • Ensure commercial flexibility for bundles, contracts, experimentation
  • Define metering infrastructure for usage events
  • Build scalable, accurate billing systems

Accounts & Identity Platform Architecture

  • Design metadata-driven identity platform
  • Architect account infrastructure for enterprise requirements
  • Define Centralized Access Control Service
  • Support consumer and enterprise scale
  • Design migration paths for existing users

Enterprise Governance Platform Architecture

  • Architect Unified Internal Access Control Endpoint
  • Design Enterprise Command Center
  • Define group management and RBAC with IdP sync
  • Build audit logging and observability for compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001)
  • Enable enterprise-ready new products

Data Platform Architecture

  • Define canonical data models
  • Architect real-time streaming infrastructure
  • Design self-service data capabilities
  • Support operational and analytical needs
  • Eliminate conflicting metrics

Infrastructure & Developer Experience Architecture

  • Define infrastructure platform vision
  • Architect standardized deployment patterns
  • Support AI and agent initiatives
  • Establish observability standards
  • Drive cost optimization

Technical Excellence & Influence

  • Drive operations and strategy with senior leaders
  • Mentor Staff and Principal engineers
  • Represent externally via blogs, talks
  • Participate in executive technical discussions
  • Drive build-vs-buy decisions

Qualifications

Required

Technical Expertise

  • 12+ years software engineering with platform domain expertise (identity, billing, data, infrastructure)
  • Track record architecting large-scale distributed systems
  • Deep expertise in ≥2 platform domains
  • Broad knowledge across all domains
  • Expert API design, service architecture, integration at scale
  • Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure); Kubernetes, service mesh, IaC
  • Bachelor's in CS/Engineering or equivalent

Strategic & Business Impact

  • Strategic plans enabling business outcomes
  • Translate business to technical roadmaps
  • Prioritize high-leverage investments
  • SaaS business models knowledge
  • Build-vs-buy experience

Leadership & Influence

  • Drive cross-company programs
  • Work with VPs/executives on strategy
  • Influence without authority
  • Strong communication
  • Mentor senior engineers

Enterprise Platform Experience

  • Platforms for enterprise governance/compliance
  • Security/compliance knowledge
  • Identity federation (OIDC, SAML, SCIM)
  • Enterprise billing complexity

Preferred

  • Developer tools/infra/SaaS experience
  • Container tech (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Multi-pricing billing platforms
  • Legacy migrations
  • Data platforms (streaming, warehousing)
  • FinOps/cost optimization
  • Advanced degree
  • External technical recognition

Perks & Benefits

  • Remote-first culture
  • Freedom & flexibility
  • Home office setup, tech stipend
  • 16 weeks paid parental leave
  • PTO, training stipend
  • Equity
  • Medical benefits, retirement (varies by country)
  • Offices in Seattle and Paris

Skills

KubernetesAWSGCPAzureAPI DesignDistributed SystemsIdentity ManagementBilling SystemsRBACReal-Time Streaming

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