Staff Software Engineer - Confluent Cloud Traffic Engineering

The Confluent Cloud Traffic Engineering team at IBM is building and operating the mission-critical cloud network data plane platform that underpins Confluent Cloud connectivity. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will help shape high-performance, scalable, reliable, and resilient systems while leading execution in production environments.

This role blends deep engineering ownership with technical leadership across networking, cloud infrastructure, and multi-tenancy. You will also collaborate with the broader ecosystem by building on open source software and engaging with upstream community efforts, while troubleshooting and improving operations across complex, cloud-based stacks.

Responsibilities

• Build the software that supports IBM’s mission-critical Confluent Cloud network data plane platform.
• Architect, design, develop, and operationalize high performance, scalable, reliable, and resilient systems.
• Drive important technical initiatives with business impact in areas including networking, cloud infrastructure, and multi-tenancy.
• Independently drive execution of software projects and technically lead a team of engineers to deliver quality-focused impact in production.
• Build on open source software and engage with upstream communities to deliver business impact.
• Troubleshoot issues and improve operations for a complex technical stack spanning three clouds, including microservices, containers, and virtualization.

Requirements

• 8+ years of relevant cloud infrastructure and/or cloud networking experience.
• Strong fundamentals in distributed systems design and development.
• Experience building and operating large-scale systems.
• Solid understanding of basic systems operations, including storage, network, and operating systems.
• Proficiency in C++, Go, Python, or another statically typed language.
• Experience and/or knowledge with public clouds such as AWS, , or GCP.
• Experience building and operating Layer 7 proxies, especially cloud-native proxies such as Envoy.

Technologies

• C++, Go, Python
• AWS, Azure, GCP
• Envoy
• Kubernetes, microservices, containers, virtualization

Preferred Skills

• Open source contributions to CNCF projects.
• Experience with Kubernetes Networking.
• Strong networking background combined with software engineering experience.

Benefits

• Healthcare benefits including medical and prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health and well-being.
• 401(k), cash balance pension plan, IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Opportunities for performance-based salary incentive programs.
• Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, and 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, plus other Paid Care Leave programs.
• Training and educational resources on a personalized, AI-driven learning platform to grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications.
• Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving and volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services, and experiences.

Location: Seattle, WA (remote). This job can be performed from anywhere in the US.

Compensation: USD 161,000 - 299,000 per year. Salary varies based on job-related skills, experience, and location.

Work authorization: IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Candidates must be able to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Minimum education: Education in computer science or a related field, or equivalent work experience.