At Docker, we make app development easier so developers can focus on what matters. Our remote-first team spans the globe, united by a passion for innovation and great developer experiences. With over 20 million monthly users and 20 billion image pulls, Docker is the #1 tool for building, sharing, and running apps—trusted by startups and Fortune 100s alike. We’re growing fast and just getting started. Come join us for a whale of a ride!Docker is building AI Cloud, the next evolution of our developer platform—a unified, multi-cloud service that seamlessly connects local development with global-scale deployment. Docker’s AI Cloud extends the power of Docker Desktop and Hub into the cloud, enabling developers to build, ship, and run applications securely and efficiently.As a Principal Software Engineer, you will define the technical vision and lead the design and implementation of Docker AI Cloud’s distributed systems. As a key member of the AI Cloud leadership team, you will partner with principal engineers across the company to architect scalable, reliable, and secure infrastructure that supports millions of developers and thousands of enterprises.ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership & ArchitectureDefine and drive the long-term technical strategy for Docker AI Cloud’s control and data plane servicesArchitect highly available, multi-region systems capable of operating seamlessly across multiple cloud providersDesign APIs and service abstractions that integrate Docker Desktop, Hub, and enterprise cloud servicesEstablish standards for reliability, scalability, and observability across the Docker AI Cloud platformLead cross-functional technical discussions and influence architectural decisions company-wideSystems Design & ImplementationDesign and implement distributed systems for workload orchestration, service discovery, and lifecycle managementBuild and operate control plane components that manage multi-tenant workloads and cloud networkingDevelop infrastructure that delivers predictable performance, intelligent scaling, and automated failoverEnsure security, data integrity, and compliance across Docker’s global infrastructure footprintPartner with platform and product teams to deliver developer-friendly APIs and cloud experiencesStrategic ImpactAlign technical direction with Docker’s business objectives for cloud growth and developer platform unificationEvaluate emerging technologies (e.g., service meshes, container orchestration, edge computing) and guide adoptionDrive initiatives that reduce latency, optimize cost, and improve cross-cloud performanceDefine metrics and SLAs for Docker AI Cloud’s reliability and scalabilityLeadership & MentorshipMentor senior, staff and principal engineers, fostering technical excellence and growth across teamsLead design reviews and guide critical production system decisionsDrive a culture of operational excellence, ownership, and innovationCollaborate with engineering and product leadership to align priorities and resource planningQualificationsRequired10+ years of software engineering experience, including 3+ years in technical leadership roles (Staff or Principal level)Proven experience designing and building highly scalable distributed systems in production environmentsDeep understanding of cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP, or OCI), including compute, networking, and storage primitivesProficiency in Go, Rust, or JavaExpertise in Kubernetes, microservices, and service mesh architecturesStrong foundation in observability, CI/CD, and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Pulumi, or CloudFormation)Experience operating high-availability (99.99%+) production systemsExceptional communication skills and ability to influence across technical and business domainsBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experiencePreferredExperience designing multi-cloud or cross-cloud abstractions and orchestration layersKnowledge of container lifecycle management, networking, and policy enforcementPrior experience in developer infrastructure, PaaS, or hyperscale SaaS environmentsBackground contributing to open source or developer-focused platforms is a plusDocker considers sponsorship on a case-by-case basis based on business needs.We use Covey as part of our hiring and / or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT. As part of the evaluation process we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound on April 13, 2024.Please see the independent bias audit report covering our use of Covey here.PerksFreedom & flexibility; fit your work around your lifeDesignated quarterly Whaleness Days plus end of year Whaleness breakHome office setup; we want you comfortable while you work16 weeks of paid Parental leaveTechnology stipend equivalent to $100 net/monthPTO plan that encourages you to take time to do the things you enjoyTraining stipend for conferences, courses and classesEquity; we are a growing start-up and want all employees to have a share in the success of the companyDocker SwagMedical benefits, retirement and holidays vary by countryRemote-first culture, with offices in Seattle and ParisDocker embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our company will be.#LI-REMOTE