Senior Engineering Manager, Local Runtime (East Coast preferred)

About the Role

The Local Runtime team is a critical component of Docker's AI strategy, and as its leader, you will be expected to collaborate closely with product management, engineering teams, and stakeholders to align the team's goals with business objectives. Your expertise in low-level systems programming, virtualization, and container runtimes will be essential in making sound architectural decisions and driving the team towards engineering excellence.

As a leader in a remote-first company, you will need to be comfortable with a high degree of autonomy, able to work effectively across time zones, and skilled at facilitating communication across teams.

What You Will Do

• Lead a team of 6-10 engineers building Docker's cross-platform runtime across Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Own the technical direction and roadmap for the Local Runtime team
• Partner closely with product management to align the team with business and product goals
• Ensure predictable delivery and operational excellence across the components the team ships
• Hire and retain top systems engineering talent
• Hold a high bar for engineering excellence
• Facilitate communication across teams and provide status reporting for critical projects
• Manage line reports and build a rapport with team members
• Participate in status reporting and reliability reviews
• Work with the team to understand the group and team missions

What We Are Looking For

• 5+ years of experience managing high-performing engineering teams
• 5+ years of hands-on systems programming experience (hypervisors, container runtimes, OS internals, kernel development, or similar low-level infrastructure)
• Deep understanding of virtualization concepts: VMMs, hypervisors, and hardware-assisted virtualization
• Experience with container runtimes (OCI, containerd, runc) or equivalent low-level infrastructure
• Cross-platform systems experience across two or more of: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Comfortable with a high degree of autonomy and the ability to work remotely across time zones
• Experience with Excel and other productivity tools

Nice to Have

• Experience with AI-driven software development and AI workloads
• Knowledge of Docker's products and technologies (Docker Desktop, Docker Hub, Docker Scout)
• Experience with Agile development methodologies and version control systems (Git)
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunity to work with a talented team of engineers and contribute to the development of cutting-edge technology
• Flexible working hours and remote work options
• Professional development opportunities and training
• Access to the latest technologies and tools
• Collaboration with a global community of developers and engineers
• Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance
• Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs
• Generous parental leave and family benefits
• Retirement savings plan and matching contributions

• To stand out as a candidate, be prepared to showcase your technical expertise in low-level systems programming, virtualization, and container runtimes.
• Highlight your experience in leading high-performing engineering teams and driving technical direction.
• Familiarize yourself with Docker's products and technologies, as well as the company's mission and values.
• Emphasize your ability to work effectively in a remote-first environment and facilitate communication across teams.
• Be prepared to provide specific examples of your experience with agile development methodologies and version control systems.
• Showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to make sound architectural decisions.
• Demonstrate your passion for innovation and great developer experiences.