Staff Software Engineer, Cloud Sandboxes (West Coast)
WFA Digital Insight
As the demand for cloud infrastructure specialists continues to grow, with over 50% of companies shifting to cloud-based solutions, Docker is at the forefront of this transition. With a strong focus on developer experience and security, this role offers a unique opportunity to work on scalable and reliable systems. Candidates with expertise in distributed systems, container orchestration, and cloud infrastructure will find this role particularly appealing. Before applying, it's essential to consider the required skills, including proficiency in Go and/or Java, and experience with Kubernetes and microservices architecture.
Job Description
About the Role
The Staff Software Engineer position at Docker is a critical role that involves designing and building the core systems that power Docker's cloud agentic platform. As a key member of the Cloud Sandboxes team, you will focus on creating scalable, reliable, and secure infrastructure that enables developers to deploy and manage agentic workloads efficiently and with confidence. Your work will have a direct impact on the developer experience, and you will be instrumental in shaping the future of Docker's platform.The Cloud Sandboxes team is a globally distributed, remote-first team that is passionate about building tools that define how software gets built and delivered. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will collaborate with product, platform, and security teams to deliver customer-focused capabilities. You will also participate in architectural discussions, code reviews, and design documents to ensure that the systems you build are of the highest quality.
Docker is a company that is dedicated to providing the sandboxed environments, verified images, and secure infrastructure that make autonomous workflows trustworthy by default. As AI agents redefine software development, Docker is at the center of this shift, and this role offers a unique opportunity to be part of this exciting journey.
What You Will Do
- Design, implement, and operate core services that power Docker's Cloud Sandboxes platform
- Build scalable systems for microVM orchestration, workload scheduling, and lifecycle management
- Develop high-performance APIs and control plane components for managing multi-tenant workloads
- Ensure system reliability, observability, and performance across Docker's Cloud Sandbox infrastructure
- Collaborate with product, platform, and security teams to deliver customer-focused capabilities
- Participate in architectural discussions, code reviews, and design documents
- Contribute to automation and CI/CD improvements across the deployment pipeline
- Debug and resolve production issues across distributed systems in cloud environments
- Take part in on-call rotation for your team; respond to incidents, debug production issues, and drive continuous improvement of system reliability
What We Are Looking For
- 10+ years of backend software engineering experience building large-scale cloud or distributed systems
- Strong proficiency in Go and/or Java
- Deep understanding of container orchestration, Kubernetes, and microservices architecture
- Experience designing and operating highly available, secure, and observable production systems
- Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and related scalability patterns
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, and infrastructure-as-code tooling
- Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills in distributed environments
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across remote, cross-functional teams
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
Nice to Have
- Experience contributing to cloud-scale compute platforms or container infrastructure products
- Knowledge of service mesh, networking, or policy enforcement systems
- Experience with observability stacks (Prometheus, OpenTelemetry, Grafana, etc.)
- Familiarity with security best practices for multi-tenant cloud systems
- Prior experience in developer infrastructure, cloud platforms, or hyperscale environments
Benefits and Perks
- Freedom and flexibility to fit your work around your life
- Designated quarterly Whaleness Days plus end of year Whaleness break
- Home office setup to ensure you are comfortable while working
- Opportunities for career growth and professional development
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment with a team of experienced professionals
- Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools
- Recognition and reward for outstanding performance and contributions
- Comprehensive health and wellness programs
- Generous paid time off and holiday policy
How to Stand Out
- Tip: Make sure to highlight your experience with distributed systems, container orchestration, and cloud infrastructure in your resume and cover letter.
- Tip: Showcase your proficiency in Go and/or Java, and be prepared to provide examples of your coding skills.
- Tip: Research Docker's products and services, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the company's mission.
- Tip: Emphasize your ability to work collaboratively in a remote environment, and highlight your excellent communication skills.
- Tip: Be prepared to provide examples of your problem-solving and debugging skills in distributed environments, and highlight your experience with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code tooling.
- Tip: Consider creating a portfolio that showcases your work on cloud-scale compute platforms or container infrastructure products, and be prepared to discuss your experience with service mesh, networking, or policy enforcement systems.
- Tip: Research the company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how you align with them.
This is a remote position listed on WFA Digital, the platform for professionals who work from anywhere. Browse more remote jobs across all categories.