Senior Principal Software Engineer - Networking

About Docker Docker has been one of the most loved brands in developer tooling, trusted by more than 20 million monthly users and over 20 billion container image pulls. From solo founders to the world's largest companies, developers rely on Docker to build, share, and run their applications across our suite of products including Docker Desktop, Docker Hub, and Docker Scout. We are a globally distributed, remote-first team building the tools that define how software gets built and delivered. As AI agents redefine software development, Docker is at the center of that shift, providing the sandboxed environments, verified images, and secure infrastructure that make autonomous workflows trustworthy by default. _______________________________________________________________________ The Senior Principal Software Engineer is responsible for shaping and evolving the company’s technical landscape. In addition to designing, developing, and maintaining core systems, the Senior Principal Software Engineer provides strategic guidance to align technology initiatives with business goals. This role is vital in ensuring that the platform is secure, scalable, and performant—capable of supporting rapid growth and driving innovation. Responsibilities Technical Strategy & Architecture Define and drive the overarching technical vision, ensuring the platform meets current and future scalability, performance, and security needsEvaluate and select tools, frameworks, and architectures to maintain a state-of-the-art technology stack Leadership & Mentorship Provide technical leadership and guidance to the engineering organization, setting best practices and standards.Coach and mentor engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration Innovation & Research Investigate emerging technologies, frameworks, and best practicesLead prototyping initiatives and proof-of-concepts that can transform the platform’s capabilities Scalability & Performance Ensure the platform is designed for high performance and can seamlessly handle increasing user loadsOversee performance optimization, load balancing, and capacity planning strategies Reliability & Availability Design fault-tolerant, highly available systems that minimize downtime and deliver a seamless user experience Infrastructure AutomationAdvocate for and implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles, CI/CD pipelines, and automation best practicesContinuously refine deployment, testing, and operations processes to improve efficiency Security & Compliance Collaborate with security experts to ensure platform integrity, compliance with industry standards, and protection of sensitive dataProactively address security vulnerabilities and champion secure coding practices Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure technical initiatives support business objectivesDrive alignment between engineering roadmaps and product strategies Technical Problem-Solving Tackle complex architectural and technical issues, providing clear direction and innovative solutionsServe as an escalation point for critical system challenges Code Quality & Reviews Uphold coding standards through thorough code reviews, ensuring high-quality, maintainable codebasesEstablish and enforce best practices around testing, documentation, and version control Documentation & Knowledge Sharing Produce comprehensive technical documentation, including architectural diagrams, design guidelines, and operational runbooksPromote a transparent engineering culture by sharing insights and successes across the organization Qualifications 12+ years of software engineering experience with demonstrated expertise across multiple domains (SDLC, AI engineering, corporate systems, etc)Extensive software engineering experience, with a track record in designing and implementing large-scale, distributed systemsDeep technical expertise: Proficiency in multiple programming languages, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), and modern development frameworksLeadership acumen: Demonstrated ability to lead diverse engineering teams, inspire innovation, and drive successful outcomesArchitectural vision: Proven skill in defining and driving architectural roadmaps that align with evolving business needs.Problem-solving ability: Expertise in diagnosing complex system issues and designing robust, scalable solutionsCommunication skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of influencing both technical and non-technical stakeholders.Security conscious: Solid understanding of security best practices, compliance standards, and data protectionContinuous improvement mindset: Passion for optimizing processes, toolchains, and workflowsBachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience As a Senior Principal Software Engineer, you will not only architect innovative solutions but also shape the technical culture. Your leadership and expertise will be pivotal in building a resilient, cutting-edge platform that supports rapid growth and drives long-term success. Docker considers visa sponsorship on a case-by-case basis based on business needs. Compensation & Equity United States: $219K – $352K + equity ______________________________________________________________________ Posting Information Open vacancy: This posting is for an existing open role.AI in hiring: Docker may use AI-assisted tools during our recruiting process.Interview recordings: Candidates will be invited to opt in to interview recordings to support interviewer calibration and consistent evaluations. Recordings are optional and require explicit consent. ______________________________________________________________________ Perks & Benefits Remote-first by design – Work from your home, with offices in Seattle and Paris for connection and collaboration.Flexibility that fits your life – We trust you to manage your schedule while delivering great work.Time to recharge – Generous PTO, designated quarterly Whaleness Days, and a designated end-of-year Whaleness break.Home office support – Set up your workspace for comfort and success.Technology stipend – Equivalent to US$100 net per month to help support your work.Learning & development – Annual stipend for conferences, courses, certifications, and continued learning.Parental leave – 16 weeks of paid parental leave after six months of employment.Equity for all full-time employees – Share in Docker's long-term success as we continue to grow.Comprehensive benefits – Medical, retirement, and paid holidays vary by country.Docker swag – Because representing the whale never gets old. Docker is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe diverse teams build better products, make better decisions, and better serve our global community. Compensation Range: $219K - $352K