Docker

Principal Software Engineer, Networking (Seattle or SF Bay Area)

Docker • $198K — $319K *
Seattle, WA 98115In-Person
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years experience in large-scale cloud or distributed systems, emphasizing networking foundations.
  • Proven history of driving technical consensus and delivering scalable infrastructure software.
  • Background in microservices architecture, container networking, service mesh, and orchestration.
  • Familiarity with Linux networking, OVS/OVN, DPDK, eBPF technology.
  • Ability to design and operate highly available and secure networking infrastructure.
  • Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI) and scalability patterns.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills in distributed environments.

Responsibilities

  • Design and operate core networking services for Docker's Sandboxes platform.
  • Build scalable networking infrastructure for microVM orchestration and workload management.
  • Develop high-performance networking components for multi-tenant workloads.
  • Ensure reliability, observability, and performance of the network infrastructure.
  • Collaborate with product, platform, and security teams to enhance customer capabilities.
  • Engage in architectural discussions and code reviews.
  • Drive automation and improvements in CI/CD processes.
  • Debug production issues across local and cloud environments.

Benefits

  • Flexibility to fit work around life.
  • Quarterly Whaleness Days and year-end break.
  • Home office setup assistance for a comfortable workspace.
  • 16 weeks of paid parental leave after 6 months of employment.
  • $100/month technology stipend for remote work.
  • Encouragement of taking personal PTO.
  • Training stipend for professional development courses and conferences.
  • Equity stake in the growing start-up company for all employees.
  • Fun Docker-branded merchandise.
  • Remote-first work culture with local offices in Seattle and Paris.
Full Job Description
As a Principal Software Engineer in Networking, you will set the technical direction for the networking stack behind Docker's Sandboxes platform and make architectural decisions that ripple across Docker's product portfolio. Your work will directly enable Docker's expansion into AI and security products.

This role calls for someone who:
  1. Combines deep technical expertise in infrastructure at scale, virtual networking, service mesh, orchestration, and integration across the broader infrastructure stack;
  2. Communicates and collaborates well, thinks critically, and turns ideas into working systems
  3. Adapts to ambiguity and brings clarity
  4. Provides technical leadership to a small team of engineers, driving customer delight through the solutions they deliver


Responsibilities
  • Design, implement, and operate core networking services that power Docker's Sandboxes platform across local laptops and public cloud environments
  • Build scalable networking infrastructure for microVM orchestration, workload scheduling, and lifecycle management
  • Develop high-performance networking data- and control-plane components for multi-tenant agentic workloads
  • Ensure network reliability, observability, and performance across Docker's 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 local and public-cloud environments
  • Take part in on-call rotation for your team; respond to incidents and drive continuous improvement of system reliability and availability


Qualifications
  • 10+ years of experience building and leading large-scale cloud or distributed systems, with a focus on networking foundations
  • Track record of driving technical consensus and delivering high-quality infrastructure software at scale, on tight timelines
  • Experience with microservices architecture, container networking, service mesh, policy enforcement, and container orchestration
  • Experience with kernel and user-space networking technologies, including Linux networking, OVS/OVN, DPDK, and eBPF
  • Experience designing and operating highly available, secure, and observable networking infrastructure
  • Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI) 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


What to Expect
First 30 days
  • Onboard, integrate with our Sandbox infrastructure teams, and build context on Docker's Sandbox vision
  • Deep-dive into Sandbox architecture for local and public-cloud infrastructure, with a focus on driving simple, common foundational primitives usable across both environments
  • Identify the highest-leverage opportunities in the current architecture, along with strategic and tactical execution risks
First 90 days
  • Develop a technical roadmap to address the challenges identified; drive consensus across stakeholders
  • Provide technical leadership to a small team of engineers to deliver on the roadmap
  • Establish or improve technical standards for development, deployment, operation, and observability of networking services
One-year outlook
  • Drive simplification of foundational networking infrastructure across local and public-cloud environments
  • Establish repeatable engineering practices for quality, performance, and operational excellence
  • Nurture the team's confidence and capability by providing clarity, sustaining focus, and delivering pragmatically through successive iteration
  • Set a standard for what a small team of engineers can deliver and manage when given a charter, autonomy, and the tools they need


Docker considers visa sponsorship on a case-by-case basis based on business needs.

Compensation & Equity

United States: $198K - $319K + equity

Perks
  • Freedom & flexibility; fit your work around your life
  • Designated quarterly Whaleness Days plus end of year Whaleness break
  • Home office setup; we want you comfortable while you work
  • 16 weeks of paid Parental leave (after 6 months of employment)
  • Technology stipend equivalent to $100 USD net/month
  • PTO plan that encourages you to take time to do the things you enjoy
  • Training stipend for conferences, courses and classes
  • Equity; we are a growing start-up and want all employees to have a share in the success of the company
  • Docker Swag
  • Medical benefits, retirement and holidays vary by country
  • Remote-first culture, with offices in Seattle and Paris


#LI-REMOTE

About Docker

Docker is a software company that provides an open platform for developers and sysadmins to build, ship, and run distributed applications. The company was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Docker's platform allows developers to package their applications and dependencies into a single container, which can then be easily deployed to any environment. This makes it easier for developers to build and deploy applications, and helps to reduce the time and cost associated with managing complex application environments. Docker has a global presence, with operations in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Learn more about Docker
Size
1,000 employees
Industry
Enterprise Technology
Founded
2010
* Ladders Estimates

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