ServiceNow

Staff Software Engineer - Data Platform - Kubernetes - Distributed Systems - Federal

ServiceNow • $149K — $262K *
San Diego, CA 92154In-Person
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Experience integrating AI into engineering processes, including automation and workflow improvements.
  • 8+ years of software development experience with a Bachelor's degree; OR 5+ years with a Master's; OR 3+ years with a PhD; OR comparable experience.
  • 5+ years of operational experience with Kubernetes.
  • Hands-on experience with at least one major cloud provider (AWS, Azure, GCP), focusing on compute, networking, and IAM.
  • Proven ability to contribute to complex features or services effectively.
  • Expertise in containers, CI/CD, GitOps, and infrastructure-as-code principles.
  • Strong programming skills in Go or a similar systems language.

Responsibilities

  • Design, build, and manage cloud-native platform services from conception to production.
  • Lead and execute well-defined projects, crafting technical designs from abstract ideas and requirements.
  • Collaborate with senior technical staff to ensure alignment with platform architecture and standards.
  • Enhance the reliability and scalability of systems through testing and instrumentation, along with improving operational documentation.
  • Focus on hands-on development, including operators, controllers, automation, and essential platform services.
  • Mentor junior engineers through code reviews and collaborative programming.

Benefits

  • Flexible work environment with hybrid options requiring only 2 days in-office.
  • Health plans with flexible spending accounts and 401(k) Plan with company match.
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and matching donations program.
  • Flexible time-off policy and family leave initiatives.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Position Location:
This is a Flexible (Hybrid) position. Flexible positions require 2 days per week in a ServiceNow office location. We have offices in several locations, including San Francisco, CA; Pleasanton, CA; Santa Clara, CA; San Diego, CA; and Kirkland, WA

Please Note:This position will include supporting our US Regulated Markets.
"This position requires passing a ServiceNow background screening, USFedPASS (US Federal Personnel Authorization Screening Standards). This includes a credit check, criminal/misdemeanor check and taking a drug test. Any employment is contingent upon passing the screening. Due to Federal requirements, only US citizens, US naturalized citizens or US Permanent Residents, holding a green card, will be considered.

About the team:
We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer (IC4 Level) to join our Data Platform Engineering organization. You are a strong hands-on contributor who will own well-scoped components and projects within the team and deliver them end-to-end.

What you get to do in this role:
  • You will design, build, and operate components and services within the cloud-native platform, taking features from design through to production.
  • You will lead well-scoped projects within your team, turning requirements and rough ideas into solid technical designs and delivering them.
  • You will collaborate with senior, staff, and principal engineers to align your work with the platform's architecture and standards.
  • You will contribute to the reliability, scalability, and operability of what you build - writing tests and instrumentation, improving runbooks, and participating in on-call.
  • You will spend most of your time hands-on building - operators, controllers, automation, and platform services that other teams depend on.
  • You will help onboard and mentor junior engineers through code review, design feedback, and pairing.


Qualifications

To be successful in this role you have:
  • Experience leveraging or critically thinking about how to integrate AI into engineering work - whether using AI-powered coding and operational tooling, automating workflows, or reasoning about how AI changes the way software and infrastructure are built.
  • 8+ years of software development experience with a Bachelor's degree; OR 5+ years with a Master's degree; OR 3+ years with a PhD; OR equivalent work experience.
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience building, deploying and operating workloads on Kubernetes.
  • Working experience with at least one major hyperscaler (AWS, Azure, GCP), including its core compute, networking, and IAM primitives.
  • A track record of delivering complex features or services as a key contributor.
  • Solid working knowledge of containers, CI/CD and GitOps-based delivery, and infrastructure-as-code.
  • Strong programming skills in Go (or another systems language with a willingness to work primarily in Go).

It also helps if you have:
  • Experience building Kubernetes controllers or working with the operator pattern.
  • Familiarity with container networking (CNI) or service mesh.
  • Experience with workload identity, mTLS, or secrets management.
  • Experience with observability - metrics, tracing, and dashboards.
  • Experience with managed Kubernetes (EKS/AKS/GKE) and infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform.


For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $149,800 - $262,200, plus equity (when applicable), variable/incentive compensation and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the base pay shown is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location. We also offer health plans, including flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) Plan with company match, ESPP, matching donations, a flexible time away plan and family leave programs. Compensation is based on the geographic location in which the role is located and is subject to change based on work location.

Additional Information

Work Personas

We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work and their assigned work location. Learn more here. To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service.

About ServiceNow

ServiceNow provides cloud-based solutions that define, structure, manage, and automate services for enterprise operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and other countries. The company offers service management solutions, including incident, problem, change, request, and cost management as well as service catalogs; and IT, HR, facilities, and field service management solutions. It also provides IT operations management solutions covering service mapping, delivery, and assurance solutions; business management solutions such as financial management, project portfolio suite, vendor performance management, and performance analytics as well as governance, risk, and compliance; and application development services.

ServiceNow Careers

Join the dynamic team at ServiceNow, a global leader in digital workflow solutions, where innovation and leadership converge to shape the future of work. At ServiceNow, we offer more than just job opportunities; we provide a platform for professional growth and a chance to be part of a culture that values diversity, creativity, and continuous learning.

Work You’ll Do

Embark on a career journey with ServiceNow and contribute to the world’s leading enterprises' digital transformation. Our team is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies that improve how people work. With ServiceNow, you will use your skills to impact businesses and industries profoundly, driving efficiency and innovation.

Join Our Market-Leading Team

ServiceNow is not just another technology company. We are a team that thrives on diversity and leadership, fostering an inclusive environment that promotes growth and development. Our commitment to diversity training ensures that every team member can achieve their potential.

Innovative Work

ServiceNow is home to more than 10,000 dedicated professionals who lead the charge in digital workflows and enterprise solutions. As part of our team, you will engage in projects that merge technology with practical applications, creating revolutionary products that advance how services are delivered and managed.

Career Development

At ServiceNow, your career trajectory is filled with boundless opportunities. We support your growth with robust training programs, leadership development courses, and access to global challenges. Whether you are looking for an internship, full-time position, or leadership role, ServiceNow equips you with the tools to excel.

Be Part of a Great Team

Working at ServiceNow means being part of a community that values teamwork and innovation. Our collaborative environment encourages networking and sharing ideas, making our workplace vibrant and dynamic. The benefits of joining ServiceNow extend beyond comprehensive health and wellness; they include fostering professional connections and friendships that last a lifetime.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, ServiceNow offers a range of employment options to suit your career goals. From internships that provide real-world experience to full-time positions that challenge you to leverage your expertise, we are committed to hiring the best talent.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. At ServiceNow, we look for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. Explore the possibilities that await you at a company that is committed to your professional success.

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ServiceNow Careers

Empowering professionals to achieve more, ServiceNow is where careers are future-proofed, and ambitions are realized. Join us in our journey of growth and innovation.
Learn more about ServiceNow
Size
16,881 employees
Market Cap
$76.5 billion
Industry
Information Technology
Net Income
$118.5 million
Founded
2004
5 Year Trend
+33.5%
Revenue
$4.5 billion
NASDAQ
NOW
* Ladders Estimates

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