Docker

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

Docker$170K — $275K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of experience in large-scale cloud or distributed systems with a focus on networking
  • Proven ability to drive technical consensus and deliver scalable infrastructure software
  • Experience with microservices architecture, container networking, and orchestration
  • Familiarity with Linux networking, OVS/OVN, DPDK, and eBPF
  • Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure and scalability patterns
  • Knowledge of CI/CD tooling and infrastructure-as-code
  • Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills in distributed systems
  • Strong communication skills for collaboration across remote teams
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience

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 data- and control-plane components for agentic workloads
  • Ensure network reliability and performance across Docker's Sandbox infrastructure
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver customer-focused capabilities
  • Participate in architectural discussions and code reviews
  • Contribute to automation and CI/CD improvements
  • Debug and resolve production issues across distributed systems
  • Take part in on-call rotation for incident response

Benefits

  • Freedom & flexibility to fit work around personal life
  • Quarterly Whaleness Days plus end-of-year break
  • Home office setup support
  • 16 weeks paid parental leave after 6 months
  • Monthly technology stipend
  • Encouragement of PTO for personal enjoyment
  • Training stipend for professional development
  • Equity in the company
  • Docker merchandise
  • Medical benefits and retirement plans vary by country
  • Remote-first culture with offices in Seattle and Paris
Full Job Description
As a Staff 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
  • 8+ 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: $170,350 - $275,550 + 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
Founded
2010

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