Senior Software Engineer II

Confluent1 weeks ago

Location

Remote, Ontario, Canada

Workplace

Remote

Type

Full Time

Salary

CAD 179,200 – 210,600

Level

Senior

Role

Backend Engineer

Posted

Mar 5, 2026

Full TimeRemoteSenior

The role

Summary

Confluent is seeking a Senior Software Engineer II to lead critical backend systems for their data streaming platform built on Apache Kafka. This technical leadership role involves designing large-scale distributed services across cloud environments while mentoring engineers and driving cross-functional collaboration.

What you'll do

System Design Leadership: Own and lead the design and implementation of complex backend services and systems in cloud-native, microservices-based environments

Architecture Decision Making: Make critical architecture and technical decisions balancing reliability, scalability, performance, and operability while communicating tradeoffs

End-to-End Project Delivery: Drive projects from requirements gathering and design through implementation, rollout, and ongoing production operations

Service Reliability Engineering: Improve service reliability by defining SLOs/SLAs, strengthening observability, and participating in on-call rotations

Cross-Team Collaboration: Collaborate across teams to define APIs, integration points, and data models maintaining platform coherence and evolvability

Platform Improvement: Identify and drive platform and productivity improvements including tooling, automation, and process enhancements

Technical Mentorship: Mentor and support other engineers through code reviews, design reviews, and technical guidance to grow team capabilities

Culture Development: Contribute to continuous improvement culture, inclusive collaboration, and maintaining high technical standards

What we look for

Technical

Backend Programming ExpertiseDeep proficiency in Java, Go, C/C++, or Python with strong fundamentals in data structures, algorithms, and system design

Distributed Systems ExperienceHands-on experience with event-driven architectures, high-throughput services, and large-scale data pipelines

Cloud Platform ProficiencyStrong experience running services on AWS, GCP, or Azure with container orchestration using Docker and Kubernetes

Database Systems KnowledgeExperience with SQL and NoSQL databases including data modeling and performance optimization for scale

Observability and OperationsExperience with metrics, logging, tracing, incident response, and postmortem processes

Education

Computer Science DegreeBS, MS, or PhD in computer science, engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience

Experience

Backend Systems Experience5+ years of industry experience building, scaling, and operating backend systems in production environments

Technical LeadershipTrack record of driving projects, influencing architecture, and coordinating work across multiple engineers or teams

Communication SkillsStrong ability to align stakeholders, explain complex technical concepts clearly, and drive decision-making processes

Skills

Required skills

Backend Programming LanguagesDeep proficiency in Java, Go, C/C++, or Python with strong algorithmic foundation

Distributed Systems ArchitectureExperience with event-driven architectures, consistency models, and fault tolerance patterns

Cloud InfrastructureProduction experience with AWS, GCP, or Azure including containerization and orchestration

Database SystemsHands-on experience with both SQL and NoSQL databases with performance optimization skills

Technical LeadershipProven track record of driving technical projects and mentoring engineering teams

System ReliabilityExperience with observability, SLO/SLA definition, and production incident management

Nice to have

Data Streaming TechnologiesFamiliarity with Apache Kafka, Apache Flink, or similar streaming platforms

Mission-Critical SystemsExperience with multi-tenant, multi-region services with strict availability requirements

Security and CompliancePrevious work in security, governance, or compliance-sensitive backend domains

Cross-Organizational ImpactDemonstrated impact beyond immediate team through technical vision or platform investments

Open Source ContributionsContributions to open source projects, technical writing, or speaking engagements

Compensation & benefits

Salary

CAD 179,200 – 210,600 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Equity Participation

Stock options and equity compensation as part of total compensation package

Remote Work Flexibility

Fully remote position with flexible work arrangements across time zones

Inclusive Workplace Culture

Equal opportunity workplace with focus on belonging and diverse perspectives

Professional Development

Opportunities for technical leadership, mentorship, and cross-organizational impact

Technical Growth

Work with cutting-edge data streaming technologies and large-scale distributed systems

Interview process

1
Initial Screening — Phone or video screening with talent acquisition to discuss background, interests, and role alignment
2
Technical Assessment — Coding interview focusing on data structures, algorithms, and system design fundamentals
3
System Design Interview — In-depth discussion of distributed systems architecture, scalability patterns, and design tradeoffs
4
Technical Deep Dive — Detailed technical interview covering backend technologies, cloud platforms, and operational excellence
5
Team Matching Interview — Discussion with potential team leads to align experience and interests with specific team needs
6
Cultural Fit Interview — Behavioral interview assessing collaboration skills, technical leadership, and alignment with company values
7
Final Interview — Senior leadership interview to discuss career goals, technical vision, and long-term impact potential