Senior Software Engineer II - Kafka Client

Confluent2 days ago

Location

IN Remote India

Type

Full Time

Salary

USD 85,000 – 130,000

Level

Senior

Role

Backend Engineer

Posted

Mar 12, 2026

Full TimeSenior

The role

Summary

Confluent seeks a Senior Software Engineer II for their Kafka Client team to design and build open source libraries across multiple programming languages, working on low-level Kafka protocols and developer experience improvements. The role requires 7+ years of software development experience with strong C/C++ and Java proficiency, plus 3+ years of SDK development experience.

What you'll do

Client Library Development: Build and enhance open source Kafka libraries using low-level Kafka protocol across multiple programming languages

API Enhancement: Improve language libraries to better standards and create more usable APIs for developer communities

Cross-functional Collaboration: Work effectively with engineering, product, field teams and stakeholders to create and execute impactful client team roadmap

Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership, mentorship and drive strong teamwork across the engineering organization

Strategic Planning: Integrate long-term needs from open source and partner teams into comprehensive technical plans

Technical Debt Management: Identify and manage technical debt while balancing long-term projects and immediate deliverables

Architectural Decisions: Drive architectural decisions and shape product landscape around client interfaces for ease of use and reliability

Multi-language Development: Work on language interfaces across popular programming languages while advancing core C/C++ capabilities

What we look for

Technical

Programming LanguagesDeep technical knowledge of at least two programming languages with proficiency in C/C++ and Java

SDK Development3+ years of development experience involving SDKs, language libraries, or client-side applications

Low-level Protocol KnowledgeUnderstanding of low-level Kafka protocol for building efficient client libraries

Client Library DesignExperience with API design patterns and client library interface best practices

Education

Computer Science DegreeBS or MS in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent work experience

Experience

Software Development7+ years of relevant software development experience in building scalable systems

Client-side Development3+ years specifically in SDK development, language libraries, or client-side applications

Technical LeadershipProven experience in leading and mentoring technical teams in complex software projects

Communication SkillsAbility to influence teams, peers, and management using effective communication and collaborative techniques

Skills

Required skills

C/C++ ProgrammingAdvanced proficiency in C/C++ for core client library development and low-level system programming

Java DevelopmentStrong Java skills for working with Kafka ecosystem and JVM-based components

SDK ArchitectureExperience designing and building software development kits and client libraries

API DesignUnderstanding of client library interface patterns and usability best practices

Technical LeadershipProven ability to lead technical teams and drive architectural decisions

Cross-functional CollaborationStrong communication skills for working with product, engineering, and field teams

Nice to have

Multi-language ProficiencyAdditional experience in Rust, Python, Go, JavaScript, or .NET for diverse client library development

Cloud PlatformsExperience with AWS, Azure, or GCP for SaaS service development and deployment

GraalVMTechnology migration experience using GraalVM for polyglot programming capabilities

Developer EvangelismInterest in giving technical talks at conferences and writing blog posts about Kafka

Open Source ContributionExperience contributing to open source projects and community engagement

Streaming TechnologiesDeep understanding of data streaming patterns and distributed systems architecture

Compensation & benefits

Salary

USD 85,000 – 130,000 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Equal Opportunity Workplace

Employment decisions based on job-related criteria without regard to protected classifications

Inclusive Culture

Belonging-focused environment that values different perspectives and backgrounds

Professional Growth

Opportunities to lead, grow, and challenge what's possible in data streaming technology

Remote Work Flexibility

Work across time zones with distributed team collaboration

Technical Conference Participation

Opportunities for evangelism through tech conferences and blog writing

Open Source Contribution

Work on widely-used open source Kafka client libraries impacting global developer communities

Interview process

1
Initial Screening — Phone or video call with recruiter to discuss background, role fit, and compensation expectations
2
Technical Phone Screen — 45-60 minute technical discussion covering C/C++, Java, and SDK development experience
3
System Design Interview — Design discussion focused on client library architecture, API design patterns, and scalability
4
Coding Interview — Live coding session in C/C++ or Java focusing on data structures, algorithms, and protocol implementation
5
Behavioral Interview — Leadership and collaboration assessment with engineering manager covering team dynamics and mentorship
6
Final Round — Panel interview with senior engineers and product managers covering technical vision and cultural fit