Staff Software Engineer - Apache Kafka

Confluent3 days ago

Location

PL Remote Poland

Workplace

Remote

Type

Full Time

Salary

PLN 636,200 – 756,850

Level

Staff

Role

Staff Software Engineer

Posted

Mar 23, 2026

Full TimeRemoteStaff

The role

Summary

Confluent is seeking a highly skilled Staff Software Engineer to work on Apache Kafka, driving complex technical initiatives and collaborating closely with the Apache Kafka community. The ideal candidate will be a technical leader who can mentor teams, improve system performance, and contribute to the evolution of the data streaming platform.

What you'll do

Apache Kafka Community Collaboration: Actively engage with the Apache Kafka community through KIPs (Kafka Improvement Proposals), code contributions, reviews, and technical discussions while representing Confluent's interests.

Technical Leadership: Drive complex, high-impact projects requiring advanced technical acumen and ability to navigate ambiguous scenarios across multiple teams and components.

Team Development: Act as a force multiplier by mentoring senior engineers, providing guidance on software design principles, and fostering team growth and technical excellence.

Operational Excellence: Improve system reliability, drive operational improvements, and enhance supportability of the Kafka software stack.

Cross-Functional Communication: Effectively communicate with product management and engineering leaders to align on roadmap, specifications, and product interfaces.

What we look for

Technical

Apache Kafka ExpertiseDeep understanding of Apache Kafka architecture, components, and ecosystem

System DesignAdvanced skills in designing complex, scalable distributed systems

Performance OptimizationProven ability to improve system performance and efficiency

Education

Advanced DegreeBachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field preferred

Experience

Senior Technical Leadership4+ years of staff-level technical initiatives across multiple teams or components

Complex Project DeliveryTrack record of delivering large-scale, multi-quarter system projects

Skills

Required skills

Distributed SystemsAdvanced knowledge of distributed system design and implementation

Technical LeadershipAbility to lead complex technical initiatives and mentor senior engineers

CommunicationStrong verbal and written communication skills for cross-team collaboration

Nice to have

Apache Kafka CommitterPrior experience as a committer/PMC or core maintainer on Apache Kafka or similar open-source projects

AI Coding ToolsExperience using AI tools for coding and development

Compensation & benefits

Salary

PLN 636,200 – 756,850 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Equity

Stock options or equity compensation as part of the total package

Inclusive Workplace

Commitment to diversity, equal opportunity, and creating an inclusive work environment

Interview process

1
Initial Screening — Preliminary review of application and resume
2
Technical Interview — In-depth technical discussion of experience and capabilities
3
Design Challenge — Complex system design assessment to evaluate architectural skills
4
Leadership Interview — Assessment of technical leadership and mentorship capabilities
5
Final Discussions — Meeting with senior leadership and final offer negotiations