Staff Software Engineer - Flink SQL

Confluent5 months ago

Location

Remote, United States

Workplace

Remote

Type

Full Time

Salary

USD 230,800 – 271,200

Level

Staff

Role

Staff Software Engineer

Posted

Oct 1, 2025

Full TimeRemoteStaff

The role

Summary

Confluent is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to develop core Flink SQL components for their cloud-native streaming platform. The role involves working with Apache Flink experts to create efficient query planning, parsing, and optimization systems, while also contributing to open source and mentoring other engineers.

What you'll do

Flink SQL Development: Develop and enhance Flink SQL components including logical query planner, parser, optimizer, and SQL runtime for efficient batch and streaming workloads

Quality Assurance: Ensure high code quality, comprehensive test coverage, thorough documentation, and long-term maintainability of all developed components

Component Design: Draft technical designs, facilitate stakeholder discussions, and moderate decision-making processes for Flink SQL implementations

Open Source Contribution: Contribute features and improvements to Apache Flink open source project while participating in community discussions and code reviews

Technical Leadership: Write technical blog posts and deliver presentations at meetups and conferences to establish Confluent as stream processing experts

Team Collaboration: Lead team meetings, maintain development processes, take strategic initiatives, and participate in on-call rotation schedules

Mentoring: Mentor junior engineers and help new team members get started with Apache Flink development and serverless architecture concepts

What we look for

Technical

Database Internals ExpertiseDeep knowledge of database internals, particularly query planning, optimization, and execution engines

Distributed Systems ExperienceExtensive hands-on experience designing and developing complex distributed systems at scale

Stream Processing KnowledgeStrong understanding of stream processing concepts, real-time data pipelines, and event-driven architectures

Apache Flink ProficiencyAdvanced experience with Apache Flink framework, SQL components, and streaming analytics

Education

Computer Science BackgroundBachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

Database Systems KnowledgeStrong foundation in database systems, query optimization, and data structures

Experience

Software Development Experience10+ years of relevant software development experience in enterprise environments

Cloud-Native DevelopmentExperience building and deploying cloud-native applications and microservices

Open Source ContributionsActive participation in open source communities, particularly in stream processing or database projects

Technical LeadershipExperience leading technical initiatives, mentoring team members, and driving architectural decisions

Skills

Required skills

Java ProgrammingExpert-level Java development skills for Apache Flink and distributed systems

Database Query OptimizationDeep understanding of SQL query planning, optimization techniques, and execution engines

Apache FlinkAdvanced knowledge of Flink architecture, SQL components, and streaming processing concepts

Distributed SystemsExtensive experience designing and implementing large-scale distributed systems

Problem SolvingStrong analytical skills to translate complex requirements into effective technical solutions

Technical CommunicationExcellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-team collaboration

Nice to have

Scala ProgrammingExperience with Scala for functional programming in big data ecosystems

Apache KafkaKnowledge of Kafka ecosystem and event streaming patterns

Cloud PlatformsExperience with AWS, GCP, or Azure cloud services and deployment

Apache CalciteFamiliarity with SQL parser and query optimizer frameworks

KubernetesContainer orchestration experience for cloud-native deployments

Community EngagementActive participation in stream processing communities and technical conferences

Compensation & benefits

Salary

USD 230,800 – 271,200 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Equity Compensation

Stock options and equity participation in company growth

Remote Work Flexibility

Fully remote position with flexible working arrangements across time zones

Professional Development

Conference speaking opportunities and technical community engagement support

Inclusive Culture

Equal opportunity workplace focused on belonging and diverse perspectives

Career Growth

Opportunities to lead technical initiatives and mentor other engineers

Interview process

1
Initial Screening — Phone or video call with recruiter to discuss background, role expectations, and compensation
2
Technical Phone Interview — 45-minute technical discussion covering distributed systems, database internals, and stream processing concepts
3
System Design Interview — Design a large-scale streaming data processing system focusing on query optimization and distributed architecture
4
Flink Deep Dive — Technical interview specifically focused on Apache Flink internals, SQL components, and streaming analytics
5
Coding Challenge — Practical coding exercise involving query optimization, data structures, or distributed systems problem-solving
6
Team Interview — Meet with potential team members to discuss collaboration style, technical approaches, and cultural fit
7
Final Interview — Discussion with senior leadership covering technical vision, open source contributions, and long-term career goals