Senior Software Engineer, Backend Systems (US East Coast)

Docker3 months ago

Location

United States

Workplace

Remote

Type

Full Time

Salary

USD 184,600 – 260,700

Level

Senior

Role

Backend Engineer

Posted

Dec 5, 2025

Full TimeRemoteSenior

The role

Summary

Docker is seeking a Senior Software Engineer for its Developer Experience (DevEx) team, focusing on backend systems that power critical infrastructure for Docker Scout and Hardened Images. The ideal candidate will be a versatile engineer comfortable working across Clojure and Go, capable of leading technical design, mentoring teams, and driving platform evolution in a dynamic, remote-first environment.

What you'll do

Backend System Development: Design, build, and maintain backend systems and APIs in Clojure and Go, focusing on reliability and performance

Technical Leadership: Lead small feature teams through planning, execution, and delivery while mentoring engineers during technology transitions

Architectural Innovation: Make pragmatic architectural decisions and contribute to long-term technical direction of backend infrastructure

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Product, Design, and engineering teams to deliver comprehensive technical solutions

System Reliability: Improve observability, performance, and security of backend services while participating in on-call rotations

What we look for

Technical

Programming LanguagesStrong programming skills in Clojure or Go, with demonstrated ability to learn and work across both languages

Distributed SystemsExtensive experience designing and maintaining distributed systems or microservices architectures

Cloud InfrastructureStrong understanding of cloud-native systems (AWS or GCP), API design, and data store management

Education

Academic QualificationBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; equivalent practical experience acceptable

Experience

Professional ExperienceMinimum 6+ years of directly applicable backend engineering experience

Technical MentorshipProven track record of mentoring engineers and guiding projects from design to successful delivery

Skills

Required skills

Backend DevelopmentRobust experience in building and operating production backend systems

Remote CollaborationExcellent communication skills in async-first, remote work environments

Technical Problem SolvingPractical approach to balancing technical depth with business outcomes

Nice to have

Polyglot ProgrammingExperience working in polyglot environments or technology migration scenarios

Advanced ArchitectureFamiliarity with event-driven architectures, Datomic, or Kafka

Programming ParadigmsBackground in functional programming or systems programming

Compensation & benefits

Salary

USD 184,600 – 260,700 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Remote Flexibility

Remote-first work culture with global team collaboration

Parental Leave

16 weeks of paid parental leave

Technology Stipend

$100 monthly technology setup allowance

Learning Budget

Training stipend for conferences, courses, and professional development

Equity Offering

Stock options to share in company's growth and success

Home Office Support

Comprehensive home office setup support

Interview process

1
Initial Screening — Initial resume and background review
2
Technical Phone Screen — Detailed discussion of technical background and experience
3
Technical Interview — In-depth technical assessment covering Clojure, Go, and systems design
4
Team Fit Interview — Evaluation of collaboration skills and alignment with Docker's engineering culture
5
Final Leadership Interview — Conversation with senior engineering leadership about long-term potential