Staff Software Engineer - Apache Kafka

Confluent Inc.

Job Overview

Location

PL Remote Poland

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• As a Staff Software Engineer focused on Apache Kafka at Confluent, you will play a pivotal role in advancing the core technology that powers real-time data streaming for enterprises worldwide, directly impacting how organizations harness data for innovation and agility.
• You will collaborate with the global Apache Kafka community through KIPs, code contributions, and technical discussions, ensuring Confluent’s innovations align with ecosystem health while representing the company’s strategic interests in open-source governance.
• Your day-to-day responsibilities include driving high-complexity, multi-quarter technical projects across Kafka’s core components—clients, streams, broker, and backend services—by setting direction, aligning stakeholders, and leading engineering efforts with a focus on scalability, performance, and reliability.
• You will act as a force multiplier by mentoring senior engineers, advocating for strong design principles and architectural excellence, and fostering a culture of high standards in code quality, testing, and operational readiness.
• Engaging closely with product management and engineering leadership, you will translate roadmap goals into technical specifications, influence cross-team planning, and ensure deliverables meet both customer needs and platform integrity.
• You will lead operational excellence initiatives, including improving system reliability, diagnosing and resolving production events, and enhancing supportability through better observability, tooling, and incident response practices.
• Through clear verbal and written communication—such as design documents, review feedback, and cross-functional forums—you will influence technical direction beyond your immediate team, helping shape Confluent’s long-term platform strategy.
• Working in a remote-first, globally distributed environment, you will contribute to a culture of inclusion, intellectual curiosity, and egoless collaboration where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone is empowered to lead and grow.

🎯 Requirements

• Proven track record of delivering complex, large-scale systems projects spanning multiple quarters, including experience leading engineering teams, setting technical direction, and collaborating effectively with stakeholders.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience driving staff-level or equivalent technical initiatives across multiple teams or system components, demonstrating autonomy, judgment, and the ability to navigate ambiguity.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor senior engineers, enable high-impact outcomes, and lead through influence without formal authority, particularly in ambiguous or high-stakes technical environments.
• Strong technical communication skills, with experience writing design documents, KIPs, and delivering clear verbal feedback in reviews and cross-team forums.
• Hands-on expertise in Java and distributed systems, with deep familiarity with Kafka’s architecture, including clients, streams, broker, and related backend services.
• Prior experience as an Apache Kafka committer, PMC member, or core maintainer is a strong differentiator and highly preferred.

🏖️ Benefits

• Opportunity to work on the forefront of data streaming technology, contributing directly to Apache Kafka and shaping the future of real-time data infrastructure used by Global 2000 companies.
• Remote-first work model based in Poland, enabling flexibility and collaboration across global teams while maintaining work-life balance.
• Access to cutting-edge tools, AI-assisted development environments, and continuous learning resources to stay at the forefront of software engineering innovation.
• Inclusive, egalitarian culture where belonging is foundational—no egos, no solo acts, just smart, curious humans solving hard problems together.
• Professional growth through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and exposure to open-source governance and enterprise software development at scale.
• Alignment with IBM’s global benefits and equity framework following Confluent’s integration, offering stability and long-term career prospects within a technology leader.

Skills & Technologies

React

Kafka

Senior

Remote

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Confluent Inc.

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About Confluent Inc.

Confluent Inc. delivers a cloud-native data streaming platform built around Apache Kafka. It provides real-time data pipelines, stream processing, and event-driven architecture tools for enterprises. The company offers managed services, connectors, and analytics to unify data across on-premises and cloud environments. Industries use Confluent to power fraud detection, IoT, logistics, and customer experiences. Founded by Kafka creators, it operates globally with offices in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

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