Staff Software Engineer I - Confluent

IBM Software builds AI-powered, cloud-native products that drive digital transformation across diverse industries. The company fosters innovation and continuous learning, placing employees at the core of IBM's product and technology landscape.

• Track record of delivering complex systems projects with large scope, leading teams, setting project direction, and working with stakeholders.
• Experience using AI tools for coding and working backwards from customer needs.
• 4+ years driving staff-level or equivalent technical initiatives across multiple teams or components.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity, set direction, and align multiple teams around complex technical plans.
• Experience mentoring senior engineers and enabling delivery on high-risk, high-impact projects.
• Clear, concise technical communication skills, both written (design docs, KIPs) and verbal (reviews, forums).
• Prior experience as a committer/PMC or core maintainer on Apache Kafka or a similar project.

• Collaborate with the Apache Kafka community via KIPs, code contributions, reviews, and technical discussions, representing Confluent’s interests.
• Drive complex projects requiring technical acumen and judgment.
• Mentor and grow the team with guidance on design principles and software architecture.
• Insist on high standards for software quality.
• Communicate with product management and engineering leaders on roadmap, specs, and product interfaces.
• Drive operational excellence on reliability improvements, operational events, and supportability.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills to influence teams beyond immediate control.