Staff Software Engineer

Business Area:

Professional Services

Seniority Level:

Mid-Senior level

Job Description:

At Cloudera, we empower people to transform complex data into clear and actionable insights. With as much data under management as the hyperscalers, we're the preferred data partner for the top companies in almost every industry. Powered by the relentless innovation of the open source community, Cloudera advances digital transformation for the world’s largest enterprises.

The Leading Emergent Engineering Taskforce (LEET) is a new, agile operational unit designed to execute on Cloudera’s most critical strategic initiatives. Operating as an "empowered pod," we bridge the gap between abstract requirements and real-world execution, tackling both complex customer integrations and high-impact internal engineering projects. We move with the velocity of a startup while leveraging the massive scale of the Cloudera Data Platform.

As a Staff Software Engineer, you are the primary Product Builder of the taskforce. You own the end-to-end implementation of features—from the database schema to the user interface.

We are looking for an engineer with strong product instincts who can move fast without breaking things. You will collaborate closely with the Applied Engineers to transform abstract requirements into tangible, interactive applications for both internal developer platforms and external B2B initiatives. You will architect the user experience of our data tools, ensuring that the complexity of petabyte-scale data is presented with clarity and precision.

As a Staff Software Engineer you will:

• End-to-End Execution: Independently determine the best implementation approach for assigned features. You will write high-performance Java code for the API layer, and should feel comfortable navigating between the persistence and front-end aspects of a solution, ensuring seamless integration.
• Rapid Prototyping: Transform whiteboard sketches and mock-ups into working software with high velocity. You enable the taskforce to put working code in front of customers early, validating assumptions through interaction rather than documentation.
• API Design: Design and implement robust APIs that decouple the frontend from our heavy backend systems, ensuring that user interfaces remain responsive even when the underlying clusters are under load.
• Product Ownership: Think beyond the code. You will prioritise "Time to Value" and user experience, pushing back on over-engineering when a simpler solution delivers the customer outcome faster.
  

We’re excited about you if you have:

• Experience: 6+ years of multi-faceted software development experience.
• Frontend Architecture: Proficiency in modern component-based frontend frameworks (regardless of the specific library) and the ability to manage complex state in the browser.
• Backend Competence: Strong working knowledge of Java for backend service development. You understand how to write efficient API endpoints and interact with databases. Other languages welcome: Rust, Go, Python.
• Good grasp of Unix-like operating systems: Linux and MacOS are especially valuable.
• Kubernetes and containerisation: You know how to containerise services, and how to manage them.
• Data Fluency: You are comfortable writing SQL and interacting with data platforms. You understand that a pretty UI is useless if the underlying query takes 30 seconds to run.
• Visual Design Sensibility: While you are an engineer, you possess a solid grasp of UI/UX principles. You can build interfaces that are intuitive and accessible without needing a designer to specify every pixel.
  

You may also have:

• Experience with advanced data visualisation techniques for rendering large datasets.
• Background in building internal tools, developer platforms, or B2B SaaS applications.

What you can expect from us:

• Generous PTO Policy

• Support work life balance with Unplugged Days

• Flexible WFH Policy

• Mental & Physical Wellness programs

• Phone and Internet Reimbursement program

• Access to Continued Career Development

• Comprehensive Benefits and Competitive Packages

• Paid Volunteer Time

• Employee Resource Groups

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