Senior Software Engineer, Runtime Container Platform
At Docker, we make app development easier so developers can focus on what matters. Our remote-first team spans the globe, united by a passion for innovation and great developer experiences. With over 20 million monthly users and 20 billion image pulls, Docker is the #1 tool for building, sharing, and running apps—trusted by startups and Fortune 100s alike. We’re growing fast and just getting started. Come join us for a whale of a ride!
About the Runtime Team
The Runtime team builds and maintains the core container runtime systems that power Docker, including the Moby Engine, containerd, and related low-level components. These systems are the foundation for Docker Desktop and much of the broader container ecosystem.
This team works at the deepest layers of Docker’s technology stack, close to Linux, Go, container runtimes, and system internals. The work directly impacts millions of developers and countless downstream tools.
The team is actively evolving Docker’s runtime architecture, modernizing long-standing components and building the next generation of container isolation, performance, and security capabilities, including virtualization-based approaches for new and emerging workloads.
The Role
As a Senior Software Engineer on the Runtime Container Platform team, you will work on the systems that actually make containers run. This role is focused on building and evolving the container runtime itself, not on orchestrating or deploying containers.
You will collaborate with other senior engineers to design, implement, and maintain core runtime functionality, balancing stability for existing users with thoughtful evolution of Docker’s architecture.
This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy working on foundational systems, digging into complex problems, and improving the developer experience by solving issues at the root.
This role is 100% remote, only open to US-based folks.
What You Will Do
Design, build, and evolve core container runtime features in Go and Linux environments
Work on foundational systems including Docker Engine, containerd, and related runtime components
Maintain and improve large open source codebases used across Docker products and the broader ecosystem
Collaborate with other Docker teams to integrate runtime capabilities with products like Docker Desktop and Docker Hub
Partner with upstream open source communities and contributors
Make thoughtful tradeoffs between performance, security, reliability, and developer experience
What We Are Looking For
Requirements:
Strong experience building systems in Go or deep experience in another systems language with willingness to work primarily in Go
Solid background working in Linux environments
Hands-on experience with container runtimes or low-level container technologies such as Docker Engine, containerd, or runc
Experience working close to the container stack, including runtime, image building, networking, isolation, or similar areas
Comfort working in large shared codebases and collaborating closely with other engineers
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
Preferred
Contributions to open source projects, especially CNCF or container-related projects
Experience with virtualization technologies such as Firecracker, QEMU, VirtIO, or microVMs
Knowledge of Linux internals including networking, kernel interfaces, or system performance
Experience building developer tooling, CLIs, or platform infrastructure used by other teams
Location
This role is 100% remote and only open to candidates currently located and authorized to work in the United States.
What to Expect
First 30 Days
Get to know the team and how the runtime systems fit into Docker
Start diving into the codebase
Triage issues and contribute a small change
First 90 Days
Take ownership of a meaningful area of the runtime
Ship a larger feature or improvement
Collaborate across teams and demo your work internally
One Year
Own significant runtime components or projects
Help shape the technical direction of Docker Engine and related systems
Partner with other teams to deliver end-to-end runtime improvements
If you are excited about working close to the container runtime, contributing to open source, and helping define the next evolution of Docker’s core technology, please apply!
Docker considers sponsorship on a case-by-case basis based on business needs.
We use Covey as part of our hiring and / or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT. As part of the evaluation process we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound on April 13, 2024.
Please see the independent bias audit report covering our use of Covey here.
Perks
Freedom & flexibility; fit your work around your life
Designated quarterly Whaleness Days plus end of year Whaleness break
Home office setup; we want you comfortable while you work
16 weeks of paid Parental leave
Technology stipend equivalent to $100 net/month
PTO plan that encourages you to take time to do the things you enjoy
Training stipend for conferences, courses and classes
Equity; we are a growing start-up and want all employees to have a share in the success of the company
Docker Swag
Medical benefits, retirement and holidays vary by country
Remote-first culture, with offices in Seattle and Paris
Docker embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our company will be.
#LI-REMOTE