Remote
US
$265K–$310K
💻Engineering
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Docker has been one of the most loved brands in developer tooling, trusted by more than 20 million monthly users and over 20 billion container image pulls. From solo founders to the world's largest companies, developers rely on Docker to build, share, and run their applications across our suite of products including Docker Desktop, Docker Hub, and Docker Scout.
We are a globally distributed, remote-first team building the tools that define how software gets built and delivered. As AI agents redefine software development, Docker is at the center of that shift, providing the sandboxed environments, verified images, and secure infrastructure that make autonomous workflows trustworthy by default.
Docker seeks a Principal Software Engineer to define the technical vision and architecture for our internal Developer Tools team. This is a rare opportunity to establish how software is designed, built, shipped, and operated at Docker. With the addition of AI we are modernizing our SDLC and building the mechanisms that make the right way the easy way for every engineer.
You'll own the technical strategy across four interconnected pillars:
Platform Engineering & Self-Service: Design and build the internal developer platform that empowers teams across Docker to unblock themselves, rapidly scaffolding, prototyping, deploying, and operating their own services and tools.
CI/CD & Build Systems: Define Docker's technical approach to continuous integration, delivery, and build infrastructure. Establish architectural standards for pipeline tooling, GitOps deployment patterns, build substrate, and release engineering.
As Principal Software Engineer, you'll partner with engineering leadership across Docker, principal engineers, Security, Infrastructure, and the service teams to author the SDLC tenets that underpin all of this work, and build the mechanisms those tenets run through.
Reporting to the Sr Manager of Developer Tools, you'll collaborate closely with engineering leadership across Docker, product engineering teams, platform teams, and ultimately customers as internal tools evolve into product offerings.
You're a technical leader who excels at the intersection of developer experience, platform engineering, and systems design. You think in platforms and golden paths, building once and enabling dozens of teams to move faster. You have strong opinions on what makes developer tools great: invisible by default, indispensable once adopted, and measurable in the workflows engineers already use.
You have deep experience across the breadth of the developer tooling stack, CI/CD, build systems, observability infrastructure, and developer platforms, and working knowledge of LLM integration and AI agent development. You understand the nuances of internal platforms: designing for adoption, not mandate; plugging into existing workflows before standing up new ones; and earning trust through data before expanding scope.
You have exceptional judgment on when to build custom solutions versus integrate existing tools, and you're comfortable navigating a rapidly evolving landscape across both AI and developer infrastructure. You balance technical excellence with pragmatism, shipping iteratively while maintaining high quality bars. Most importantly, you lead through influence and mentorship, elevating the entire engineering organization's technical capabilities.
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.
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) / Retirement Plan
Equity / RSUs
Unlimited PTO
Paid Holidays
Parental Leave
Home Office Stipend
Learning & Development Budget
Docker is a fully remote company, so most work happens from home rather than an office. Openings are still region-anchored: current roles are based in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the wider EMEA region, so check the specific posting for its eligible country. Docker also keeps optional office hubs in Paris and Seattle for anyone who wants occasional in-person collaboration.
Remote-first is built into how Docker operates, not a temporary policy. Communication is Slack and Zoom first, schedules are flexible, and teams lean on async workflows to collaborate across time zones. To help people recharge rather than burn out, Docker gives quarterly company-wide "Whaleness Days," alongside virtual social events, team bonding, and a recurring "Lunch Roulette."
Internet Stipend
Team Events & Social Budget
Work From Anywhere
Flexible Schedule
Company Shutdown Days
Company Equipment
Sick Days
Health coverage is a highlight, with company-paid medical premiums plus dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k), parental leave, and equity as RSUs. Time off is generous, including unlimited PTO, paid holidays, and company shutdown days. For remote work specifically, Docker provides a home-office setup budget, a monthly technology and internet stipend, and a learning and development allowance for training.
Docker does not publish standardized salary bands publicly, so the exact range for a role is confirmed with your recruiter during the process. Offers reflect the role, its level, and your location, and total compensation pairs base salary with equity as RSUs and the benefits package above.
Docker runs on five virtues: Developer Obsession, Humble Confidence, Bias for Considered Action, Open Collaboration, and Outcome Driven. The culture emphasizes autonomy, transparency, and real impact, so people who are self-directed, developer-empathetic, and comfortable owning outcomes in an async setting tend to do well. Docker also supports employee resource groups spanning Underrepresented Genders, DEIB, Mental Health, Caregivers, and Neurodivergent communities.
Docker emphasizes inclusive hiring and a well-supported onboarding, and new hires describe a smooth start with a dedicated onboarding team, a home-office budget from day one, and training allowances. One important safety note from Docker: the company only contacts applicants from official @docker.com email addresses. Messages from lookalike domains such as @dockercareers.com are fraudulent, so never share personal information with them.
