Principal Data Engineer

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
Docker is seeking an exceptional
Principal Data Engineer
to lead the technical vision and architecture of our Data organization within our infrastructure group. This role will address critical data strategy challenges, building and launching scalable software systems and processes to unlock data at Docker. You will drive technical leadership across data infrastructure, analytics platforms, and revenue-enabling data products while mentoring senior engineers and collaborating with stakeholders across the company.
As a
Principal Engineer
, you will be responsible for solving Docker's most complex data engineering challenges at scale, architecting systems that support millions of developers and containers, and establishing data governance frameworks that enable rapid business growth and decision-making.
Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Architecture
Define and drive the long-term technical strategy for Docker's data platform, addressing current fragmentation across disparate data sources.
Architect scalable, reliable data infrastructure supporting Docker's growing customer base and container ecosystem
Lead cross-functional technical discussions to align on data architecture decisions
Establish technical standards and best practices across data engineering, analytics engineering, and data science teams
Design and implement data governance frameworks that ensure quality, security, and compliance (SOC-2, privacy regulations)
Systems Design & Implementation
Own the design of mission-critical data pipelines supporting customer usage measurement, billing systems, and revenue operations
Build robust ETL/ELT frameworks capable of processing Docker's container telemetry, user analytics, and business metrics at scale
Architect Customer 360 data models that unify user behavior, account information, and product usage across Docker's platform
Design monitoring, alerting, and observability systems for data infrastructure health and reliability
Lead integration efforts with third-party tools (CRM, ERP, analytics platforms) and internal Docker services
Strategic Impact
Partner with business stakeholders to translate complex business requirements into scalable technical solutions
Drive data-driven decision making by establishing clear metrics, dashboards, and KPIs aligned with business objectives
Lead strategic initiatives that unlock new revenue streams through improved data capabilities and insights
Establish processes that reduce time-to-insights from months to weeks for critical business questions
Create data architecture that enables Docker's expansion into new markets and customer segments
Leadership & Mentorship
Provide technical mentorship to senior data engineers, analytics engineers, and data scientists
Lead architectural reviews, code reviews, and technical decision-making processes
Drive hiring and technical interview processes for senior data team members
Foster a culture of operational excellence, data quality, and technical innovation
Collaborate with Engineering Leadership on team roadmaps, prioritization, and resource allocation
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Product, Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success teams to understand and address their data needs
Work closely with Security and Compliance teams to ensure data handling meets enterprise requirements
Collaborate with Platform engineering teams on shared infrastructure and tooling
Engage with Finance and Legal teams on data governance, retention, and privacy requirements
Required Qualifications
Experience & Background
8+ years of hands-on experience in data engineering, analytics engineering, or related technical roles
3+ years in senior technical leadership positions (Staff Engineer, Principal Engineer, or equivalent)
Experience designing and scaling data systems for companies with 100M+ users or equivalent scale
Experience guiding technical teams and facilitating cross-functional engineering initiatives
Technical Expertise
Expert-level proficiency in modern data stack technologies (dbt, Snowflake/BigQuery/Databricks, Apache Airflow/Prefect)
Strong programming skills in Python, SQL, and at least one additional language (Scala, Java, Go, or Rust)
Deep understanding of distributed systems, data modeling, and database optimization techniques
Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, CloudFormation)
Knowledge of streaming data technologies (Kafka, Kinesis, Pub/Sub) and real-time analytics
Leadership & Communication
Demonstrated ability to influence technical decisions across multiple engineering teams
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
Experience mentoring and developing senior engineering talent
Track record of successfully delivering large-scale, multi-quarter technical initiatives
Business Acumen
Understanding of SaaS business models, customer analytics, and revenue operations
Experience with product analytics, user behavior analysis, and A/B testing frameworks
Knowledge of data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA) and enterprise compliance requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Experience at high-growth technology companies or developer-focused platforms
Background in containerization technologies, Docker ecosystem, or developer tools
Experience with machine learning infrastructure and MLOps practices
Previous experience in marketplace, multi-tenant, or developer platform environments
Advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related technical field
Industry certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, dbt, Snowflake Pro, etc.)
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
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
Quarterly, company-wide hackathons
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
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.
Due to the remote nature of this role, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.
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