Senior Software Engineer (Apache Kafka) | Remote, USA

Job DescriptionJob Description

Location: Remote (U.S. Based)
Compensation: $130,000–$140,000 base salary (DOE)
Industry: SaaS / EdTech / High-Throughput Distributed Systems

Overview:

We are conducting a confidential search on behalf of a VIP client, a nationally recognized, mission-driven technology organization at the forefront of innovation in the education sector. This high-growth company is seeking a Senior Software Engineer with expertise in distributed systems and Apache Kafka to join its expanding engineering team.

This is a fully remote opportunity designed for an engineer who thrives in collaborative environments, enjoys complex architecture challenges, and is passionate about building systems that scale.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and deploy high-throughput, fault-tolerant backend services and APIs.
• Lead and collaborate on the development of scalable systems using event-driven technologies such as Apache Kafka.
• Mentor junior developers and actively contribute to code reviews and system architecture discussions.
• Participate in sprint planning, backlog refinement, and agile development cycles.
• Contribute to the architectural modernization of a monolithic platform into a microservice-based environment.
• Ensure system reliability, performance, and scalability across services in a production environment.

Core Qualifications:

• Strong hands-on experience with Node.js, React.js, and/or PHP in production environments.
• Deep understanding of Apache Kafka and event-driven system architecture.
• Proficiency with relational databases (MySQL/Postgres) and NoSQL document stores.
• Experience leading engineering efforts on large-scale software initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in migrating legacy systems to microservices architecture.
• Skilled in asynchronous programming, unit testing, and software lifecycle best practices.
• Strong knowledge of design patterns, API development, and scalable system architecture.
• Degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience.

Qualifications:

• Experience with AWS and cloud- development environments.
• Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, and serverless architecture.
• Exposure to tools such as GraphQL, GitLab, Atlassian Suite, Heap, Split.io, or Datadog.
• Prior experience authoring clear technical documentation and architectural requirements.
• Master’s degree or further technical education is a plus.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out:

• VIP Client Engagement: Work with a high-profile organization through a trusted and exclusive search partnership.
• Purpose-Driven Impact: Be part of a platform that directly supports educators and students nationwide.
• Remote-First Culture: Join a collaborative, distributed team committed to excellence and innovation.
• Scalable Systems & Modern Tech Stack: Influence architectural direction using the latest in event-driven and cloud- technologies.