Senior Software Engineer

Summary

Join the Chainguard Sustaining Team and help revolutionize open-source security. You will play a key role in building software that eliminates vulnerabilities, not just patches them. Responsibilities include triaging and resolving CVEs, working with open-source tools like melange, apko, and Wolfi OS, creating Linux packages and container images, collaborating with a global team, mentoring engineers, and improving testing and automation. The ideal candidate has 4+ years of DevOps or software development experience, strong Linux packaging skills, container expertise, Kubernetes and Terraform knowledge, and excellent communication skills. Bonus points for open-source community involvement and vulnerability management experience. Chainguard offers a flexible, remote-first culture, comprehensive health insurance, flexible time off, generous parental leave, and stock options.

Requirements

• Veteran skills: 4+ years writing code in DevOps or software development—bonus points for serious Linux packaging experience (APK, DEB, RPM), debugging mastery, and the stamina to run solo when it counts
• Containers are your jam: You don’t just build and debug images—you think in them
• Kubernetes flair: Deploy with plain manifests, Helm, or Kustomize. You’re the one people call when everything “just stopped working.”
• Terraform whiz: You create modules like LEGO—reusable, logical, and awesome
• Real programming chops: Fluent in at least one language (your Go, Python, C, or C++ memes always impress)
• Crystal-clear communicator: English is no barrier. You know when to ask, when to inform, and when to celebrate
• Not another cloud admin: We’re all about DevOps tools for build and test, not wrangling infrastructure

Responsibilities

• Own the queue: Triage, chase down, and smash CVE’s, then dial up automation so those issues don’t come back
• Play in our tech sandbox: Get hands-on with melange, apko, Wolfi OS, and the Chainguard Images catalog—our open-source foundation that strips out bloat (and bugs) from containers
• Code, create, and launch: Build new Linux packages (APKs) and container images, and watch your handiwork shine in real-world cloud applications
• Collaborate and celebrate: Sync early and often with project managers and teammates around the world. Shout out wins. Beat blockers. Keep momentum high
• Spread the knowledge: Mentor engineers globally, leave your mark on the community, and become someone’s “you should talk to them.”
• Level up quality: Bring your passion for testing and automation so we can ship with confidence—and maybe brag a little, too

Preferred Qualifications

• You're a familiar face in the open-source crowd or a rising community leader
• You have hands-on experience with vulnerability management and remediation
• You geek out over distroless containers and supply chain security

Benefits

• Flexible & Remote-First Culture: Work remotely with team meetup opportunities, bi-annual destination summits, and a $400 monthly stipend for coworking spaces, phone and internet costs
• Our Approach to Equity: Receive stock options upon hire and promotion. Plus, you can participate in secondary offerings and have 10 years to exercise your options (yes, you read that correctly: 10 years!)
• 100% Covered Health Insurance: We cover 100% of your health, vision and dental insurance premiums for you and your dependents. Nothing comes out of your paycheck
• ��� Flexible Time Off: Take the time you need – to do our best work, we need to recharge and reset
• 18 Weeks Paid Parental Leave: We offer 18 weeks for birthing parents and 12 weeks for non-birthing parents, with the option to use it all at once or throughout your child's first year