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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Software Engineer, Docker Agents - **Company:** Docker - **Location:** London, UK (Remote available) - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** £208,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Continuous Integration, Distributed Systems, Python (Programming Language), Open Source Technology, Software Architecture, Rapid Prototyping Process, Software Engineering, Systems Architecture, Cloud Platform System, Large Language Models, Multi-Agent Systems, Backend, Containerization, Kubernetes, Information Technology, Enterprise Integration, Docker - **Published:** September 5, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/principal-software-engineer-docker-agents-london-docker-com-8109250 ## About the Role * 10+ years of software engineering experience, including 3+ years in technical leadership roles (Staff/Principal level or equivalent scope) * Go Expertise: Strong proficiency in Go is highly desired (if you're not proficient, then we will look for your ability/willingness to ramp up and work in Go - this is Docker's primary language for backend systems) * AI/ML Knowledge: Practical experience with large language models (LLMs) and agent development patterns; hands-on experience using AI for Software development * System Architecture: Proven ability to design scalable, distributed systems in production environments * Container Technology: Deep understanding of Docker, containerization best practices, and container orchestration * Cloud/Platform Depth: Experience building and operating platform services with strong foundations in observability, CI/CD, and security principles * Operational Excellence: Experience operating and evolving high-availability production systems with a focus on reliability and performance * Influence & Communication: Exceptional communication skills and ability to influence across technical and business domains * AI Frameworks: Experience with CrewAI, AGNO, ADK, LangChain/LangGraph or similar AI orchestration frameworks (preferred) * Python Proficiency: Experience with Python for AI prototyping and tooling (preferred) * Experience with Kubernetes or container orchestration platforms (preferred) * Open source contributions and community engagement (preferred) * Experience with agent evaluation, reliability, and observability techniques (preferred) ## Description * Technical Leadership & Architecture: Define and drive the long-term technical strategy for Docker's containerized agent platform, including core primitives, APIs, and extensibility patterns * Build Containerized Agent Systems: Design and implement systems that leverage Docker containers as the ideal runtime for AI agents, ensuring isolation, scalability, and portability * Expand Docker Agent: Maintain and evolve the open-source cagent project, adding new capabilities for containerized agent deployment, orchestration, and lifecycle management * Agent Runtime Development: Build robust infrastructure for packaging, deploying, and managing agents in containers across local and cloud environments * Evaluation & Testing: Define evaluation frameworks to measure agent quality, reliability, and production readiness; plus the deployment effectiveness of containerized runtimes * Reliability & Operability: Establish standards for observability, performance, and operational excellence; lead critical production decision-making and incident learnings as needed * Rapid Prototyping: Iterate quickly on new agent capabilities and deployment patterns, moving from concept to production efficiently * Open Source Community: Engage with the Docker Agent community, review contributions, and help grow the ecosystem * Cross-functional Collaboration: Lead cross-functional technical discussions and influence architectural decisions across Docker's AI initiatives (including sister teams and platform efforts) * Mentorship & Enablement: Mentor senior engineers, raise the bar through design reviews, and accelerate team execution through clear technical direction and coaching * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience * This role may require participation in an on-call rotation to provide support outside of standard business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed., * Deep dive into Docker Agent's architecture, project roadmap, and the developer problems we're solving * Identify the highest-leverage architectural and execution risks/opportunities; align with stakeholders on priorities * Contribute initial improvements to Docker Agent and the containerized agent runtime foundations First 90 days * Lead significant platform features or architectural improvements to Docker Agent and our containerized agent ecosystem * Establish (or materially improve) technical standards for evaluation, reliability, and operability of agent systems * Drive alignment across internal teams on APIs, integration points, and a cohesive developer experience * Mentor engineers through design reviews and help accelerate onboarding and execution One-Year Outlook * Drive major architectural decisions for our containerized agent platform that will impact millions of Docker users * Shape the long-term technical vision and execution plan for Docker's agent ecosystem (open-source and product surfaces) * Establish repeatable engineering practices for quality, performance, and operational excellence in agent systems * Lead initiatives to expand containerized agent capabilities for enterprise use cases and broader platform integrations * Grow the team's technical capabilities through mentorship, strategy, and pragmatic delivery ## Related Videos - [The Evolving Landscape of Application Development: Insights from Three Years of Research](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1459-the-evolving-landscape-of-application-development-insights-from-three-years-of-research) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [Developing the Backend with Stefan Lingler, CTO at Shpock](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100360-developing-the-backend-with-stefan-lingler-cto-at-shpock) - [Understanding Kubernetes in a visual way](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100085-understanding-kubernetes-in-a-visual-way) - [Compose the Future: Building Agentic Applications, Made Simple with Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1384-compose-the-future-building-agentic-applications-made-simple-with-docker) - [Microservices: how to get started with Spring Boot and Kubernetes](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/242-microservices-how-to-get-started-with-spring-boot-and-kubernetes) ## Related Articles - [Building AI Solutions with Rust and Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/494-building-ai-solutions-with-rust-and-docker) - [What is Agentic Programming and Why Should Developers Care?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/625-what-is-agentic-programming-and-why-should-developers-care) - [From Prototype to Production: Build AI Agents with This Free 4-Course Learning Path](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/655-from-prototype-to-production-build-ai-agents-with-this-free-4-course-learning-path) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Never delegate the understanding](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/749-never-delegate-the-understanding) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)