Staff Software Engineer – Build Platform

About the role

RapidFort is redefining software supply chain security. We transform vulnerable container images into production-ready, hardened artifacts that dramatically reduce software supply chain risk without requiring application code changes. We combine automated container hardening, vulnerability remediation, runtime intelligence, and policy automation to enable engineering teams to deliver secure software faster while reducing operational complexity.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture and long-term technical strategy for RapidFort's Build Platform.
• Design and operate highly scalable distributed build systems capable of producing and maintaining thousands of production-ready container images.
• Build automated systems for image creation, validation, signing, publishing, and lifecycle management.
• Improve build performance, scalability, reproducibility, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Develop internal tooling and platform services using Python, Bash, and modern cloud-native technologies.
• Solve complex Linux, dependency management, networking, container, and build-system challenges.
• Drive engineering standards around software supply chain integrity, reproducible builds, and platform reliability.
• Partner closely with Platform Engineering, Security Research, Product Engineering, and Infrastructure teams.
• Lead architecture reviews and influence technical decisions across multiple engineering organizations.
• Mentor senior engineers and help raise the technical bar across the company.
• Continuously identify opportunities to simplify systems, improve reliability, and reduce operational overhead.

Requirements

• 10+ years of software engineering, platform engineering, infrastructure engineering, or developer platform experience.
• Deep expertise with Linux systems and operating system internals.
• Expert knowledge of Docker, OCI container images, and container ecosystems.
• Strong Python development experience.
• Strong Bash scripting skills.
• Experience designing distributed automation systems and developer platforms.
• Strong Kubernetes experience in production environments.
• Experience operating modern CI/CD platforms such as GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Buildkite, GitLab CI, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of software build systems, dependency management, package management, and artifact lifecycle.
• Experience troubleshooting large-scale distributed systems in production.
• Strong Git-based development workflows.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence engineering across multiple teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives without direct management responsibility.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required pursuant to applicable federal customer requirements.
• Minimum of 10+ years of software engineering, platform engineering, infrastructure engineering, or developer platform experience.
• Deep expertise with Linux systems and operating system internals.
• Expert knowledge of Docker, OCI container images, and container ecosystems.
• Strong Python development experience.
• Strong Bash scripting skills.
• Experience designing distributed automation systems and developer platforms.
• Strong Kubernetes experience in production environments.
• Experience operating modern CI/CD platforms such as GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Buildkite, GitLab CI, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of software build systems, dependency management, package management, and artifact lifecycle.
• Experience troubleshooting large-scale distributed systems in production.
• Strong Git-based development workflows.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to influence engineering across multiple teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives without direct management responsibility.

Benefits

• Base Salary: $150,000–$200,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Annual performance bonus.
• Meaningful equity participation.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401(k).
• Flexible PTO.
• Flexible work environment.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge cybersecurity and cloud-native technologies.
• Direct influence on the architecture and technical direction of a rapidly growing cybersecurity company.

Pay

$150,000–$200,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Remote (U.S.) or Hybrid (Bay Area Preferred)