Senior Distributed Systems Engineer / Architect
RAPIDFORT · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $200,000 / year
- United States
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Job highlights
- Design scalable distributed systems for data processing.
- Optimize performance across CPU, disk, and network.
- Implement core infrastructure in Python and Bash.
- Build instrumentation for system performance measurement.
- Ensure reliable operation of large-scale systems.
About the role
About RapidFort
RapidFort is a Series A cybersecurity company backed by $42M from leading investors, building the next generation of container and software supply-chain security. Our platform helps enterprises and U.S. government agencies eliminate vulnerabilities in container images, secure Kubernetes environments, and protect cloud-native infrastructure at runtime. Due to our work with DoD and U.S. federal customers, U.S. citizenship is required for this role.
Overview
We are looking for a Senior Systems Engineer / Architect (Distributed Systems & Performance) to design and build highly scalable custom systems that process large volumes of data across CPU, disk, and network intensive workloads. This role is deeply hands-on and requires strong systems thinking, algorithm design, and performance optimization skills. You will work on core infrastructure and algorithms, building systems that maximize resource utilization across distributed environments. The ideal candidate enjoys working close to the metal, writing efficient code and tooling (primarily in Python and Bash) while building the instrumentation needed to continuously measure, analyze, and improve system performance. This role requires a data-driven mindset and a passion for building reliable, scalable systems from first principles.
Responsibilities
System Architecture
- Design and implement scalable distributed systems that handle heavy CPU, disk, and network workloads.
- Architect systems for high throughput, reliability, and efficient resource utilization.
- Develop distributed algorithms and data processing pipelines.
Performance & Optimization
- Analyze system behavior to identify bottlenecks across compute, storage, and network layers.
- Optimize workloads for maximum efficiency and minimal resource waste.
- Develop strategies for parallelization, batching, and workload scheduling.
Engineering & Implementation
- Implement system components and tooling primarily in Python and Bash.
- Build custom orchestration, automation, and distributed job execution mechanisms.
- Write efficient algorithms and low-level logic to manage large-scale workloads.
Observability & Data-Driven Engineering
- Build instrumentation, metrics, and telemetry to measure system performance.
- Develop dashboards and analysis workflows to guide optimization decisions.
- Use empirical data and experimentation to improve system behavior.
Infrastructure & Reliability
- Design systems that operate reliably across distributed environments.
- Implement monitoring, debugging, and recovery mechanisms for large-scale systems.
- Collaborate with infrastructure and platform teams to ensure smooth deployment and operation.
Requirements
Core Experience
- Strong experience building distributed systems or large-scale backend infrastructure
- Deep understanding of systems performance (CPU, memory, disk I/O, networking)
- Experience optimizing workloads for throughput and efficiency
Programming
- Strong Python development skills
- Strong Bash / shell scripting
- Ability to implement and reason about algorithms and system-level logic
Systems Knowledge
- Experience with parallel processing, distributed job execution, or large data pipelines
- Familiarity with Linux systems, resource scheduling, and performance tuning
- Understanding of networked systems and distributed coordination
Engineering Approach
- Strong data-driven mindset with focus on measurement and experimentation
- Experience building observability, metrics, and instrumentation
- Ability to debug complex systems in production environments
Nice to Have
- Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) workloads
- Experience with containerized environments (Docker/Kubernetes)
- Background in large-scale data processing or distributed compute frameworks
- Familiarity with performance profiling tools and system tracing
What You’ll Work On
- Designing custom distributed compute frameworks
- Building efficient algorithms to process large-scale data workloads
- Optimizing compute pipelines across CPU, disk, and network resources
- Developing instrumentation and performance analytics
- Improving system efficiency through continuous measurement and experimentation
Key skills/competency
- Distributed Systems
- Systems Engineering
- Performance Optimization
- Algorithm Design
- Python
- Bash
- Infrastructure
- Observability
- Data Pipelines
- Cybersecurity
Skills & topics
- Senior Distributed Systems Engineer
- Systems Architect
- Distributed Systems
- Performance Optimization
- Python
- Bash
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud-Native
- Kubernetes
- Container Security
- Remote
- Full-time
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience with distributed systems, Python, Bash, and performance optimization.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Emphasize your passion for low-level systems and data-driven engineering.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Be ready to discuss system design, algorithms, and performance tuning.
- Showcase problem-solving skills: Demonstrate your ability to debug complex distributed systems.
- Understand RapidFort's mission: Align your application with their cybersecurity goals and container security focus.
Technical preparation
Master distributed system design principles.,Practice Python and Bash scripting for systems.,Study Linux performance tuning techniques.,Prepare to discuss algorithm design and optimization.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex system you designed.,How do you approach performance bottlenecks?,Share an experience debugging distributed systems.,How do you use data for system improvements?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the expected salary range for a Senior Distributed Systems Engineer Architect at RapidFort?
- The base salary for this role is between $150,000 and $200,000 annually. This range may be adjusted based on your experience, qualifications, and location.
- What are the primary programming languages used for this Senior Distributed Systems Engineer Architect role at RapidFort?
- The primary programming languages for this role are Python and Bash. Strong proficiency in these languages is essential for implementing system components and tooling.
- Does RapidFort offer remote or hybrid work options for the Senior Distributed Systems Engineer Architect position?
- Yes, RapidFort offers both remote and hybrid work arrangements for this position, providing flexibility in how and where you work.
- What specific cybersecurity focus does RapidFort have for this Senior Distributed Systems Engineer Architect role?
- RapidFort is a cybersecurity company focused on container and software supply-chain security. This role contributes to securing cloud-native infrastructure and eliminating vulnerabilities in container images.
- Is U.S. citizenship a requirement for the Senior Distributed Systems Engineer Architect position at RapidFort?
- Yes, due to RapidFort's work with DoD and U.S. federal customers, U.S. citizenship is a mandatory requirement for this role.
- What kind of system architecture challenges will a Senior Distributed Systems Engineer Architect tackle at RapidFort?
- You will design and implement highly scalable distributed systems capable of handling heavy CPU, disk, and network workloads, focusing on high throughput, reliability, and efficient resource utilization.
- How does RapidFort approach performance optimization in this Senior Distributed Systems Engineer Architect role?
- The role involves analyzing system behavior to identify bottlenecks, optimizing workloads for maximum efficiency, and developing strategies for parallelization, batching, and scheduling to minimize resource waste.
- What 'nice to have' skills would make a candidate stand out for the Senior Distributed Systems Engineer Architect position at RapidFort?
- Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) workloads, containerized environments (Docker/Kubernetes), large-scale data processing, and performance profiling tools would be advantageous.