Principal Engineer, Core Infrastructure

Klaviyo Inc.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 244,000 - 366,000; Full time

Job summary

Klaviyo is seeking a hands-on principal for compute, networking, storage, runtimes, CI/CD, and observability to architect its service platform. This IC role requires setting technical standards and leading via design, code, and incident excellence with no direct reports.

You will define platform SLOs, drive reliability, improve developer velocity, and embed AI to accelerate shipping speed and safety across teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years building and operating cloud platforms (compute, networking, storage).
• Deep Kubernetes expertise and production observability discipline.
• Experience with multi-region HA and SLO/rule-based reliability.

Responsibilities

• Architect and evolve the Kubernetes platform, service mesh, networking, storage, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Define platform SLOs and guide reliability vs velocity through error budgets and reviews.
• Improve developer velocity with measurable improvements to build/deploy times.
• Lead capacity planning and guardrails for cost, security, and compliance.

Skills

Kubernetes

Service mesh

CI/CD

Observability

Multi-region HA

Incident management

AI tooling

Platform engineering

Automation

Code quality

Tools

Terraform

IaC tooling

Monitoring tools

Job description

At Klaviyo, we value the unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives each Klaviyo (we call ourselves Klaviyos) brings to our workplace each and every day. We believe everyone deserves a fair shot at success and appreciate the experiences each person brings beyond the traditional job requirements. If you’re a close but not exact match with the description, we hope you’ll still consider applying. Want to learn more about life at Klaviyo? Visit klaviyo.com/careers to see how we empower creators to own their own destiny.

As a hands‑on principal for compute, networking, storage, runtimes (e.g., Kubernetes), CI/CD, and observability, you’ll architect the service platform that lets teams ship fast and safely. IC role—no direct reports—you lead via design, code, and incident excellence, setting technical standards and SLOs for platform services.

What You’ll Do

• Architect and evolve the Kubernetes platform, service mesh, networking, storage, and CI/CD pipelines; ship golden paths and IaC modules.
• Define platform SLOs; use error budgets to guide reliability vs. velocity trade‑offs; drive incident learning and readiness reviews.
• Improve developer velocity (build/deploy times, flaky tests, local dev ergonomics) with measurable results.
• Lead capacity planning and commitments; build guardrails for cost, security, and compliance with Security/FinOps partners.
• Write high‑impact code, automation, and tooling; mentor across teams and raise the bar on operational excellence
• Embed AI in the developer experience—from code generation to observability and incident response—so teams ship faster and safer by default.

Who You Are

• Experience: 10+ years building and operating cloud platforms (compute, networking, storage, runtimes like Kubernetes), with a track record of multi‑region HA and SLO rigor.
• Technical expertise: Deep in Kubernetes, service mesh, Terraform/IaC, CI/CD, and production observability; you ship golden paths and guardrails that lift the whole org.
• Experience with databases and storage systems, including SQL and NoSQL databases, and object, block, or file storage platforms.
• AI tools & automation: You’ve brought AI into platform engineering—from copilot‑assisted workflows and intelligent test generation to AIOps for incident triage, anomaly detection, and runbook automation—with clear security and cost boundaries.
• Ops leadership: You lead via design reviews, incident excellence, and SLO/error‑budget tradeoffs communicated in business terms.
• AI fluency: You’re hands‑on with AI tools and help teams adopt them responsibly.

Nice to Haves

• Core SLOs & velocity: ≥99.95% SLOs for core services; 25–50% faster build/deploy times; developer‑reported friction trending down.
• AI‑enabled platform: Approved AI tooling is integrated into IDE/CI/CD with repo policies and auditability; ≥70% MAU among eligible engineers; MTTR down 20–30% via AI‑assisted triage; flaky‑test rate decreases through targeted, AI‑suggested fixes.
• Guardrails in place: Cost, security, and compliance controls are codified as IaC modules and enforced in paved roads.
• Experience with enterprise governance, including compliance and audit requirements.
• Familiarity with GDPR and data privacy considerations in large‑scale, production environments.

Success in 6–12 Months

• ≥99.95% SLOs for core services; 25–50% faster build/deploy times; reduced developer‑reported friction; incident recurrence trending down.

We use Covey as part of our hiring and / or promotional process. For jobs or candidates in NYC, certain features may qualify it as an AEDT. As part of the evaluation process we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound on April 3, 2025.

Please see the independent bias audit report covering our use of Covey here

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Our salary range reflects the cost of labor across various U.S. geographic markets. The range displayed below reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all our US locations. The base salary offered for this position is determined by several factors, including the applicant’s job‑related skills, relevant experience, education or training, and work location.

In addition to base salary, our total compensation package may include participation in the company’s annual cash bonus plan, variable compensation (OTE) for sales and customer success roles, equity, sign‑on payments, and a comprehensive range of health, welfare, and wellbeing benefits based on eligibility.

Your recruiter can provide more details about the specific salary/OTE range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Base Pay Range For US Locations

$244,000 — $366,000 USD

This role may require up to 10% travel for purposes such as new hire onboarding, client or partner work if applicable, team meetings, and industry events. Travel is coordinated in advance.

Get to Know Klaviyo

We’re Klaviyo (pronounced clay-vee-oh). We empower creators to own their destiny by making first‑party data accessible and actionable like never before. We see limitless potential for the technology we’re developing to nurture personalized experiences in ecommerce and beyond. To reach our goals, we need our own crew of remarkable creators—ambitious and collaborative teammates who stay focused on our north star: delighting our customers. If you’re ready to do the best work of your career, where you’ll be welcomed as your whole self from day one and supported with generous benefits, we hope you’ll join us.

AI fluency at Klaviyo includes responsible use of AI (including privacy, security, bias awareness, and human‑in‑the‑loop). We provide accommodations as needed.

By participating in Klaviyo’s interview process, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and will adhere to our Guidelines for using AI in the Klaviyo interview Process. For more information about how we process your personal data, see our Job Applicant Privacy Notice.

Klaviyo is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, citizenship, national origin, color, religion or religious creed, age, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran or active military status, marital status, criminal record, genetics, retaliation, sexual harassment or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.