Principal Software Engineer

NetApp; Morrisville (NC); Hybrid; USD 227,800 - 338,000; Full time

Job summary

NetApp, the intelligent data infrastructure company, seeks a Principal Engineer to own the Kubernetes story within the Trident program. You will shape the roadmap for Data Protection on Kubernetes and evangelize the solution in open‑source ecosystems.

You will drive adoption while collaborating across teams to solve persistent storage challenges for Kubernetes and container tech. The ideal candidate brings deep Kubernetes and storage experience, a track record of delivering architectural

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science.
• Excellent coding skills in Golang and Python.
• Strong understanding of computer architecture, data structures and programming practices.
• Deep technical knowledge of Kubernetes.
• Understanding of Hyper Scaler technologies: AWS, GCP and AZURE.
• Experience with NetApp storage or cloud native storage platforms.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• A deep understanding of object‑oriented programming and design.
• Working knowledge of Agile Scrum best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural decisions and provide technical leadership for teams.
• Engage with product management on roadmaps and with customers on escalations.
• Drive PoCs, R&D activities, and continuous improvement across areas.
• Contribute to development, testing, and execution of projects.
• Ensure best practices in software design and development through reviews.

Skills

Golang

Python

Kubernetes

Cloud platforms

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Master's degree in technical field (preferred)

Job description

Own Every Moment at NetApp

At NetApp, your ideas power innovation. We lead in intelligent data infrastructure—delivering unified storage, integrated data services, and solutions that help organizations unlock the full potential of their data, from AI to multicloud.

Own Every Moment at NetApp

At NetApp, your ideas power innovation. We lead in intelligent data infrastructure—delivering unified storage, integrated data services, and solutions that help organizations unlock the full potential of their data, from AI to multicloud.

Ready to innovate and contribute to our path to 10B? Here, you'll collaborate with passionate teams, tackle real-world challenges, and see your impact in how customers transform and grow. If you're ready to bring curiosity, creativity, and drive to every moment, NetApp is where your journey begins. Join teams that innovate to elevate, drive results, and excel together across every function.

Job Summary

As a Principal Engineer at NetApp you will be part of the Trident program that brought the first open‑source, out‑of‑tree dynamic storage provisioner to Kubernetes!

You will own and define the Kubernetes story for NetApp. You will help shape the roadmap of the Data Protection capabilities on Kubernetes. The role will require you to evangelize the solution in an open‑source environment. You will be responsible for pushing adoption of the proposed solution.

Our team at NetApp develops innovative and unique solutions to assist our customers in solving the challenges of persistent storage consumption for Kubernetes applications and other container technologies. We work closely with upstream communities to provide code and leadership in defining the persistent storage strategy in these areas.

An ideal candidate for this position will be driven to produce results, collaborative, curious and creative. He/she strives to excel in their day‑to‑day work and will continue to produce high quality results without anyone looking over their shoulders. They will bring broad experience across multiple domains including embedded systems, operating systems, storage technologies and distributed systems.

Job Requirements

• As a principal engineer you will design and lead the team in important architectural decisions. The candidate will provide technical leadership for the team(s) they are associated with and participate in key technical decisions. They will engage with product management on roadmaps and engage with customers on escalations and ensure that there is continuous improvement in all areas.

Essential Functions

• Participate in technical discussions within the team and with other groups within Business Units associated with specified projects
• Responsible for providing guidance in development and testing activities of other engineers that involve several inter‑dependencies
• Work on multiple tasks and responsibilities that will contribute towards team, program, and company goals
• Coding and Execution of projects, Technical Design
• Test Automation
• Debugging/Performance analysis
• Running PoCs and R&D activities
• Enforce best practices for software design and development by involving in appropriate reviews
• Strong aptitude for learning new technologiesResourceful in applying creative ideas to solve problems

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant experience
• A Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science
• Excellent coding skills in Golang and Python
• A strong understanding of concepts related to computer architecture, data structures and programming practices
• Deep technical knowledge of Kubernetes
• Understanding of Hyper Scaler technologies: AWS, GCP and AZURE
• Experience with NetApp storage or cloud native storage platforms
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• A deep understanding of object‑oriented programming and design
• The candidate should have a working knowledge of Agile Scrum best practice

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical area of study: engineering disciplines

Master's degree in technical field such as engineering, software development, preferred with less additional experience stated above

About NetApp

NetApp is the intelligent data infrastructure company, turning a world of disruption into opportunity for every customer. No matter the data type, workload or environment, we help our customers identify and realize new business possibilities. And it all starts with our people.

If this sounds like something you want to be part of, NetApp is the place for you. You can help bring new ideas to life, approaching each challenge with fresh eyes. We embrace diversity and openness because it's in our DNA. Of course, you won't be doing it alone. At NetApp, we're all about asking for help when we need it, collaborating with others, and partnering across the organization - and beyond.

By joining NetApp, you can take part in transforming how data is changing the world. ONTAP is the #1 Storage Operating System in the world, managing hundreds of Exabytes of customers information. We have more than 30,000 customers today that rely on us to be the data authority. Take part in the transformation that is changing how we work and play daily.

"At NetApp, we fully embrace and advance a diverse, inclusive global workforce with a culture of belonging that leverages the backgrounds and perspectives of all employees, customers, partners, and communities to foster a higher performing organization." - George Kurian, CEO

The target salary range for this position is $227,800-338,000. The salary offered will be determined by the candidate's location, qualifications, experience, and education and may be outside of this range. Final compensation packages are competitive and in line with industry standards, reflecting a variety of factors, and include a comprehensive benefits package. This may cover Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement or Pension Plans, Paid Time Off (PTO), various Leave options, Performance-Based Incentives, employee stock purchase plan, and/or restricted stocks (RSU’s), with all offerings subject to regional variations and governed by local laws, regulations, and company policies. Benefits may vary by country and region, and further details will be provided as part of the recruitment process.

At NetApp, we embrace a hybrid working environment designed to strengthen connection, collaboration, and culture for all employees. This means that most roles will have some level of in‑office and/or in‑person expectations, which will be shared during the recruitment process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NetApp is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and to compliance with all federal, state and local laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information, pregnancy, protected veteran status, and any other protected classification.

Why You'll Thrive at NetApp

At NetApp, you won't wait for the perfect moment—you'll make it. The early planning, the extra thought, the bold idea that turns good into great: That's how our people operate and how we continue to push the boundaries of data infrastructure.

NetApp is the trusted partner for organizations transforming data into opportunity. As the only enterprise-grade storage service natively embedded in Google Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure, we empower customers to run everything from traditional workloads to enterprise AI with unmatched performance, resilience, and security.

Our culture

We celebrate mold breakers, bold thinkers, and problem solvers. We reward initiative, impact, and ownership. We provide flexibility so you can balance professional ambition with your personal life. Here, differences are not just welcomed—they drive everything we do.

If you're ready to innovate, rise to the challenge, and own every moment - make your next move your best one.

AI Disclosure

For select roles, some stages of our hiring process may use artificial intelligence tools to help evaluate applications and candidate selection. These tools support—rather than replace—human decision‑making.