Sr. Software Engineer - L4

OP Recruiting; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

OP Recruiting is seeking a Senior Software Engineer in Chicago to design and scale mission-critical cloud infrastructure for high-concurrency environments. You will lead architectural decisions, mentor engineers, and collaborate with product and operations teams across time zones.

Responsibilities include building high-throughput AWS-backed services with Kubernetes, optimizing performance, and delivering secure, cost-efficient infrastructure. Hybrid work model offered.

Qualifications

• Must have systems-level development with C, C++, or Go and strong network fundamentals.
• Extensive experience designing, scaling, and operating distributed systems in AWS.
• Hands-on Kubernetes, container deployment, and microservices orchestration.
• Deep Unix/Linux knowledge, data structures, and algorithm design.
• Experience with Agile SDLC and cross-time-zone collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Architect, deploy, and maintain high-throughput cloud environments using containers and orchestration.
• Drive performance optimizations across distributed back-end components for high availability and low latency.
• Lead full-lifecycle engineering initiatives from discovery to release execution.
• Champion security, cost efficiency, and infrastructure resiliency in system design decisions.
• Collaborate with global stakeholders to align technical specs with business goals.
• Mentor junior engineers, conduct code reviews, and ensure architectural alignment.
• Document technical specifications and evaluation plans for systems.
• Troubleshoot production issues and drive automation across pipelines.

Skills

C

C++

Go

Network programming

Distributed systems

Agile methodologies

SDLC

Tools

Kubernetes

AWS

Containerization

Microservices orchestration

Job description

About The Opportunity

Join a premier digital media technology enterprise driving large-scale, high-concurrency systems for global audiences. We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to design, scale, and optimize mission-critical cloud infrastructure capable of processing immense traffic volumes in real time. This is a pivotal role offering technical leadership, cross-functional influence, and the chance to mentor growing engineering talent in a high-impact environment.

Job Title

Sr. Software Engineer

Location

Chicago (Hybrid)

Responsibilities

• Architect, deploy, and maintain high-throughput cloud environments utilizing containerization and modern orchestration frameworks.
• Drive continuous performance optimizations across distributed back-end components to ensure high availability and minimal latency.
• Lead full-lifecycle engineering initiatives from initial technical discovery and architectural design through release execution.
• Guide system design decisions, championing operational best practices in security, cost efficiency, and infrastructure resiliency.
• Collaborate with global product, engineering, and operations stakeholders to align technical specifications with business objectives.
• Serve as a technical mentor for junior engineering team members, facilitating code reviews and architectural alignment.
• Author comprehensive technical documentation, system specifications, and evaluation plans.
• Troubleshoot complex production issues and drive infrastructure automation across deployment pipelines.

Requirements (Must-Have)

• Proven background in systems-level development using C, C++, or Go (Golang), paired with strong network programming fundamentals.
• Extensive experience designing, scaling, and operating distributed systems within AWS cloud environments.
• Hands-on expertise with Kubernetes, container deployment, and microservices orchestration.
• Deep familiarity with Unix/Linux environments, advanced data structures, and core algorithm design.
• Demonstrated experience navigating the full SDLC within Agile frameworks.
• Strong analytical problem-solving capability and the flexibility to collaborate across international time zones when required.

Preferred Qualifications (Nice-to-Have)

• Prior experience in digital media, video streaming, ad technology, or high-volume distribution platforms.
• Familiarity with distributed caching solutions, message queues, and web servers/reverse proxies (e.g., Nginx).
• Track record of supporting large-scale, online mission-critical production applications.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary and comprehensive health, retirement, and wellness benefits package.
• Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Accepting Candidates