Staff Software Engineer - Data Platform

FHLB Des Moines; San Mateo (CA); Hybrid; USD 184,000 - 312,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid in San Mateo

Health and wellness benefits

Paid time off

Market-competitive pay and incentive

Job summary

Guidewire is seeking a Staff Software Engineer for the Data Platform to architect and build cloud-native analytics services. You’ll lead design for real-time, large-scale systems using Kafka, Hadoop, Spark, Flink, and Hive, and mentor multiple teams in a fast-paced, AI-focused environment.

The role emphasizes collaboration across engineering, cloud, and data platform adoption, with a hybrid work option in San Mateo and a focus on secure, scalable solutions.

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ experience in software engineering focused on data platforms or data engineering.
• Deep expertise in Java and designing large-scale distributed systems.
• Experience with Kubernetes, AWS, Docker, and infrastructure-as-code tools.
• Design and development of Machine Learning Platform.
• Strong understanding of distributed systems principles (consistency, availability, durability, reliability, fault-tolerance, consensus algorithms).
• Advanced knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and performance optimization.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and implement high-performance, cloud-native data platform and analytics SaaS services that process billions of real-time data points.
• Lead the development of large-scale, distributed systems using modern big data technologies (Kafka, Hadoop, Spark, Flink, Hive) and Java/Scala.
• Drive the design and build of real-time stream processing systems and microservices, ensuring scalability, reliability, and data security.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to multiple teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative engineering culture.
• Own and resolve complex code defects, and champion best practices in software development and system design.

Skills

Java

Distributed systems

Cloud-native

Big data

Kubernetes

AWS

Docker

APIs/microservices

Mentoring

Communication

Education

BS/MS in CS or related

Tools

Kafka

Hadoop

Spark

Flink

Hive

Terraform

CloudFormation

TeamCity

Job description

Summary

Join Guidewire’s Data Platform and Analytics team, a group dedicated to building and operating our enterprise-grade, cloud-native data platform that powers mission-critical insights for the world’s leading P&C insurers. We thrive on collaboration, innovation, and a culture that values curiosity and continuous learning. Our team leverages the latest in big data and cloud technologies to deliver scalable, reliable, and secure solutions that drive measurable value for our customers. As a Staff Software Engineer – Data Platform, you will play a pivotal role in designing and building next-generation, internet-scale data and analytics SaaS services. We are seeking a hands-on technical leader with deep expertise in distributed systems, big data, and cloud-native architectures. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of Guidewire’s data platform, solve complex engineering challenges, and mentor others while contributing to our mission of delivering transformative innovation and operational excellence.

Job Description

What you’ll do Architect, design, and implement high-performance, cloud-native data platform and analytics SaaS services that process billions of real-time data points. Lead the development of large-scale, distributed systems using modern big data technologies (Kafka, Hadoop, Spark, Flink, Hive) and Java/Scala. Drive the design and build of real-time stream processing systems and microservices, ensuring scalability, reliability, and data security. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to multiple teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative engineering culture. Own and resolve complex code defects, and champion best practices in software development and system design. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver solutions aligned with Guidewire’s focus on AI, cloud, and data platform adoption. Emphasize team wins, strong communication, and agile delivery in a fast-paced environment. At Guidewire, we foster a culture of curiosity, innovation, and responsible use of AI—empowering our teams to continuously leverage emerging technologies and data-driven insights to enhance productivity and outcomes.

Required

• Demonstrated ability to embrace AI and apply it to your current role as well as data-driven insights to drive innovation, productivity, and continuous improvement.
• 8+ years’ experience in software engineering roles focused on data platforms or data engineering.
• Deep expertise in Java, with proficiency in designing and building large-scale distributed systems.
• Design and development of Machine Learning Platform.
• Strong understanding of distributed systems principles (consistency, availability, durability, reliability, fault-tolerance, consensus algorithms).
• Advanced knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and performance optimization.
• Experience with Kubernetes, AWS, Docker, and infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform/CloudFormation).
• Proven ability to design and develop microservices and API-driven systems.
• Excellent technical communication and mentoring skills.
• Eagerness to learn new technologies and a passion for innovation.

Preferred

• BS or MS degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience building data platforms using the modern Big Data stack (Kafka, Hadoop, Spark, Flink, Hive) on public cloud.
• Familiarity with ELK, Debezium, and building SaaS/PaaS on AWS/GCP/Azure.
• Experience with TeamCity-based CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience developing in multiple programming languages and frameworks.

Your Impact

We believe in clarity and setting you up for success. In your first six months, you’ll lead the hands-on design and implementation of core components for Guidewire’s next-generation data platform, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performing solutions. Your work will directly support Guidewire’s mission to deliver operational excellence and transformative innovation, accelerating AI, cloud, and data platform adoption for our customers. As you grow in the role, your technical leadership and mentorship will influence the direction of our platform and the success of teams across the organization.

What’s in it for you

• Flexible work environment (hybrid in San Mateo)
• Health and wellness benefits
• Paid time off programs, including volunteer time off
• Market-competitive pay and incentive programs
• Continual development and internal career growth opportunities
• All new hires participate in our in-person orientation process to ensure a strong start and connection to our unique culture

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $184,000 - $312,000. Your base pay will depend on your experience, skills, education, training, and location among other factors.

All full-time positions or part-time roles working 30 hours or more a week at Guidewire are eligible for benefits that support their health and well-being including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and a company sponsored retirement plan. In addition, some roles may be eligible for the annual company bonus plan, commissions, and/or long term incentive awards which are contingent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, company and employee performance.

Disability Accommodations and Guidewire’s Appeals Process. Guidewire provides accommodations to the hiring process to create a fair opportunity for candidates with disabilities to contend for open positions. Accommodation requests should be directed to [e-mail]. If things do not go as hoped, we invite you to use our appeals process. Guidewire promises to independently review any denied accommodation and any decision not to offer you the position. The appeals process is the same in either case. Within five business days of receiving a notice of denial of an accommodation, or receiving a notice of your non-selection for a vacancy, e‑mail [e-mail] to make an appeal. Guidewire will assign a new decision-maker to review the request and/or hiring decision, who will then notify you in writing of a decision within 10 business days.

About Guidewire

Guidewire is the platform P&C insurers trust to engage, innovate, and grow efficiently. We combine digital, core, analytics, and AI to deliver our platform as a cloud service. More than 540+ insurers in 40 countries, from new ventures to the largest and most complex in the world, run on Guidewire. As a partner to our customers, we continually evolve to enable their success. We are proud of our unparalleled implementation track record with 1600+ successful projects, supported by the largest R&D team and partner ecosystem in the industry. Our Marketplace provides hundreds of applications that accelerate integration, localization, and innovation. For more information, please visit www.guidewire.com and follow us on Twitter: @Guidewire_PandC.

Guidewire Software, Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to an inclusive workplace, and believe that a diversity of perspectives, abilities, and cultures is a key to our success. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability. All offers are contingent upon passing a criminal history and other background checks where it's applicable to the position.

We’re an extraordinary blend of hungry self-starters, intrepid explorers, brainy experts, and loyal allies. Combine all of this, and we make a glorious success story, loaded with down-to‑earth, helpful, and passionate people, all on the journey of cloud innovation and best in class technology. Guidewire’s an adventure—and it’s yours for the taking.

At Guidewire, we are utterly committed to customer success. We combine digital, core, analytics, and AI to deliver our platform as a cloud service to the P&C Insurance industry. And with the largest R&D team, services team, and partner ecosystem in the industry, we continually evolve and innovate to meet our customers’ needs. We put our values of Integrity, Rationality, and Collegiality first, harboring a culture of honesty and openness that our people never want to lose. And we each bring a little quirkiness—and a little genius—to the table. As the landscape of our industry continues to shift, we respond with flexibility and skill. We’re braving uncharted territory, pushing past the conventional with our products, partners, and people.