Staff Software Engineer - OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation (Remote, EMEA)

To apply for the Staff Software Engineer position focused on OpenTelemetry Java Instrumentation at Grafana Labs, you should have at least 8 years of experience in software development with a strong proficiency in Java. Familiarity with additional languages like Python, .NET, Golang, or JavaScript is beneficial. Practical experience with cloud-based software development and knowledge of observability tools like Grafana and Prometheus from a developer’s perspective is also desired.

As a Staff Software Engineer for OpenTelemetry at Grafana Labs, your core responsibilities include improving the OpenTelemetry Java SDK, mentoring junior engineers, collaborating within open-source communities, and promoting best practices around observability. You will also work on strategic projects within the OpenTelemetry ecosystem, contribute to the OpenTelemetry specification, and engage in business conversations regarding the technical direction and vision of the team.

At Grafana Labs, collaboration is a cornerstone of our culture. As a Staff Software Engineer focused on OpenTelemetry, you'll work closely with diverse teams, engage in regular video calls, and leverage a remote-first approach that embraces independent work while fostering team collaboration. You’ll be encouraged to share knowledge and support team members, creating an open and respectful environment for everyone.

Contributing to open-source communities is a vital part of the Staff Software Engineer role at Grafana Labs, especially for OpenTelemetry. By engaging with the community, you not only help enhance the OpenTelemetry ecosystem but also establish yourself as a thought leader and expert in the field. This collaboration can lead to lasting relationships, valuable feedback, and further innovations that benefit both Grafana Labs and the broader software community.

Grafana Labs supports career growth for Staff Software Engineers by providing a dedicated career path that allows engineers to advance without necessarily taking on managerial roles. You will have opportunities to take ownership of projects, mentor others, and engage in ongoing technical discussions that help shape your career trajectory while ensuring continuous learning and development.

In your response, highlight your solid experience with Java, focusing on specific projects where you utilized Java effectively. Mention any frameworks you’ve worked with, how you ensured code quality, and any performance improvements you drove. Relate this to the responsibilities of improving the OpenTelemetry Java SDK, showing how your skills align with the role’s expectations.

When answering this question, describe specific mentoring techniques that foster collaboration, such as conducting code reviews, hosting knowledge-sharing sessions, or pairing on projects. Emphasize your commitment to supporting growth among team members, which is critical for a Staff Software Engineer at Grafana.

In your answer, discuss tools and practices such as regular video check-ins, clear communication channels, and documentation to ensure alignment with remote teams. Focus on the importance of maintaining strong connections, fostering team culture, and ensuring everyone can contribute despite geographic distances.

Share specific examples of contributions to open-source projects, particularly any relevant to OpenTelemetry. Talk about the nature of your contributions, the challenges faced, and the feedback received from the community, demonstrating how these experiences would benefit the role at Grafana Labs.

Articulate your understanding of current observability challenges, such as data integration, scalability, and tool usability. Propose insights and strategies that align with Grafana's mission, showcasing your knowledge and critical thinking relevant to the Staff Software Engineer role.

Reflect on significant projects where you've had a leadership or key role, describing the technical aspects, your contributions, and the outcomes. Relate this back to the expected responsibilities at Grafana Labs, showing how your past experiences will translate into success in this position.

Talk about practices such as adhering to coding standards, utilizing code reviews, writing comprehensive tests, and documentation. Discuss how these practices translate into developing high-quality software, aligning with Grafana Labs’ aims to deliver effective observability tools.

Share your personal interest in expanding your skill set, including specific technologies or languages of relevance to Grafana, like observability tools or cloud services. This communicates your commitment to continuous learning, which aligns with the values of Grafana Labs.

Describe your end-to-end project management experience, emphasizing how you gather requirements, brainstorm ideas, and transform them into working solutions. Highlight relevant projects and the methodologies (like Agile) you've used, connecting your experience to Grafana’s focus on delivering impactful projects.

Share your passion for observability, relating it to real-world examples of how it helped improve application performance or enabled better user experiences. This not only showcases your interest but also your understanding of Grafana's mission and vision in the observability space.