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An overview of this role
We’re seeking a Principal Engineer with deep experience in Site Reliability Engineering, Backend, or Platform Engineering who can drive strategic platform initiatives, focusing on our multi-tenant SaaS. This role is part visionary, part architect, and part organizational force multiplier—playing a critical part in how GitLab’s infrastructure evolves to meet the needs of the business, and the needs of our customers.
This Principal Engineer will oversee technical roadmaps for all aspects of Production Engineering (including Observability, Network Edge, Disaster Recovery and Runway) and work in close collaboration with teams for Database Operations and Cells.
They are also expected to mentor engineers who are on the technical track to further mature our engineering practices in the department.
What you’ll do
Lead platform improvement efforts—evaluate what we have today and make strategic improvements to meet future scale.
Act as a technical partner to platform and infrastructure teams to align systems architecture with long-term business goals.
Collaborate with engineering leadership, Engineering Managers, and product teams to ensure production engineering priorities reflect broader platform strategy.
Engage with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure we're meeting current and future needs, especially adjacent to initiatives like Cells.
Shape how GitLab supports the infrastructure needs of other teams by identifying patterns, gaps, and opportunities to better serve them.
Contribute to and influence roadmap conversations across SRE, observability, operations, and capacity planning.
Provide architectural oversight to ensure resiliency, scalability, and performance across the multi-tenant SaaS platform.
Look for opportunities to align technical solutions with our counterparts on Dedicated (the single-tenant SaaS platform)
Mentor senior engineers and partner with Engineering Managers to ensure platform teams are staffed appropriately to support strategic priorities.
What you’ll bring
Strong background in backend, site reliability or platform engineering.
Experience building and scaling production infrastructure and platform services.
Strategic thinker with the ability to connect technical decisions to business outcomes.
Track record of leading cross-functional initiatives and improving system-level performance and reliability.
Experience aligning engineering roadmaps across multiple infrastructure teams.
Comfortable with modern programming languages such as Go or Ruby.
Deep familiarity with observability, infrastructure operations, and production readiness.
Collaborative spirit and proven ability to mentor and influence engineers and leaders alike.
How GitLab will support you
Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
All remote, asynchronous work environment
Flexible Paid Time Off
Team Member Resource Groups
Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Growth and development budget
Parental leave
Home office support
Please note that we welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you're excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application.
Remote-Global
The base salary range for this role’s listed level is currently for residents of listed locations only. Grade level and salary ranges are determined through interviews and a review of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant, equity with other team members, and alignment with market data. See more information on our benefits and equity. Sales roles are also eligible for incentive pay targeted at up to 100% of the offered base salary.
California/Colorado/Hawaii/New Jersey/New York/Washington/DC/Illinois/Minnesota pay range
$171,400—$367,200 USD
Country Hiring Guidelines: GitLab hires new team members in countries around the world. All of our roles are remote, however some roles may carry specific location-based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can help answer any questions about location after starting the recruiting process.
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GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.