Senior Software Engineer

What is Shakudo? The name is the Japanese word for alloy—different metals combined into something new. That's exactly what we're doing at Shakudo.
We're building the world's first OS for data and AI—an ecosystem that empowers software engineers to build sophisticated data and AI applications without becoming infrastructure experts. We use "operating system" in the truest product sense: like iOS, Windows, or Linux, Shakudo provides an end‑to‑end, ever‑evolving, automatically operated stack of best‑of‑breed open‑source components, applications and integrations tailored to each business's needs.
Which segment of the market do we serve? As a startup, this evolves. Today, we serve large enterprises—often in air‑gapped data centers and complex deployment environments where failure isn't an option. It's one of our biggest value props and presents unique technical and product challenges. If you thrive in ambiguity and enjoy making the unknown known while solving problems that matter, you'll fit right in.
The role We are looking for passionate engineers who have extensive experience operating Kubernetes, building Kubernetes controllers, and control flow design and implementation. You'll lead and own complex platform features and enterprise customer implementations end‑to‑end—from architecture and development to deployment strategy and customer success. Your technical decisions directly impact how enterprise-scale organizations operate. 
You'll work side-by-side with customer stakeholders from technical teams to C-suite executives, transforming complex business challenges into production-grade AI solutions while establishing best practices that define the industry. As a startup, you'll have significant influence on technical direction and team culture.
We're an onsite team. Join us in the office for fast feedback loops, and shipping together at high velocity.
The ideal candidate We're an engineering‑first organization focused on solving the hardest problems in enterprise data and AI. We eat, breathe, and sleep the latest in systems engineering and customer delivery, adopting new tech when it's battle‑tested (half a step behind the bleeding edge). If you're excited about technical leadership that creates real-world impact and working on technology that transforms industries, you'll fit right in. We value high productivity, customer obsession, technical excellence, self-sufficiency, and autonomy without the ego.
What's the stack? Multi-tenant platform components run on Kubernetes with React/TypeScript frontends and TypeScript backends. Enterprise deployments leverage our advanced DevOps automation built on Kubernetes, Helm, and Terraform, with sophisticated implementations for enterprise security, compliance, and air-gapped environments where security and reliability are paramount.
We believe in picking the right tool for the job. If another AI framework or technology is better for creating breakthrough customer solutions, we'll use it.
Examples of what we build - Enterprise-scale GraphRAG systems that transform how Fortune 500 companies leverage institutional knowledge - Sophisticated multi-agent workflows that automate complex business operations previously requiring human expertise - Production AI platforms that integrate multiple cutting-edge frameworks to solve industry-defining challenges
You'll lead these breakthrough initiatives from vision to transformational reality, working directly with executive stakeholders to create lasting competitive advantages. Skills we're looking for

• Technologies: Kubernetes operators and controllers, Python, TypeScript, distributed systems, advanced AI/ML frameworks
• Enterprise platform experience with complex, mission-critical deployments where failure has real consequences
• Self-sufficient technical leader. You have taste for scalable architectures that solve problems others can't
• Ability to independently architect platform solutions that become the backbone of enterprise operations
• Comfort with ambiguity; turn complex, high-stakes customer requirements into clear technical solutions with minimal guidance
• Strong analytical mindset and proven ability to solve complex technical problems under pressure
• Leadership experience mentoring engineers and driving technical initiatives that matter
• Passion for customer impact and translating technical excellence into business outcomes

If you join us, you'll help shape:

• Platform architecture strategy that defines how enterprises handle data and AI at scale
• Customer implementation methodologies for complex, business-critical projects
• Platform-level quality standards for systems that power critical business operations
• Customer delivery excellence that creates transformational business impact
• Product and technical strategy that shapes the future of enterprise data infrastructure
• AI application strategy that defines how enterprises compete with AI
• Advanced AI solution methodologies for complex, transformational projects
• AI solution quality standards for systems that become competitive differentiators

Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shakudo in-person, remote, or distributed? This role is based onsite to support the high security requirements of our clients and enable effective collaboration. We have a welcoming office environment, fully stocked with snacks, regular team outings (summer boat cruise, escape room, etc.), and a strong focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance while doing meaningful, impactful work together.
What's the interview process? We build a deeply technical product that solves real-world problems. Because of its technical nature and customer impact focus, our interview process emphasizes both technical excellence and customer-focused thinking while respecting everyone's time.
What's the full package? Shakudo offers a high-impact package: competitive salary, meaningful equity so you share in the upside of transformational technology, and top-tier health benefits that have you fully covered. We provide 16+ weeks of pregnancy leave top-up and a flexible vacation policy—because building transformational technology requires supporting the people who build it. More importantly, you'll work on technology that matters.
Shakudo is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We foster diversity and inclusivity and welcome applications from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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