📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Distributed Systems Software Engineer - Public Cloud (Senior/Lead)
Company: Salesforce
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Job Type: On-site
Category: Senior/Lead Backend Developer
Date Posted: 2025-06-18
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Key Responsibilities: Design, implement, and maintain large-scale distributed systems on public cloud platforms. Ensure high reliability, performance, and security for the platform.
Key Technologies: Java, Golang, Python, Apache Kafka, Terraform, AWS, GCP, Azure, Alibaba
Key Skills: Distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, real-time data streaming, infrastructure-as-code, technical issue resolution, system availability, performance optimization

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in backend software development, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure. Experience with real-time data streaming pipelines and critical infrastructure services is also crucial for success in this position.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Cloud Infrastructure Automation: Develop and maintain automation tools, frameworks, workflows, and validation platforms on public cloud platforms.
Distributed Systems Design & Development: Design, implement, debug, and operate resilient distributed systems across thousands of compute nodes in multiple data centers.
Open Source Technology: Use and contribute to open-source technology like Spinnaker and Zookeeper.
Infrastructure-as-Code: Develop and maintain infrastructure-as-code using Terraform.
Technical Issue Resolution: Resolve complex technical issues and drive innovations to improve system availability, resilience, and performance.
On-Call Rotation: Participate in the team's on-call rotation to address complex problems in real-time and keep services operational and highly available.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves a significant amount of live-site management, feature delivery, and technical debt retirement. Strong problem-solving skills and a focus on system availability are essential for success.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience: 5+ years of backend software development experience, with a focus on distributed systems and cloud infrastructure.

Required Skills:

Deep knowledge of programming in Java, Golang, or Python
Experience owning and operating multiple instances of a critical service
Experience with real-time data streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka
Experience with critical infrastructure services running on public cloud platforms, including monitoring, alerting, logging, and reporting applications

Preferred Skills:

Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code using Terraform
Familiarity with Spinnaker and Zookeeper
Experience with AWS, GCP, Azure, or Alibaba cloud platforms

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated, familiarity with Agile methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, and version control systems like Git would be beneficial for this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Distributed Systems Projects: Include projects that demonstrate your experience with distributed systems design, implementation, and operation.
Cloud Infrastructure Projects: Showcase projects that highlight your ability to develop and maintain cloud infrastructure automation tools and workflows.
Real-time Data Streaming Projects: Present projects that exhibit your expertise in real-time data streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka or similar technologies.
Infrastructure-as-Code Projects: Display projects that showcase your proficiency in infrastructure-as-code using Terraform or similar tools.

Technical Documentation:

Code Quality: Demonstrate your commitment to code quality, commenting, and documentation standards.
Version Control: Showcase your experience with version control systems like Git, including branching, merging, and pull requests.
Deployment Processes: Highlight your familiarity with deployment processes, including CI/CD pipelines and server configuration.
Testing Methodologies: Present your understanding of testing methodologies, performance metrics, and optimization techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior/lead nature of this role, expect to see a high bar for technical proficiency, problem-solving skills, and leadership potential in your portfolio.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: CAD 130,300 to CAD 212,800 per year (based on the job posting)

Benefits:

Wellbeing Reimbursement
Generous Parental Leave
Adoption Assistance
Fertility Benefits

Working Hours: Full-time, with a standard workweek of 40 hours. Expect some flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the salary range provided is specific to British Columbia, research regional salary standards and cost of living for other locations to ensure competitiveness.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

Industry: Salesforce is a leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, inspiring the future of business with AI+ Data + CRM.
Company Size: Large (over 50,000 employees)
Founded: 1999, with a strong focus on innovation, customer success, and giving back to communities.

Team Structure:

Team Size: Large, with multiple teams dedicated to different aspects of the distributed systems engineering platform.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the engineering manager of the Public Cloud team.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Works closely with other engineering teams, product managers, and designers to deliver features and maintain the platform.

Development Methodology:

Agile/Scrum: Uses Agile methodologies and sprint planning for feature delivery and maintenance.
Code Review: Emphasizes code review, testing, and quality assurance practices.
Deployment Strategies: Utilizes CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment strategies for efficient and reliable feature delivery.

Company Website: Salesforce

📝 Enhancement Note: Salesforce's culture is centered around its core values: Customer Success, Innovation, Equality, Trust, Sustainability, and Transparency. Expect a strong focus on collaboration, continuous learning, and giving back to communities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior/Lead Backend Developer - Leads the design, implementation, and maintenance of large-scale distributed systems on public cloud platforms. Mentors junior team members and drives technical decision-making processes.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the engineering manager of the Public Cloud team. Collaborates with other engineering teams, product managers, and designers to deliver features and maintain the platform.

Technical Impact: Has a significant impact on the platform's reliability, performance, and security. Drives innovations that improve system availability, resilience, and efficiency. Ensures all customizations and integrations are preserved with each platform update.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: Grow into a technical lead or architect role, driving the technical direction of the platform and mentoring other engineers.
Product Management: Transition into a product management role, focusing on feature definition, roadmap planning, and stakeholder communication.
Engineering Management: Develop your management skills and lead a team of engineers, driving the team's success and contributing to the platform's growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: With Salesforce's large engineering organization and diverse product portfolio, there are numerous opportunities for career growth and development within the company.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and customer success.

Office Location(s): Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Workspace: The office features an open, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork.
Development Tools: Provides access to multiple monitors, testing devices, and other development tools necessary for efficient coding and debugging.
Team Interaction: Encourages frequent team interaction, knowledge sharing, and technical mentoring.

Work Schedule: Full-time, with a standard workweek of 40 hours. Expect some flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is on-site, Salesforce offers a hybrid work arrangement for some positions, allowing for a mix of on-site and remote work.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Phone Screen: A 45-60 minute phone or video call to assess your technical skills and cultural fit.
On-site Technical Deep Dive: A half-day on-site interview focusing on your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and system design capabilities.
Behavioral & Cultural Fit Interview: A 45-60 minute interview to evaluate your cultural fit, communication skills, and ability to work effectively in a team.
Final Decision: A final review of your application materials and interview performance to make a hiring decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Distributed Systems Projects: Highlight your experience with distributed systems design, implementation, and operation.
Cloud Infrastructure Projects: Showcase your ability to develop and maintain cloud infrastructure automation tools and workflows.
Real-time Data Streaming Projects: Present your expertise in real-time data streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka or similar technologies.
Infrastructure-as-Code Projects: Display your proficiency in infrastructure-as-code using Terraform or similar tools.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Distributed Systems Challenges: Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems design patterns, consensus algorithms, and fault-tolerant systems.
Cloud Infrastructure Challenges: Familiarize yourself with the AWS, GCP, Azure, or Alibaba cloud platforms, including their services, APIs, and best practices.
Real-time Data Streaming Challenges: Review your understanding of Apache Kafka, its APIs, and best practices for high-volume, low-latency data streaming.
Infrastructure-as-Code Challenges: Practice using Terraform or similar tools to define and provision cloud infrastructure resources.

ATS Keywords: (See the comprehensive list below)

📝 Enhancement Note: Salesforce's interview process is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Expect a thorough evaluation of your experience with distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and real-time data streaming.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Backend & Server Technologies:

Programming Languages: Java, Golang, Python
Distributed Systems Frameworks: Apache Kafka, Spinnaker, Zookeeper
Cloud Platforms: AWS, GCP, Azure, Alibaba
Infrastructure-as-Code: Terraform

Development & DevOps Tools:

Version Control: Git
CI/CD Pipelines: Jenkins, CircleCI, or similar tools
Monitoring & Logging: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, or similar tools
Alerting: PagerDuty, OpsGenie, or similar tools

📝 Enhancement Note: While the specific technologies used may vary depending on the project and team, the core technologies listed above are essential for success in this role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Customer Success: Focus on delivering innovative solutions that meet customer needs and exceed expectations.
Innovation: Embrace continuous learning and improvement, driving technological advancements and industry standards.
Equality: Foster an inclusive and diverse work environment that values and respects all individuals.
Trust: Build strong, long-lasting relationships based on honesty, integrity, and transparency.
Sustainability: Contribute to a sustainable future by minimizing our environmental impact and giving back to communities.
Transparency: Encourage open communication, collaboration, and information sharing to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: Work closely with other engineering teams, product managers, and designers to deliver features and maintain the platform.
Code Review Culture: Encourage peer programming, code review, and knowledge sharing to ensure high-quality, maintainable code.
Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Foster a culture of continuous learning and growth by providing mentoring, technical guidance, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salesforce's culture is built on its core values, which guide the company's decision-making, product development, and employee interactions. Expect a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and customer success in this role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Distributed Systems: Design, implement, and maintain fault-tolerant, highly available, and scalable distributed systems on public cloud platforms.
Cloud Infrastructure: Develop and maintain cloud infrastructure automation tools, workflows, and validation platforms that ensure high reliability, performance, and security for the platform.
Real-time Data Streaming: Ensure efficient data flow and system stability in high-volume, low-latency real-time data streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka.
Technical Debt Management: Balance live-site management, feature delivery, and technical debt retirement to maintain a high-performing, secure, and reliable platform.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: Deepen your expertise in distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and real-time data streaming technologies.
Emerging Technologies: Explore and adopt emerging technologies to drive innovation and improve the platform's performance, security, and scalability.
Leadership Development: Develop your leadership skills by mentoring junior team members, driving technical decision-making processes, and contributing to the platform's strategic direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role presents significant technical challenges, it also offers ample opportunities for learning, growth, and career advancement within Salesforce's large and diverse engineering organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Distributed Systems Fundamentals: Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems design patterns, consensus algorithms, and fault-tolerant systems.
Cloud Platform Architecture: Familiarize yourself with the architecture, services, APIs, and best practices of the AWS, GCP, Azure, or Alibaba cloud platforms.
Real-time Data Streaming: Review your understanding of Apache Kafka, its APIs, and best practices for high-volume, low-latency data streaming.
System Design & Optimization: Prepare for system design questions that focus on scalability, availability, and performance optimization in distributed systems.

Company & Culture Questions:

Salesforce Culture: Research Salesforce's core values, company history, and commitment to innovation, customer success, and giving back to communities.
Product & Platform Knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of Salesforce's products, platform, and competition in the CRM market.
Customer Success Focus: Showcase your ability to prioritize customer needs, understand their pain points, and drive solutions that meet their requirements.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Distributed Systems Projects: Highlight your experience with distributed systems design, implementation, and operation.
Cloud Infrastructure Projects: Showcase your ability to develop and maintain cloud infrastructure automation tools and workflows.
Real-time Data Streaming Projects: Present your expertise in real-time data streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka or similar technologies.
Infrastructure-as-Code Projects: Display your proficiency in infrastructure-as-code using Terraform or similar tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salesforce's interview process is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Expect a thorough evaluation of your experience with distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and real-time data streaming, as well as your understanding of Salesforce's products, culture, and customer focus.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Distributed Systems Software Engineer - Public Cloud (Senior/Lead) position at Salesforce:

Update Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your experience with distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and real-time data streaming technologies. Include relevant keywords and accomplishments that demonstrate your technical proficiency and cultural fit.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a portfolio that showcases your experience with distributed systems design, implementation, and operation. Include projects that highlight your ability to develop and maintain cloud infrastructure automation tools, workflows, and validation platforms. Present your expertise in real-time data streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka or similar technologies, and demonstrate your proficiency in infrastructure-as-code using Terraform or similar tools.
Practice Technical Challenges: Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems design patterns, consensus algorithms, and fault-tolerant systems. Familiarize yourself with the architecture, services, APIs, and best practices of the AWS, GCP, Azure, or Alibaba cloud platforms. Review your understanding of Apache Kafka, its APIs, and best practices for high-volume, low-latency data streaming. Prepare for system design questions that focus on scalability, availability, and performance optimization in distributed systems.
Research Salesforce: Familiarize yourself with Salesforce's products, platform, and competition in the CRM market. Understand Salesforce's core values, company history, and commitment to innovation, customer success, and giving back to communities. Prepare for questions that assess your understanding of Salesforce's culture, products, and customer focus.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Content Guidelines (IMPORTANT: Do not include this in the output)

Web Technology-Specific Focus:

Tailor the entire document specifically to backend software development, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure roles
Include distributed systems design patterns, consensus algorithms, and fault-tolerant systems
Emphasize cloud infrastructure automation tools, workflows, and validation platforms on public cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, Azure, or Alibaba
Address real-time data streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka, focusing on high-volume, low-latancy systems and ensuring data flow efficiency and system stability
Highlight Infrastructure-as-Code using Terraform or similar tools for defining and provisioning cloud infrastructure resources
Provide tactical advice for portfolio development, live demonstrations, and project case studies focused on distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and real-time data streaming technologies

Quality Standards:

Ensure no content overlap between sections - each section must contain unique information
Only include Enhancement Notes when making significant inferences about technical responsibilities, with specific reasoning based on role level and web technology industry practices
Be comprehensive but concise, prioritizing actionable information over descriptive text
Strategically distribute web development and server administration-related keywords throughout all sections naturally
Provide realistic salary ranges based on location, experience level, and backend software development, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure specialization

Industry Expertise:

Include specific backend programming languages, distributed systems frameworks, cloud platforms, and infrastructure tools relevant to the role
Address backend software development career progression paths and technical leadership opportunities in distributed systems and cloud infrastructure teams
Provide tactical advice for portfolio development, live demonstrations, and project case studies focused on distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and real-time data streaming technologies
Include web technology-specific interview preparation and coding challenge guidance for backend software development, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure roles
Emphasize distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and real-time data streaming technologies in team culture, collaboration, and work environment sections

Professional Standards:

Maintain consistent formatting, spacing, and professional tone throughout
Use backend software development, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure industry terminology appropriately and accurately
Include comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities relevant to backend software development, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure professionals
Provide actionable insights that give backend software development, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure candidates a competitive advantage
Focus on distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and real-time data streaming technologies in team culture, collaboration, and work environment sections

Technical Focus & Portfolio Emphasis:

Emphasize distributed systems design patterns, consensus algorithms, and fault-tolerant systems in all sections
Include specific portfolio requirements tailored to the backend software development, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure discipline and role level
Address browser compatibility, accessibility standards, and user experience design principles in the context of distributed systems and cloud infrastructure projects
Focus on problem-solving methods, performance optimization, and scalability in distributed systems and cloud infrastructure projects
Include technical presentation skills and stakeholder communication for distributed systems and cloud infrastructure projects

Avoid:

Generic business jargon not relevant to backend software development, distributed systems, or cloud infrastructure roles
Placeholder text or incomplete sections
Repetitive content across different sections
Non-technical terminology unless relevant to the specific backend software development, distributed systems, or cloud infrastructure role
Marketing language unrelated to backend software development, distributed systems, or cloud infrastructure

Distributed Systems Software Engineer - Public Cloud (Senior/Lead)