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Robinhood is seeking a Senior Staff Software Developer to own the architectural evolution of Core Infrastructure—the foundational platform that powers all engineering at Robinhood. This is a high-impact, once-in-a-platform-lifecycle opportunity to redesign infrastructure before complexity becomes permanent.
You will own three deeply interconnected domains: service mesh and connectivity (Istio/Envoy), compute platform (Kubernetes), and infrastructure provisioning (Terraform). Your decisions will directly shape engineering velocity, operational reliability, and Robinhood's ability to expand globally.
Key responsibilities include:
- Own service mesh architecture end-to-end: standardize and evolve Istio and Envoy deployment, eliminate deprecated patterns, and build the networking foundation for multi-region operation
- Drive Kubernetes compute platform evolution: define long-term direction for cluster lifecycle, scheduling strategy, control plane architecture, and multi-region resiliency
- Redesign infrastructure provisioning: transform Terraform from ad-hoc configurations into a scalable, self-service platform enabling rapid region provisioning and developer autonomy
- Operate with source-level depth: diagnose and resolve issues at the Kubernetes API machinery, etcd, Envoy xDS, and Terraform provider layer; contribute upstream where appropriate
- Define technical direction across teams: produce architecture proposals, lead design reviews, and drive cross-functional alignment on infrastructure decisions affecting the entire engineering organization
Required expertise:
- Deep, hands-on knowledge of Kubernetes internals (API server, controller reconciliation, etcd, scheduler, admission control)
- Deep working knowledge of Istio and/or Envoy at source code level, including xDS API protocol and control-plane/data-plane debugging
- HTTP/2 and gRPC wire-level knowledge (connection management, flow control, stream multiplexing, observability)
- Terraform at architectural scale (module design, provider internals, remote state, multi-region provisioning)
- Production Go or Python for infrastructure tooling with strong fundamentals in well-structured, tested, operationally sound code
- Proven ability to drive cross-functional architectural change in large engineering organizations, influencing without authority
Robinhood offers competitive compensation with performance multipliers, equity ownership, comprehensive benefits including supplemental health insurance, mental health support, lifestyle wallet for flexible benefits spending, generous time off, and an exceptional office experience with catered meals and commuter stipends. The role is based in Toronto with in-person attendance expected at least 3 days per week.
