Fullstack Software Engineer – Kafka Ecosystem

About the role

We are looking for a Fullstack Software Engineer to join our Kafka Ecosystem team. You will build end‑to‑end features that span production‑grade Python services, open‑source components such as Karapace, and React/TypeScript user interfaces. The role is based in Helsinki with a hybrid work model.

Key responsibilities

• Extend and maintain Karapace, adding schema compatibility logic, REST Proxy features and OpenAPI coverage.
• Manage the connector ecosystem – upgrade, release and secure connectors like Debezium, JDBC, S3, BigQuery and OpenSearch.
• Participate in design and code reviews, write well‑tested code and influence technical direction.
• Ship code through CI/CD pipelines (Buildkite, GitHub Actions) and resolve production issues across the stack.
• Own features from API design, async Python backend implementation to React/TypeScript UI delivery.

Required profile

• Strong Python expertise, comfortable with async/await, type annotations and testing.
• Full‑stack capability to contribute to a React/TypeScript codebase and deliver shipped UI.
• Understanding of distributed‑system concepts such as consistency, replication and failure handling.
• Familiarity with schema formats (Avro, JSON Schema, Protobuf) and Linux process management.
• Fluent English communication and daily use of AI‑assisted coding tools.

Required skills

• Python (async, type‑annotated)
• React and TypeScript
• Apache Kafka and Kafka Connect
• Avro, JSON Schema, Protobuf
• Linux system debugging
• AI coding assistants (e.g., Claude Code)
• Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)
• Java (for connector development)
• Observability tools (Prometheus, distributed tracing)

What we offer

• Equity participation in Aiven.
• Hybrid work policy with three days per week in the Helsinki office.
• Choice of equipment and a professional development budget.
• Global employee assistance program and generous time‑off policies.
• Access to a collaborative open‑source‑focused engineering culture.