At Klaviyo, we value the unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives each Klaviyo (we call ourselves Klaviyos) brings to our workplace each and every day. We believe everyone deserves a fair shot at success and appreciate the experiences each person brings beyond the traditional job requirements. If you’re a close but not exact match with the description, we hope you’ll still consider applying. Want to learn more about life at Klaviyo? Visit klaviyo.com/careers to see how we empower creators to own their own destiny.
As a hands‑on principal for compute, networking, storage, runtimes (e.g., Kubernetes), CI/CD, and observability, you’ll architect the service platform that lets teams ship fast and safely. IC role—no direct reports—you lead via design, code, and incident excellence, setting technical standards and SLOs for platform services.
What You’ll Do
- Architect and evolve the Kubernetes platform, service mesh, networking, storage, and CI/CD pipelines; ship golden paths and IaC modules.
- Define platform SLOs; use error budgets to guide reliability vs. velocity trade‑offs; drive incident learning and readiness reviews.
- Improve developer velocity (build/deploy times, flaky tests, local dev ergonomics) with measurable results.
- Lead capacity planning and commitments; build guardrails for cost, security, and compliance with Security/FinOps partners.
- Write high‑impact code, automation, and tooling; mentor across teams and raise the bar on operational excellence
- Embed AI in the developer experience—from code generation to observability and incident response—so teams ship faster and safer by default.
Who You Are
- Experience: 10+ years building and operating cloud platforms (compute, networking, storage, runtimes like Kubernetes), with a track record of multi‑region HA and SLO rigor.
- Technical expertise: Deep in Kubernetes, service mesh, Terraform/IaC, CI/CD, and production observability; you ship golden paths and guardrails that lift the whole org.
- Experience with databases and storage systems, including SQL and NoSQL databases, and object, block, or file storage platforms.
- AI tools & automation: You’ve brought AI into platform engineering—from copilot‑assisted workflows and intelligent test generation to AIOps for incident triage, anomaly detection, and runbook automation—with clear security and cost boundaries.
- Ops leadership: You lead via design reviews, incident excellence, and SLO/error‑budget tradeoffs communicated in business terms.
- AI fluency: You’re hands‑on with AI tools and help teams adopt them responsibly.
Nice to Haves
- Core SLOs & velocity: ≥99.95% SLOs for core services; 25–50% faster build/deploy times; developer‑reported friction trending down.
- AI‑enabled platform: Approved AI tooling is integrated into IDE/CI/CD with repo policies and auditability; ≥70% MAU among eligible engineers; MTTR down 20–30% via AI‑assisted triage; flaky‑test rate decreases through targeted, AI‑suggested fixes.
- Guardrails in place: Cost, security, and compliance controls are codified as IaC modules and enforced in paved roads.
- Experience with enterprise governance, including compliance and audit requirements.
- Familiarity with GDPR and data privacy considerations in large-scale, production environments.
Success in 6–12 Months
- ≥99.95% SLOs for core services; 25–50% faster build/deploy times; reduced developer‑reported friction; incident recurrence trending down.
We use Covey as part of our hiring and / or promotional process. For jobs or candidates in NYC, certain features may qualify it as an AEDT. As part of the evaluation process we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound on April 3, 2025.
Please see the independent bias audit report covering our use of Covey here
Massachusetts Applicants:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Our salary range reflects the cost of labor across various U.S. geographic markets. The range displayed below reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all our US locations. The base salary offered for this position is determined by several factors, including the applicant’s job-related skills, relevant experience, education or training, and work location.
In addition to base salary, our total compensation package may include participation in the company’s annual cash bonus plan, variable compensation (OTE) for sales and customer success roles, equity, sign-on payments, and a comprehensive range of health, welfare, and wellbeing benefits based on eligibility.
Your recruiter can provide more details about the specific salary/OTE range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
This role may require up to 10% travel for purposes such as new hire onboarding, client or partner work if applicable, team meetings, and industry events. Travel is coordinated in advance.
Get to Know Klaviyo
We’re Klaviyo (pronounced clay-vee-oh). We empower creators to own their destiny by making first-party data accessible and actionable like never before. We see limitless potential for the technology we’re developing to nurture personalized experiences in ecommerce and beyond. To reach our goals, we need our own crew of remarkable creators—ambitious and collaborative teammates who stay focused on our north star: delighting our customers. If you’re ready to do the best work of your career, where you’ll be welcomed as your whole self from day one and supported with generous benefits, we hope you’ll join us.
AI fluency at Klaviyo includes responsible use of AI (including privacy, security, bias awareness, and human-in-the-loop). We provide accommodations as needed.
By participating in Klaviyo’s interview process, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and will adhere to our Guidelines for using AI in the Klaviyo interview Process. For more information about how we process your personal data, see our Job Applicant Privacy Notice.
Klaviyo is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, citizenship, national origin, color, religion or religious creed, age, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, veteran or active military status, marital status, criminal record, genetics, retaliation, sexual harassment or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Skills Required
- 10+ years building and operating cloud platforms
- Expertise in Kubernetes, service mesh, Terraform, CI/CD, and observability
- Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases
- Hands-on experience with AI tools in platform engineering
- Ability to mentor teams and lead design reviews
What the Team is Saying
Klaviyo Compensation & Benefits Highlights
How does Klaviyo ensure its pay and bonus plans are competitive?
Klaviyo supports competitive pay through a total rewards approach that combines salary, equity, bonus opportunities, benefits, learning support and a performance culture tied to measurable impact.
- Competitive total rewards: Klaviyo’s benefits overview highlights competitive salaries, 401(k) match, employee referral bonuses, equity, an employee stock purchase plan, flexible paid time off, commuter/transit support, fitness reimbursements, mental and emotional wellbeing programming and learning support. External reviews reinforce the value of the package, with employees citing competitive pay, bonuses, RSUs, ESPP, health insurance, parental leave, unlimited PTO and learning stipends as meaningful parts of the employee experience.
- Pay connected to impact and outcomes: Klaviyo’s handbook frames performance around ownership, clarity and measurable results. The value “Know the score” states that results matter more than effort alone, while “Drivers wanted” emphasizes proactive ownership and “Be meticulous in your craft” reinforces a high bar for work quality. That creates a compensation and recognition philosophy where strong outcomes, not just activity, are central to advancement and rewards.
- Equity and long-term value: Equity is a visible part of Klaviyo’s rewards story. Klaviyo offers equity packages to all full-time employees, vesting over four years, and provides an employee stock purchase plan. That ownership opportunity sits within a growing business: in Q1 2026, Klaviyo reported $358 million in revenue, up 28% year over year, and raised full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $1.514 billion to $1.522 billion. Those business results give employees a clear connection between company performance, long-term growth and the value of ownership-based compensation.
- Rewards supported by growth and development benefits: Klaviyo’s compensation package is paired with benefits that help employees grow their careers and build long-term value. K-Pro Learn, learning stipends, mentorship, Career Architecture and manager development programs support continued skill-building. A customer success manager noted that Klaviyo offers a learning stipend for job-related coaching or training, while employee survey insights show 78% of respondents feel they are gaining the skills and experience to grow their careers.
- External signals:
- Compensation Sentiment: External reviews frequently praise Klaviyo’s competitive salary, bonuses, equity, RSUs, ESPP, 401(k) match, learning stipend and generous benefits. (Glassdoor; Comparably)
- Rewards Ratings: Comparably rates Klaviyo’s compensation an A and perks and benefits an A. (Comparably)
- Employee Value Signals: Reviews highlight PTO, health insurance, parental leave, office amenities, learning support and work-life balance as part of the overall rewards package. (Glassdoor; Comparably)
Bottom line: Klaviyo keeps compensation competitive by combining salary, bonus opportunities, equity, ESPP, retirement support, benefits and learning resources with a culture that rewards ownership, measurable outcomes and long-term impact.
Klaviyo Insights
What We Do
Klaviyo (NYSE: KVYO) is the B2C CRM. Powered by its built-in data platform and AI, Klaviyo combines marketing automation, analytics, and customer service into one unified solution, making it easy for businesses to know their customers and grow faster. Klaviyo (CLAY-vee-oh) helps over 183,000 brands like Mattel, Glossier, Daily Harvest, and Liquid Death deliver 1:1 experiences at scale, improve efficiency, and drive revenue.
Why Work With Us
We refer to our employees as ‘Klaviyos’, and we make up a diverse community united around shared values: We’re curious, collaborative, driven, innovative, fun, and fully ourselves at work. No matter which team you join, your work won’t just impact Klaviyo. It’ll help empower our customers and enable creators across the globe to own their destinies.
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Klaviyo Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
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