Principal Platform Software Engineer
About The Position
The Java Platform Group is responsible for advancing the Java platform through the OpenJDK community and delivering innovative capabilities to millions of developers worldwide. Within this organization, Project Babylon is defining the next generation of Java metaprogramming by extending the platform with powerful code reflection and transformation capabilities. Project Babylon enables Java libraries and frameworks to analyze, transform, and execute Java code across a wide range of programming models, including GPUs, AI/ML accelerators, SQL engines, and other heterogeneous computing environments. The team works at the intersection of the Java language, compiler technology, runtime systems, and libraries, designing APIs and platform capabilities that expand what developers can express in Java while maintaining the platform's core principles of performance, safety, and portability. We are looking for an experienced software engineer to join our team developing Project Babylon, one of the most ambitious initiatives underway in OpenJDK. Babylon is extending the Java platform with new code reflection and program transformation capabilities that enable Java code to be analyzed, optimized, and adapted for modern programming models, including AI/ML, GPU computing, SQL processing, and other domain-specific execution environments. As a member of the team, you will work alongside some of the industry's leading Java architects and OpenJDK contributors to design and implement foundational platform technologies that will shape the future of Java. Responsibilities include designing new platform APIs, implementing compiler and runtime functionality, developing high-quality tests, evaluating performance, and collaborating across OpenJDK projects to deliver robust, production-quality features. Additional responsibilities include working with the OpenJDK community, customers, and technology partners to investigate defects, evaluate enhancement requests, and help drive the evolution of future Java releases.
Requirements
- B.S. or above in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent degree.
- 5+ years of software engineering experience developing complex systems software.
- Strong proficiency in Java and object-oriented software design.
- Strong understanding of programming language implementation, compiler technologies, or runtime systems.
- Experience designing and implementing public APIs and software frameworks.
- Strong background in algorithms, data structures, concurrency, and performance optimization.
- Experience debugging complex software across multiple platforms (Linux, macOS, Windows, or similar).
- Strong commitment to software quality, including unit testing, integration testing, and automated validation.
- Experience working on large-scale, collaborative software projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with OpenJDK or other open-source language runtimes.
- Experience with compiler infrastructure, intermediate representations (IRs), static analysis, or code generation.
- Familiarity with JVM internals, bytecode, class loading, or reflection.
- Experience with GPU programming, heterogeneous computing, AI/ML frameworks, or accelerator programming models.
- Familiarity with language design, metaprogramming, or program transformation techniques.
- Experience contributing to technical standards or open-source communities.
Responsibilities
- Designing new platform APIs
- Implementing compiler and runtime functionality
- Developing high-quality tests
- Evaluating performance
- Collaborating across OpenJDK projects to deliver robust, production-quality features
- Working with the OpenJDK community, customers, and technology partners to investigate defects, evaluate enhancement requests, and help drive the evolution of future Java releases
- Specifying, designing, and implementing changes to existing software architecture
- Helping define new capabilities for future Java releases
- Providing technical leadership to other software developers
- Contributing to the design and implementation of significant enhancements to the Java platform
Benefits
- competitive benefits that support our people with flexible medical, life insurance, and retirement options
- volunteer programs
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
