Staff Software Engineer - OpenTelemetry Python instrumentation | UK | Remote

In this role you will advance the OpenTelemetry Python SDK and instrumentation libraries with a focus on AI-enabled observability. You will contribute upstream, collaborating with the OpenTelemetry community to shape conventions for generative AI and instrument AI agents. You’ll own end-to-end projects from design to release, while mentoring others and driving impact across Grafana Labs and the wider ecosystem. This is a remote-first, globally distributed role that values open collaboration and technical leadership.

• 100% remote
• RSUs
• 30 days annual leave
• Grafana Shutdown Days
• global team
• opportunity to contribute to Open Source

• Develop and improve the OpenTelemetry Python SDK and instrumentation libraries with AI/agent workflows in mind
• Contribute to open-source communities by coordinating with maintainers and vendors on APIs, specifications, and implementations
• Build Python instrumentation for AI agents, including integration with asynchronous code
• Improve SDK performance through profiling and benchmarking and balance runtime overhead with compatibility
• Advise and teach best practices for OpenTelemetry and semantic conventions across teams and communities
• Own projects from ambiguity through design, testing, documentation, and release
• Collaborate with GTM, Product, and Support to align instrumentation with customer needs
• Engage with customers to investigate instrumentation issues and provide practical guidance
• Maintain high communication standards in a largely remote team
• Support the team’s technical direction and OpenTelemetry strategy at Grafana Labs

• 8+ years of software development experience with strong Python proficiency
• Deep Python expertise, including debugging production software and asynchronous code
• Interest in AI applications and agent systems; curiosity about instrumentation and troubleshooting
• Experience contributing to open-source communities and familiarity with OpenTelemetry, Grafana, Prometheus
• Knowledge of production environments and assessing operational risks
• Ability to lead, coordinate, and mentor others in a remote setting
• Exposure to cloud-based software or systems engineering
• Open-source contribution experience with evidence of collaboration (bonus)
• Familiarity with Rust is a plus for performance improvements (bonus)
• Strong communication and collaboration skills in a remote, global context

• strong communication
• collaboration across teams
• mentoring and coaching
• Python programming
• OpenTelemetry SDKs and instrumentation
• AI/Generative AI workflows