Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Platform)

Role overview

A senior engineering position on a Compute platform team responsible for one of the hardest performance problems in modern analytics: making everything from lightweight CSV analysis to petabyte-scale warehouse queries feel instantaneous. The role is backend-heavy, centered on computation, performance engineering, data systems design, and systems architecture. The engineer will set architectural direction that compounds over years while remaining deeply hands-on in the codebase.

Responsibilities

- Evolve a graph-based execution engine that compiles, plans, and runs user notebooks, including proposing and building entirely new compute components for faster, smarter execution - Drive parallel execution and caching strategies to reduce latency and minimize unnecessary round trips to remote data warehouses - Instrument complex distributed systems so performance bottlenecks are visible to engineers and customers alike - Partner with engineering and product teams on new platform capabilities, such as an internal query language that compiles to the correct dialect for any connected warehouse - Write and review technical design documents, mentor teammates, and guide implementation of ambitious systems work - Propose and roadmap multi-quarter technical initiatives with clear milestones

Requirements

- 10+ years of backend engineering experience with deep focus on computation, performance, database and storage optimization, and systems architecture - Hands-on experience with parallel execution strategies, caching strategies, and the trade-offs of remote data warehouse computation - Strong systems intuition around storage, database performance, algorithms, and data structures - Proven track record of solving large-scale systems design problems with significant data and operational complexity - Ability to translate abstract, ambiguous problems into clear, well-reasoned technical designs

Benefits and work setup

- Salary range of $221,250 – $348,500, with placement determined after the interview process based on experience, demonstrated skills, and internal parity - Market-benched compensation including equity, comprehensive health benefits, and flexible paid time off - Backend stack tightly integrated with infrastructure and CI/CD using Terraform, Helm, and AWS