Software Engineer - PlanetScale Vitess

Role overview

Design and build the backend systems that support a large-scale database platform serving demanding production workloads. This is an autonomous software engineering role focused on distributed systems, database infrastructure, performance, and customer-driven technical problem solving, with opportunities to contribute across a complex codebase and mentor other engineers.

Responsibilities

- Build and operate critical services for a database platform handling very high query volumes. - Solve distributed-systems problems involving scalability, reliability, performance, and operational complexity. - Collaborate with experienced engineers on architecture, implementation, debugging, and technical decision-making. - Work directly with customers to understand requirements and turn them into durable technical solutions. - Navigate and improve large, complex codebases while maintaining clean, testable, and maintainable software. - Share knowledge and mentor less-experienced engineers in a collaborative environment.

Requirements

- At least five years of software engineering experience, with a focus on backend systems. - Strong proficiency in Go; experience with Python, Java, C++, or another additional language is useful. - Experience with MySQL or other relational database systems. - Working knowledge of Kubernetes and containerized applications. - Experience building, deploying, and operating distributed systems at scale. - Strong problem-solving skills, sound technical judgment, and the ability to work independently with limited direction.

Nice to have

- Understanding of database internals, query optimization, or distributed consensus algorithms. - Contributions to open-source projects, particularly in database infrastructure or related systems.

Benefits and work setup

- Remote position for candidates located in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. - The source lists a base salary range of $120,000-$290,000 USD.