# Software Engineer - PlanetScale Vitess

**Company:** [PlanetScale](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/planetscale)
**Location:** Remote
**Role:** Backend Engineering
**Salary:** $120k – $290k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Go, Python, Java, C++, MySQL, Relational Databases, Kubernetes, Docker, Distributed Systems, Database Internals, Query Optimization, AWS, GCP, Azure, Observability
**Posted:** 2026-07-30

> Builds and operates scalable backend database infrastructure for PlanetScale’s Vitess platform, solving distributed-systems and performance challenges at scale. Requires 5+ years of backend software engineering experience, strong Go proficiency, and expertise with databases and Kubernetes.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Design and build critical systems powering PlanetScale's database platform, serving millions of queries per second.
- Collaborate with expert engineers to solve complex distributed-systems challenges.
- Independently solve engineering and business problems with high autonomy.
- Work directly with customers to understand their needs and translate them into robust technical solutions.
- Build high-quality, scalable systems with clean, maintainable code.
- Contribute to complex codebases and debug issues across multiple systems.
- Mentor junior engineers.

## Requirements
- 5+ years of software engineering experience focused on backend systems.
- Strong proficiency in Go, with experience in Python, Java, or C++.
- Experience with MySQL or other relational databases.
- Working knowledge of Kubernetes and containerized applications.
- Experience building and operating distributed systems at scale.
- Strong experience with distributed systems, databases, and performance optimization.
- Ability to work independently, make sound technical decisions, and collaborate effectively.

## Nice-to-haves
- Experience with database internals, query optimization, or distributed consensus algorithms.
- Contributions to open-source projects, especially in database or infrastructure projects.
- Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
- Knowledge of monitoring, observability, and debugging tools.
- Experience at a high-growth technology company.

## Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary range: **$120,000–$290,000 USD**.
- Total compensation may include base salary, variable compensation where appropriate, benefits, and equity.

## Similar jobs

- [Backend Engineer - Security Cleared](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/ff9e0932-448c-4663-b853-9717b3269064) - Quindar - Denver, CO - $120k – $180k/yr
- [Backend Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/e0a2a190-1d4d-41e3-a08d-a68930868ca2) - Quindar - Denver, CO - $120k – $180k/yr
- [Software Engineer, Financial Platform - Issuing](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/6a2a91be-5027-4e13-8597-97106318dc84) - Square - Remote - $121k – $213k/yr
- [Software Engineer 3, Networking & Observability](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/458cba00-8843-4a84-b048-952b86b18325) - MongoDB - Remote - CA$122k – CA$170k/yr
- [Privacy Engineer](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/bd0faf16-59f7-4653-90a6-7a0f892753f5) - 1Password - Remote - $123k – $172k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/6ec83477-a052-4b34-bace-f12410e92049
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/6ec83477-a052-4b34-bace-f12410e92049