Principal Software Engineer - Postgres
140k – 232kUnited StatesBackend EngineeringRemote10+ YOE
Summary
Principal Engineer building and extending Postgres internals for storage, replication, and performance at scale. Requires 10+ years systems programming experience in C/C++ or Rust plus deep database engine knowledge.
About the role
What You’ll Do
- Lead design and implementation of advanced systems features across areas like storage, replication, query execution, and performance optimization.
- Contribute to and extend Postgres internals — improving reliability, scalability, and efficiency.
- Prototype and build extensions that expand Postgres’s core capabilities and integrate with cloud-native infrastructure.
- Collaborate with product, infrastructure, and cloud platform teams to deliver robust, developer-friendly experiences.
- Profile and optimize database performance using low-level instrumentation and benchmarking.
- Provide technical leadership, set standards for engineering excellence, and mentor senior engineers.
- Operate with significant autonomy and ownership — driving projects from concept to production.
About You
- 10+ years of experience building systems software in C/C++ or Rust (Go experience a plus).
- Deep knowledge of PostgreSQL or other database engine internals, including storage, execution, or replication subsystems.
- Strong understanding of concurrency, operating systems, and performance engineering.
- Proven ability to ship large-scale systems or core infrastructure features end-to-end.
- Experience contributing to open-source databases or similar complex systems is highly desirable.
- Pragmatic problem solver with a bias for simplicity and measurable impact.
- Thrives in a high-autonomy, high-velocity environment.
Compensation and Perks
- Flexible work environment - globally distributed company and remote-friendly. Operates in over 20 countries.
- Healthcare - Employer contributions towards your healthcare.
- Equity in the company - Every new team member receives stock options.
- Time off - Flexible time off in the US, generous entitlement in other countries.
- $500 Home office setup for remote employees.
- Global Gatherings – opportunities to engage with colleagues at company-wide offsites.
Skills
CC++RustGoPostgreSQLDatabase internalsStorage enginesQuery executionReplicationPerformance optimizationConcurrencyOperating systems
Similar roles at this salary range
All Backend Engineering jobs →Senior Software Engineer, Atlas Search Query
Lead complex search query architecture and optimization projects for MongoDB Atlas Search. Requires 5+ years in data management/search systems, distributed systems experience, and proficiency in Java and Rust.
126k – 248kSan Francisco, CABackend EngineeringHybrid5+ YOEJavaRust
Senior Software Engineer, Foundations
Build and scale backend services powering personalized customer communications across SMS, email, push, and emerging channels. Partner with marketing and data teams to deliver real-time messaging, automation, and data-driven engagement systems.
167k – 231kUnited StatesBackend EngineeringRemote4+ YOEAWSJava