Software Engineer, Storage
Cursor5 days ago
Location
San Francisco
Type
Full Time
Salary
USD 180,000 – 280,000
Level
Senior
Role
Backend Engineer
Posted
Jun 28, 2026
Full TimeSenior
The role
Summary
As a Software Engineer on the Storage team at Cursor, you'll own the data layer infrastructure supporting millions of developers using an AI-powered coding platform. This role focuses on designing scalable multi-database architectures, implementing query attribution systems, and managing cache infrastructure for a rapidly growing developer tool. You'll need deep experience with relational databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL at scale, plus proven expertise in database sharding, migration, and operational excellence.
What you'll do
Design Next-Generation Data Architecture: Architect and evolve the storage layer into a partitioned, resilient topology supporting millions of concurrent users. Design multi-database strategies that enable rapid scaling while maintaining system reliability and performance across all product surfaces.
Implement Query Attribution and Guardrails: Build comprehensive query monitoring systems that instrument database queries by service and detect problematic patterns before they reach production. Create review workflows and automated safeguards that prevent performance-degrading queries from being deployed.
Define Data Store Selection Strategy: Establish clear guidance and golden pathways for engineering teams to select appropriate database engines for their specific workloads. Document tradeoffs between storage solutions and build decision frameworks that eliminate guesswork and standardize infrastructure choices across teams.
Own Cache Infrastructure End-to-End: Design, deploy, and maintain reliable cache systems including capacity planning, performance optimization, and correctness guarantees. Build patterns and abstractions that allow product teams to leverage caching without managing complexity or worrying about cache invalidation issues.
Collaborate on Database Operations and Scaling: Partner with infrastructure and product teams to implement database sharding strategies, handle migrations, and manage service decomposition. Handle backups, disaster recovery, monitoring, and capacity planning with proactive operational excellence.
Drive Infrastructure Standards and Best Practices: Establish monitoring frameworks, alerting systems, and performance baselines for the storage infrastructure. Create documentation, runbooks, and training materials that enable other engineers to work effectively with storage systems and troubleshoot issues independently.
What we look for
Technical
Relational Database ExpertiseDeep production experience with PostgreSQL, MySQL, or similar OLTP systems at scale. Proven track record optimizing complex queries, managing indexes, and tuning database performance for high-throughput environments supporting millions of operations.
Database Sharding and ScalingHands-on experience designing and implementing database sharding strategies, horizontal scaling patterns, and data decomposition approaches. Demonstrated ability to handle migration challenges and maintain consistency during infrastructure evolution.
Cache and Storage SystemsPractical expertise with caching layers (Redis, Memcached, or similar), understanding cache invalidation strategies, and implementing reliable cache infrastructure. Knowledge of tradeoffs between different storage engines and caching approaches for various workload patterns.
Systems Design and ArchitectureStrong systems design fundamentals with ability to architect resilient, scalable distributed systems. Experience designing for fault tolerance, consistency, availability, and operational simplicity in production environments.
Monitoring and ObservabilityProficiency building and implementing comprehensive monitoring, alerting, and observability systems for databases and infrastructure. Experience using APM tools, query profilers, and performance analysis to identify and resolve bottlenecks.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or Related FieldFormal education in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating strong foundational knowledge in algorithms, data structures, and system design principles.
Experience
5+ Years Backend/Infrastructure EngineeringMinimum five years of professional software engineering experience with significant focus on backend systems, database architecture, or infrastructure engineering at scale.
Production Database OperationsProven experience tackling real production challenges including database troubleshooting, performance optimization, incident response, and capacity management in high-traffic environments.
Cross-Team Infrastructure CollaborationTrack record of working effectively with multiple engineering teams to design and implement shared infrastructure. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts and build consensus around architectural decisions.
Skills
Required skills
PostgreSQLAdvanced proficiency with PostgreSQL including query optimization, indexing strategies, configuration tuning, and operational management at scale.
MySQL/MariaDBDeep experience with MySQL or MariaDB including understanding of storage engines, replication, high availability configurations, and performance tuning.
Database Sharding and Horizontal ScalingHands-on experience implementing partitioning strategies, managing shard keys, and handling distributed query execution across sharded datasets.
Redis or MemcachedPractical expertise deploying and operating distributed cache systems, implementing cache strategies, and debugging cache-related issues in production.
SQL Performance TuningExpert-level ability to analyze query execution plans, identify bottlenecks, and optimize slow queries. Proficiency with database profiling tools and query optimization techniques.
Backend Programming LanguagesProficiency in one or more backend languages such as Python, Go, Java, Rust, or Node.js for building infrastructure tooling and systems.
Distributed Systems DesignStrong understanding of distributed system principles including consistency models, fault tolerance, replication, and consensus mechanisms.
Nice to have
Experience with Database Migration and DecompositionHands-on experience managing database migrations, service-oriented architecture transformations, or moving data between systems with minimal downtime.
Kubernetes and Container OrchestrationFamiliarity with Kubernetes or similar container orchestration platforms for managing database workloads and infrastructure automation.
Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation)Experience using Infrastructure as Code tools to define, version, and manage database infrastructure and configuration changes.
Time-Series or Specialized DatabasesExperience with specialized database systems such as ClickHouse, TimescaleDB, Elasticsearch, or other purpose-built data stores for specific workload patterns.
Incident Response and On-Call ExperienceTrack record of effectively responding to production database incidents, performing root cause analysis, and implementing preventive measures to avoid recurrence.
AI/ML Infrastructure or Developer ToolsExperience building infrastructure for AI/ML systems, developer tools, or platforms serving large developer communities. Familiarity with challenges unique to AI-powered applications.
Compensation & benefits
Salary
USD 180,000 – 280,000 (annual)
Stock options
Available
Benefits
High-Impact Infrastructure Role
Own the storage layer serving millions of developers using Cursor's AI-powered coding platform. Your work directly enables faster shipping, improved reliability, and explosive platform growth across all product surfaces.
Flat Organization and Autonomy
Work in a talent-dense, small team with minimal hierarchy. Enjoy significant autonomy to design solutions, make architectural decisions, and execute on high-leverage problems with direct input on company direction.
Cutting-Edge AI Developer Tools
Build infrastructure for next-generation AI-powered developer tools. Work on systems that are transforming how millions of programmers write code and collaborate with the latest AI and automation technologies.
Growth and Learning Opportunities
Join a rapidly growing company where you'll tackle increasingly complex scaling challenges. Continuous opportunity to expand expertise in distributed systems, database architecture, and infrastructure at scale.
Collaborative Engineering Culture
Work with passionate, creative engineers who value truth-seeking debate and shipping code. Participate in a culture that encourages spirited discussion, welcomes crazy ideas, and celebrates rapid iteration.
Interview process
- 1Technical Screening — Two to three short technical interviews focused on systems design, database architecture, and practical problem-solving. Expect discussions around your experience with database sharding, scaling challenges, and infrastructure decisions you've made in production environments.
- 2Onsite Interview — Full-day onsite visit to Cursor's San Francisco office. Participate in a hands-on small project demonstrating your storage architecture and systems design thinking. Engage in technical discussions about infrastructure design philosophy, scalability approaches, and the future of Cursor's data layer.
- 3Team Meeting — Meet with members of the Storage team and cross-functional engineering partners. Discuss how you approach collaboration on shared infrastructure, handling competing priorities, and driving consensus around architectural decisions across multiple teams.
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Cursor
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Built to make you extraordinarily productive, Cursor is the best way to build software with AI.
San Francisco, California, United StatesFounded 2021cursor.com
Tech Stack
Languages
PythonGoSQL
Frameworks
SQLAlchemy or ORM FrameworksAlembic or Database Migration Tools
Databases
PostgreSQLMySQLRedisMemcached
Tools
Prometheus and GrafanaPgBouncer or Database Connection PoolingEXPLAIN ANALYZE and Query ProfilersTerraform or Infrastructure as CodeDocker and Container Orchestration
Other
Distributed Systems ConceptsHigh Availability and Disaster RecoveryCapacity Planning and Load Testing