Principal Software Engineer I - Snowhouse Foundation
Principal Software Engineer · Principal · Full Time
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Role
What you'll do.
Snowflake is seeking a Principal Software Engineer I for their Snowhouse Foundation team to build globally distributed data warehouse infrastructure managing petabyte-scale datasets. This role focuses on designing highly available distributed platforms, leading end-to-end projects, and providing technical leadership while collaborating across product, engineering, and data science organizations.
Responsibilities
- Distributed Platform Design: Design and implement innovative highly available distributed platforms and pipelines to enhance Snowflake's global data infrastructure
- Project Leadership: Lead and drive projects from idea formulation through design, implementation, and successful productionization
- Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with product managers, architects, engineering teams, data science organizations, and business groups on end-to-end solutions
- Technical Leadership: Provide strong technical leadership to the team and partner teams across multiple critical infrastructure areas
- Analytics Enablement: Enable data science organization, business groups, and engineering teams to build comprehensive analytics quickly and effectively
- System Architecture: Architect petabyte-scale data systems for continuous ingestion, processing, and replication from global Snowflake environments
- Customer Solutions: Develop customer-facing system database applications providing usage insights and business logic including ML-powered functions
Qualifications
What we look for.
Technical
Distributed Systems Expertise
15+ years of experience in distributed systems with focus on data warehouse or data infrastructure software development
Large Scale Systems
Strong track record of delivering large scale and resilient distributed systems and services
Cloud Development
Extensive development experience in cloud environments including AWS, Azure, and GCP
Database Systems
Deep experience in distributed systems and database architecture and implementation
System Implementation
Strong hands-on skills with ability to dive deep into complex system design and implementation
Education
Computer Science Degree
BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or related majors, or equivalent professional experience
Experience
Senior Engineering Experience
15+ years of professional software engineering experience with focus on distributed systems
Data Infrastructure
Significant experience in data warehouse or data infrastructure software development
Machine Learning (Preferred)
Experience in ML systems and applications is a plus for business logic implementation
Skills
Required
Distributed Systems Architecture
Expert-level knowledge of designing and implementing large-scale distributed systems
Cloud Platform Expertise
Extensive hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, and GCP for distributed infrastructure
Data Infrastructure
Deep understanding of data warehouse architecture, petabyte-scale data processing, and storage systems
Technical Leadership
Proven ability to lead technical teams and drive complex projects from conception to production
System Performance
Expertise in building high-performance, high-availability systems with focus on efficiency
Preferred
Machine Learning
Nice to haveExperience with ML systems integration and ML-powered business logic implementation
Data Science Collaboration
Nice to haveTrack record of enabling data science teams and building analytics platforms
Pipeline Authoring
Nice to haveExperience with data pipeline authoring platforms and workflow orchestration
Multi-cloud Architecture
Nice to haveExperience designing systems that span multiple cloud providers
Tech stack
Languages
Frameworks
Databases
Tools
Other
Compensation
Pay and benefits.
Base·USD 264,000 – 379,500
Equity·Stock options
Benefits
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Medical, dental, and vision insurance with premium coverage options
Equity Participation
Stock options and RSUs to participate in company growth and success
Retirement Planning
401(k) plan with company matching contributions
Flexible Time Off
Unlimited PTO policy to maintain work-life balance
Parental Leave
Extended paid parental leave for new parents
Learning & Development
Professional development budget and learning opportunities
Wellness Programs
Mental health support and wellness initiatives
Process
Interview steps.
- 01
Initial Screening
Phone or video screening with recruiter covering background, experience, and role alignment
- 02
Technical Deep Dive
Technical interview focusing on distributed systems design, scalability challenges, and past project experiences
- 03
System Design Interview
Whiteboard or virtual system design session for large-scale data infrastructure problems
- 04
Behavioral & Leadership
Interview assessing leadership experience, cross-functional collaboration, and cultural fit
- 05
Team Interviews
Multiple rounds with potential team members and stakeholders to assess technical depth and collaboration style
- 06
Final Executive Interview
Senior leadership interview focusing on vision, strategy, and long-term impact potential
Full posting
Original listing.
Snowflake is about empowering enterprises to achieve their full potential — and people too. With a culture that’s all in on impact, innovation, and collaboration, Snowflake is the sweet spot for building big, moving fast, and taking technology — and careers — to the next level.
The Snowhouse Foundation team builds our globally distributed data warehouse. We manage a vast array of petabyte scale data sets that are continuously ingested, processed and replicated from across all Snowflake environments and external data sources. Snowhouse powers all of Snowflake’s core business, engineering and data science needs and provides customers with full visibility into their account activities, usage, and resource consumption from all their global environments. The team is investing in multiple critical areas, including a pipeline authoring platform, high performance/high efficiency data export, ingestion and data layout. Our team is also responsible for a fundamental product for Snowflake’s customers: the Snowflake system database/application that provides customers with all usage insights they need to reason about their global Snowflake footprint as well as 1st party business logic such as ML powered functions and Budgeting applications.
AS A PRINCIPAL SOFTWARE ENGINEER IN SNOWHOUSE FOUNDATION, YOU WILL:
Design and implement innovative highly available distributed platforms and pipelines and enhance the overall Snowflake data infrastructure
Lead and drive projects from idea formulation to design, implementation and successful productionization.
Collaborate with product managers, architects, other engineering teams, data science organizations, business groups, on end to end solutions.
Provide strong technical leadership to the team and partner teams.
Enable the data science organization, business groups, engineering teams to build comprehensive analytics quickly and effectively.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:
15+ years of experience in distributed systems, some of which are in data warehouse or data infrastructure software development.
Strong track record of delivering large scale and resilient distributed systems and services.
Extensive and strong development experience in cloud environments, such as AWS, Azure, and GCP.
Strong collaboration and communication skills.
Experience in distributed systems and databases.
Experience in ML is a plus.
Strong hands-on skills. Can dive deep into the complex system design and implementation when needed.
BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or related majors, or equivalent experience.
Every Snowflake employee is expected to follow the company’s confidentiality and security standards for handling sensitive data. Snowflake employees must abide by the company’s data security plan as an essential part of their duties. It is every employee's duty to keep customer information secure and confidential.
Snowflake is growing fast, and we’re scaling our team to help enable and accelerate our growth. We are looking for people who share our values, challenge ordinary thinking, and push the pace of innovation while building a future for themselves and Snowflake.
How do you want to make your impact?
For jobs located in the United States, please visit the job posting on the Snowflake Careers Site for salary and benefits information: careers.snowflake.com
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