Snowflake

Principal Software Engineer - Metadata

Snowflake1 months ago
Location

DE-Berlin-Trion Building

Type

Full Time

Salary

EUR 150,000 – 200,000

Level

Principal

Role

Backend Engineer

Posted

Feb 6, 2026

Full TimePrincipal

The role

Summary

Snowflake is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join their Metadata team in Berlin, focusing on building scalable metadata systems for petabyte-scale data processing. The role involves designing distributed caches, transaction frameworks, and core database services that enable features like cross-region replication and data sharing.

What you'll do

System Architecture Design: Create architecture and design for scalable metadata systems handling petabyte-scale data
Distributed Cache Development: Design and develop multi-layered distributed caches for terabytes of metadata with growing request rates
Transaction Framework Implementation: Design and implement core foundational features including transactions, DDL/DML logs, and metadata APIs
Performance Optimization: Analyze and resolve performance and scalability bottlenecks in distributed database systems
Cross-Region Feature Development: Build foundation for global features like cross-region replication, data sharing, and data marketplace
Operational Excellence: Ensure operational readiness of services and meet customer commitments for availability and performance
Product Roadmap Influence: Influence product roadmap decisions and take ownership of new project initiatives
Declarative Entity Management: Implement advanced features for declarative entity management and developer toolchain integrations

What we look for

Technical

Distributed Systems Expertise14+ years of experience designing and building large-scale distributed systems
Systems ProgrammingProficiency in multi-threading, concurrency, caching, and systems-level programming
Database Internals KnowledgeDeep understanding of database internals and storage engine design
Java ProficiencyFluency in Java or similar procedural object-oriented languages
Computer Science FundamentalsStrong foundation in data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems

Education

Bachelor's DegreeBS in Computer Science or equivalent technical field
Advanced Degree PreferredMaster's or PhD in Computer Science or related field preferred

Experience

Senior Engineering Experience14+ years of industry experience in software engineering
Production SystemsProven track record of building and supporting large-scale production systems
Creative Problem SolvingExperience identifying and implementing creative solutions to complex technical problems
Cross-Team CollaborationAbility to work effectively across engineering teams in multiple locations

Skills

Required skills

Java ProgrammingExpert-level proficiency in Java for enterprise-scale applications
Distributed SystemsDeep understanding of distributed computing principles and patterns
Database SystemsKnowledge of database internals, storage engines, and query optimization
System DesignAbility to design large-scale, fault-tolerant systems
Performance EngineeringSkills in identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks

Nice to have

Cloud PlatformsExperience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform
Big Data TechnologiesFamiliarity with Apache Spark, Kafka, or similar technologies
ContainerizationExperience with Docker, Kubernetes, and container orchestration
Data WarehousingUnderstanding of data warehousing concepts and ETL processes
Monitoring & ObservabilityExperience with monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, or DataDog

Compensation & benefits

Salary

EUR 150,000 – 200,000 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Equity Participation

Stock options and equity participation in Snowflake's growth

Professional Development

Learning and development opportunities including conference attendance

Healthcare Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid work model with flexibility for remote and office work

Retirement Planning

Pension contributions and retirement savings plans

Unlimited PTO

Flexible time off policy for work-life balance

Innovation Time

Dedicated time for exploring new technologies and side projects


Interview process

  1. 1
    Initial Screening Phone or video call with recruiter to discuss background and role fit
  2. 2
    Technical Phone Screen 45-minute technical interview covering algorithms, data structures, and system design basics
  3. 3
    System Design Round 90-minute session designing a large-scale distributed system similar to Snowflake's metadata layer
  4. 4
    Technical Deep Dive Technical interview focusing on database internals, distributed systems, and performance optimization
  5. 5
    Behavioral Interview Leadership and collaboration assessment with engineering management
  6. 6
    Final Interview Culture fit and team collaboration discussion with senior leadership

Apply for this position

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