Senior Software Engineer - Database Engineering

Snowflake3 months ago

Location

US-WA-Bellevue

Type

Full Time

Salary

USD 200,000 – 287,500

Level

Senior

Role

Backend Engineer

Posted

Nov 21, 2025

Full TimeSenior

The role

Summary

Senior Software Engineer position at Snowflake's Database Engineering team, focusing on building and optimizing petabyte-scale cloud database systems. The role requires 5+ years of experience with Java/C++, distributed systems expertise, and strong systems programming skills to develop industry-leading data processing technologies.

What you'll do

Query Optimization: Design and implement novel query optimization and distributed data processing algorithms

Database System Development: Design, develop, and support petabyte-scale cloud database systems with high parallelism and fault tolerance

Service Architecture: Develop and implement new service architecture for next-generation Snowflake Data Cloud

Performance Analysis: Analyze, understand, and resolve complex performance and scalability bottlenecks

End-to-End Project Delivery: Own complete project lifecycle from solution identification to production rollout

Production Operations: Ensure operational readiness and execute production operations meeting customer SLA commitments

High-Quality Software Development: Build reliable, enterprise-grade software for world's largest companies

Customer Tools Development: Develop tools providing customers greater insight into their workloads

Best Practices Evangelism: Promote best practices for database usage and system architecture

Team Mentorship: Mentor and support professional growth of junior engineers

What we look for

Technical

Programming LanguagesStrong fluency in Java or C++ for systems development

Computer Science FundamentalsDeep understanding of data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems

Systems ProgrammingStrong skills including multi-threading and concurrency

Distributed SystemsSolid foundation in consistency, scaling, and failure recovery concepts

Development EnvironmentExperience with testing, debugging, and documentation in Linux environment

Education

Bachelor's DegreeComputer Science, Software Engineering, or related field

Experience

Industry Experience5+ years working on commercial or open-source software

Database SystemsExperience with SQL, query optimization, and database internals preferred

Storage SystemsExperience with distributed key-value stores and storage engines preferred

Skills

Required skills

Java ProgrammingAdvanced proficiency in Java for enterprise software development

C++ ProgrammingStrong C++ skills for high-performance systems programming

Distributed SystemsUnderstanding of consistency models, scaling patterns, and failure recovery

Multi-threadingConcurrent programming and thread-safe code development

Algorithm DesignData structures, algorithms, and computational complexity

Linux DevelopmentTesting, debugging, and documentation in Linux environments

Nice to have

SQL ExpertiseAdvanced SQL knowledge and database technology experience

Query OptimizationQuery execution planning and compiler design experience

Storage EnginesExperience with RocksDB, InnoDB, BerkeleyDB internals

Database InternalsMySQL, PostgreSQL internal architecture knowledge

Big Data TechnologiesHadoop, Spark, HDFS, Cassandra experience

Data WarehousingLarge-scale data processing and warehouse design

Compensation & benefits

Salary

USD 200,000 – 287,500 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Base salary range of $200K-$287.5K based on experience and location

Equity Package

Stock options and equity participation in company growth

Health Insurance

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

Professional Development

Learning opportunities and career growth support

Flexible Work Environment

Collaborative culture with innovation focus

Retirement Benefits

401k and retirement planning assistance

Interview process

1
Initial Screen — Phone or video call with recruiter to discuss background and role fit
2
Technical Phone Screen — Live coding session focusing on algorithms and data structures
3
System Design Interview — Design distributed systems and database architecture scenarios
4
On-site Technical Rounds — Multiple technical interviews covering coding, system design, and database concepts
5
Behavioral Interview — Cultural fit assessment and experience-based questions
6
Team Meet & Greet — Informal discussion with potential team members and manager