Senior Software Engineer - Internal Observability
Senior Software Engineer · Senior · Full Time
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Role
What you'll do.
Snowflake is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead the development of next-generation AI-powered observability solutions for their global data platform. The role involves designing sophisticated telemetry pipelines, architecting intelligent monitoring systems, and driving innovation in distributed systems observability across Snowflake's multi-cloud infrastructure.
Responsibilities
- Telemetry Pipeline Development: Design and build large-scale telemetry pipelines to ingest, process, and analyze metrics, logs, and traces across Snowflake's multi-cloud platform
- AI-Driven Observability: Architect AI-powered observability systems leveraging machine learning for anomaly detection, root cause analysis, and predictive insights
- Observability Standards: Define and drive instrumentation, tracing, and telemetry standards across Snowflake's services
- Engineering Empowerment: Build tools and platforms that provide deep visibility into system behavior and performance for engineering teams
- System Optimization: Optimize observability systems for high scale, low latency, and cost efficiency
- Technical Leadership: Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance in distributed systems, observability, and AI-driven diagnostics
Qualifications
What we look for.
Technical
Programming Languages
Proficiency in Java, Scala, C++, or Python with strong software engineering skills
Distributed Systems
Extensive experience in building and operating large-scale cloud services
Cloud Platforms
Expertise with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP
Education
Educational Background
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field preferred
Experience
Industry Experience
Minimum 7+ years of software engineering experience with a focus on distributed systems
Technical Leadership
Proven ability to lead complex technical projects and influence architectural decisions
Skills
Required
Distributed Systems
Deep understanding of large-scale cloud service architecture and performance optimization
Performance Engineering
Strong skills in system performance, debugging, and reliability engineering principles
AI and Machine Learning
Experience with AI-driven monitoring and machine learning approaches to system diagnostics
Preferred
Telemetry Systems
Nice to haveExperience in designing comprehensive telemetry systems including metrics, logging, and distributed tracing
OpenTelemetry
Nice to haveFamiliarity with OpenTelemetry and modern observability standards
Tech stack
Languages
Frameworks
Databases
Tools
Other
Compensation
Pay and benefits.
Base·USD 200,000 – 287,500
Benefits
Innovative Work Culture
Dynamic environment focused on AI-native problem-solving and continuous innovation
Career Growth
Opportunities to redefine work processes and accelerate professional development
Technical Challenge
Work on cutting-edge distributed systems and AI-powered observability technologies
Process
Interview steps.
- 01
Initial Screening
Phone or video call with recruiter to discuss background and role fit
- 02
Technical Interview
In-depth technical assessment of distributed systems and observability expertise
- 03
System Design Challenge
Evaluate candidate's ability to design complex observability and telemetry systems
- 04
Final Panel Interview
Meeting with team leadership to assess technical leadership and cultural alignment
Full posting
Original listing.
At Snowflake, we are powering the era of the agentic enterprise. To usher in this new era, we seek AI-native thinkers across every function who are energized by the opportunity to reinvent how they work. You don’t just use tools; you possess an innate curiosity, treating AI as a high-trust collaborator that is core to how you solve problems and accelerate your impact. We look for low-ego individuals who thrive in dynamic and fast-moving environments and move with an experimental mindset — who rapidly test emerging capabilities to discover simpler, more powerful ways to deliver results. At Snowflake, your role isn't just to execute a function, but to help redefine the future of how work gets done.
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.
We are looking for a Senior Engineer in Observability to help define and build the next generation of AI powered observability for Snowflake’s global data platform. This role sits at the intersection of large scale distributed systems, telemetry pipelines, and machine intelligence, enabling engineers and customers to understand, diagnose, and optimize complex workloads in real time. You will play a key role in evolving Snowflake’s observability stack into an intelligent, autonomous system that not only detects issues but predicts and prevents them.
AS A SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER AT SNOWFLAKE, YOU WILL:
Design and build large scale telemetry pipelines that ingest, process, and analyze metrics, logs, and traces across Snowflake’s multi cloud platform
Architect AI driven observability systems that leverage machine learning for anomaly detection, root cause analysis, and predictive insights
Partner with Snowflake teams to embed observability deeply into all layers of the platform
Define and drive standards for instrumentation, tracing, and telemetry across services
Build tools and platforms that empower engineers with deep visibility into system behavior and performance
Optimize observability systems for high scale, low latency, and cost efficiency
Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership in distributed systems, observability, and AI driven diagnostics
Stay at the forefront of industry trends in observability, including OpenTelemetry and AI based monitoring approaches
OUR IDEAL STAFF SOFTWARE ENGINEER WILL HAVE:
7+ years of experience in software engineering with a strong focus on distributed systems
Deep experience building and operating large scale cloud services
Strong programming skills in languages such as Java, Scala, C++, or Python
Solid understanding of system performance, debugging, and reliability engineering principles
Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
Proven ability to lead complex technical projects and influence architecture decisions
Strong problem solving skills and ability to work in a fast paced environment
BONUS POINTS FOR EXPERIENCE WITH THE FOLLOWING:
Experience designing telemetry systems including metrics, logging, and distributed tracing
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
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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