Scale Engineer

Staff Software Engineer - Query Processing (Snowtrail)

Staff Engineer · Staff · Full Time

US-CA-Menlo ParkUSD 236k – 339k2d ago
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Role

What you'll do.

Staff Software Engineer role at Snowflake's Snowtrail team focused on query processing and database optimization. You'll design and build large-scale distributed systems that accelerate development velocity, optimize query execution, and enable high-quality software delivery in a cloud-native data platform environment. This position requires deep expertise in SQL, query optimization, compiler design, and distributed systems infrastructure, with opportunities to mentor junior engineers and shape the future of data platform technology.

Responsibilities

  • Query Processing System Architecture: Design and architect query processing pipelines and execution engines that optimize performance and cost across Snowflake's cloud-native data platform, leveraging your expertise in query optimization and compiler design.
  • Large-Scale Distributed Systems Development: Build, optimize, and maintain distributed systems infrastructure that powers query execution at scale, ensuring reliability, performance, and cost efficiency across multi-cloud and multi-tenant deployments.
  • Development Velocity Acceleration: Design software systems and developer tools that increase engineering team productivity, reduce time-to-deployment, and improve the developer experience for internal platform consumers.
  • Quality Validation and Testing: Establish and oversee quality validation processes, release pipelines, and test infrastructure strategies that ensure production readiness and maintain high system reliability standards.
  • Technical Leadership and Mentorship: Mentor junior and mid-level engineers on complex technical problems, foster collaborative problem-solving, guide architectural decisions, and contribute to technical strategy for the Snowtrail team.
  • Performance Optimization and Benchmarking: Conduct deep performance analysis, benchmarking, and optimization of query execution paths, identifying bottlenecks and implementing solutions to improve latency and resource utilization.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with product, infrastructure, and customer-facing teams to understand requirements, align technical solutions with business objectives, and ensure feature delivery meets customer needs.
  • Technology Trend Monitoring: Stay ahead of emerging database technologies, distributed systems innovations, and query optimization techniques to ensure Snowflake maintains competitive advantages and technical leadership.

Qualifications

What we look for.

Technical

  • SQL and Database Technologies

    Advanced proficiency with SQL and comprehensive understanding of relational database architecture, design principles, and implementation details including indexing strategies, query planning, and transaction management.

  • Query Optimization and Execution

    Deep expertise in query optimization techniques, execution engine design, cost-based optimization models, and performance tuning strategies for complex analytical workloads.

  • Compiler Design and Implementation

    Solid understanding of compiler theory, query parsing, logical and physical query plan generation, optimization phases, and code generation techniques.

  • Distributed Systems Infrastructure

    Extensive experience designing, building, and operating large-scale distributed systems including consensus protocols, fault tolerance, data consistency models, and horizontal scalability patterns.

  • Database Internals

    Hands-on experience with database engine internals, particularly MySQL and PostgreSQL, including understanding of storage engines, concurrency control, and query execution frameworks.

  • Data Structures and Algorithms

    Strong foundation in fundamental computer science including advanced data structures, algorithm analysis, complexity optimization, and Big O notation.

  • Systems Programming

    Proficiency in low-level systems programming, memory management, performance profiling, and optimization of critical code paths.

Education

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or Related Field

    BS/BA in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent professional experience demonstrating mastery of fundamental computer science concepts.

  • Advanced Database or Systems Knowledge

    Advanced degree in Computer Science or specialized coursework in distributed systems, database systems, or compiler design is a plus but not required.

Experience

  • Large-Scale System Development

    Minimum 8+ years of software engineering experience with at least 4+ years designing and building large-scale distributed systems at tech companies or enterprises.

  • Query Processing Experience

    Demonstrated experience developing query processing systems, database engines, or analytical platforms with focus on optimization and performance.

  • Infrastructure and Platform Engineering

    Background in infrastructure, platform engineering, or internal tools development with understanding of how to build systems that enable other engineering teams.

  • Production Operations

    Proven ability to operate complex systems in production environments, handle incident response, and implement monitoring and observability solutions.

Skills

Required

  • SQL

    Expert-level SQL proficiency including advanced query writing, optimization, and understanding of query execution plans.

  • Database Systems Architecture

    Deep understanding of relational database architecture, storage formats, indexing structures, and query processing pipelines.

  • Query Optimization

    Expertise in cost-based optimization, query rewriting, and performance tuning for complex analytical queries.

  • Distributed Systems Design

    Proficiency designing distributed systems including data consistency, fault tolerance, consensus mechanisms, and scalability patterns.

  • System Performance Analysis

    Ability to analyze complex system performance issues, use profiling tools, identify bottlenecks, and implement targeted optimizations.

  • C or C++

    Strong proficiency in systems programming languages for implementing performance-critical components and database internals.

  • Java or Python

    Experience with higher-level languages for systems development, infrastructure code, and prototyping.

  • Technical Problem Solving

    Exceptional ability to break down complex technical problems, conduct root cause analysis, and implement robust solutions.

  • System Design and Architecture

    Proven ability to architect scalable, reliable systems that balance performance, cost, maintainability, and operational complexity.

  • Technical Communication

    Excellent communication skills for articulating complex technical concepts, documenting system designs, and presenting to diverse stakeholders.

Preferred

  • Release Validation Pipelines

    Nice to have

    Hands-on experience building and optimizing release validation infrastructure, automated testing frameworks, and production deployment pipelines.

  • Test Infrastructure in Production

    Nice to have

    Experience designing test infrastructure that operates in production environments, including canary deployments and A/B testing frameworks.

  • Query Language Implementation

    Nice to have

    Experience implementing or extending SQL dialects, supporting new query language features, or building domain-specific language extensions.

  • Cost Optimization

    Nice to have

    Background optimizing cloud infrastructure costs, resource allocation, or implementing cost-aware query execution strategies.

  • Cloud-Native Architecture

    Nice to have

    Experience building cloud-native systems leveraging containerization, microservices, and cloud platform-specific services.

  • Open Source Contribution

    Nice to have

    Contributions to open source database projects, query processing systems, or distributed systems frameworks.

  • Mentorship Experience

    Nice to have

    Demonstrated track record mentoring junior engineers, technical interviews, and growing engineering talent within organizations.

Tech stack

Languages

C/C++JavaPythonSQL

Frameworks

Apache SparkPresto/Trino

Databases

PostgreSQLMySQLSnowflake Cloud Data Platform

Tools

Git Version ControlPerformance Profiling ToolsDistributed Testing and CI/CDSystem Monitoring and Observability

Other

ACID TransactionsQuery Planning and OptimizationDistributed ConsensusCloud Architecture

Compensation

Pay and benefits.

Base·USD 236,000 – 339,200

Equity·Stock options

Benefits

  • Health Insurance

    Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with employer contributions for employee and dependents.

  • Retirement Planning

    401(k) plan with company matching contributions to help you build long-term wealth and retirement security.

  • Stock Options and Equity

    Participate in Snowflake's growth through equity grants that align your success with company performance.

  • Flexible Time Off

    Flexible paid time off policy enabling work-life balance and personal wellness priorities.

  • Professional Development

    Learning and development budgets for conferences, courses, and certifications to advance technical expertise.

  • Wellness Programs

    Fitness benefits, mental health support, and wellness resources to maintain physical and mental wellbeing.

  • Parental Leave

    Paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or fostering to support life transitions.

  • Commuter Benefits

    Pre-tax commuter benefits and support for sustainable transportation options.

Process

Interview steps.

  1. 01

    Technical Screening Call

    Initial conversation with recruiter to assess background, experience with query processing systems, and alignment with role requirements. Expect 30-45 minutes discussing your distributed systems experience.

  2. 02

    System Design Interview

    Deep technical discussion focused on designing large-scale query processing systems. You'll work through architectural challenges, discuss tradeoffs between consistency and performance, and explain optimization strategies.

  3. 03

    Query Optimization Technical Interview

    Dive into query optimization techniques, discussing cost-based optimization models, query rewriting, and performance tuning strategies. May include whiteboarding exercises on optimization problems.

  4. 04

    Distributed Systems Deep Dive

    Comprehensive technical discussion on building and operating distributed systems at scale, including fault tolerance, data consistency, and scaling patterns relevant to database engines.

  5. 05

    Code Review and Technical Depth

    Review of past projects demonstrating your ability to write production-quality code, your approach to performance optimization, and your experience with systems programming.

  6. 06

    Leadership and Mentorship Assessment

    Conversation with team leadership evaluating your ability to mentor junior engineers, influence technical direction, and collaborate across teams.

  7. 07

    Hiring Manager Interview

    Final round with the hiring manager covering role expectations, team dynamics, career growth opportunities, and cultural fit within Snowflake's innovation-focused environment.

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 a high-growth, cloud-native data platform company committed to empowering enterprises to achieve their full potential. With a culture built on impact, innovation, and collaboration, we offer an environment where you can build large-scale systems, move fast, and take your technology career to the next level.

As a Staff Software Engineer on the Snowtrail team, you will help Snowflake realize its mission and vision by accelerating the delivery of high quality software to production. You will have the opportunity to design and build software systems to help engineering teams increase their development velocity and provide quality validation, optimized for cost and performance. You will ensure that the team is executing towards serving the current needs of its customers, while also ensuring that we stay ahead of technological trends and future demands.

OUR IDEAL STAFF SOFTWARE ENGINEER WILL HAVE:

  • Experience with SQL or other database technologies including internal design and implementation

  • Experience with query optimization, query execution, compiler design and implementation

  • Experience with MySQL, PostgreSQL internals

  • Experience designing, building, and operating large-scale distributed systems infrastructure

  • Excellent problem solving skills, and strong CS fundamentals including data structures, algorithms, and distributed systems

  • Ability to work in a team environment, collaborate well, and mentor junior engineers

  • Ability to work on-site at our Bellevue, WA or Menlo Park, CA offices.

BONUS POINTS FOR EXPERIENCE WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Experience with Release Validation Pipelines, Test infrastructure in Production.

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

Interview prep

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