Software Engineer - Database
MotherDuck2 months ago
Amsterdam, NetherlandsSenior
Responsibilities
- Own major projects in the dual execution stack so DuckDB queries run seamlessly locally or in the cloud.
- Build cloud-platform capabilities that dynamically assign resources across workloads of different sizes.
- Lead cross-functional work with frontend, platform, and infrastructure teams to maintain a coherent end-to-end user experience.
- Advance embedded database performance, distributed execution, and DuckDB internals.
- Develop DuckDB expertise and share it through mentorship and documentation.
- Work with support to debug issues, understand usage patterns, and prioritize improvements.
- Identify architectural challenges and remove bottlenecks before they become problems.
- Mentor teammates and improve engineering practices across the team.
- Collaborate with DuckDB Labs to align APIs and help shape DuckDB’s future.
Requirements
- Experience building and shipping complex backend systems.
- Fluency in a backend or systems language such as C++, Rust, Java, or a similar language, with comfort working close to the metal.
- Foundation in query engines, execution plans, indexing, and performance optimization techniques.
- Hands-on DuckDB experience is a major plus.
- Experience with cloud infrastructure, networking, and low-latency distributed systems.
- Ability to scope and lead projects spanning multiple collaborators and cross-functional dependencies.
- Careful system design, clear reasoning, and thoughtful tradeoff evaluation.
- Comfort mentoring peers and contributing to a collaborative, high-agency engineering environment.
- Interest in engaging with the wider open-source community and DuckDB Labs.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and stock options are offered, with no compensation figures stated.
- Flexible time off is provided.
- A pension plan is provided.
- Company-wide annual summits and 1–2 team gatherings per year are offered.
- Hybrid work is available, with three days per week in the Amsterdam office and the remainder worked remotely; candidates may also work remotely from Europe.
- The Amsterdam office provides daily lunch.
About MotherDuck
MotherDuck builds a cloud data warehouse and analytics platform that extends DuckDB for developers and data teams. The service blends local DuckDB workflows with managed cloud storage and compute, enabling SQL and AI agent–driven analysis for internal and product analytics. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Seattle, the company is privately held and collaborates with DuckDB’s creators.