Software Engineer - Systems PhD Candidates

Databricks is seeking a Software Engineer with a PhD background in systems or databases to join their Database Engine team. The role offers an opportunity to work on cutting-edge database systems and infrastructure that processes exabytes of data daily across 15+ million VMs. The position involves working on sophisticated technical challenges in query optimization, distributed systems, and storage architecture.

The company is at the forefront of simplifying the entire data lifecycle, from ingestion to generative AI, serving over 10,000 customers globally. The role requires deep technical expertise and involves building multi-cloud systems across various aspects of the data ecosystem, including query engines, vector databases, training pipelines, and storage systems.

As part of the Database Engine team, you'll have the chance to design and implement systems that advance the state-of-the-art in areas such as query compilation, distributed execution, vectorized processing, and data security. The work is deeply technical and research-oriented, as evidenced by the company's published works on Lakehouse, Delta Lake, and Photon.

The ideal candidate should have a PhD in databases or systems, along with a genuine passion for database systems, storage systems, distributed systems, or language design. The role offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to work with industry leaders in a fast-growing company that values innovation and technical excellence.

This position is based in Mountain View, California, and offers a base salary range of $150,000 to $190,000 USD, along with additional benefits and equity opportunities. The role represents an excellent opportunity for those looking to bridge academic research with practical industry applications in a high-impact environment.