Software Engineer - Database

Description

The company builds a cloud-hosted version of DuckDB, the open source analytical database, and is aimed at developers and data practitioners who build fast internal and customer-facing analytics. Its architecture joins local development with cloud operations, bridging software and data engineering work. The team is made up of experienced data industry people.

The Database team connects DuckDB to the cloud by owning the server and client extension code that lets DuckDB run the same way locally or in the cloud. The team writes C++ inside the DuckDB codebase and works with DuckDB Labs on APIs and future direction. It is a small team where engineers own significant projects, share what they learn and help shape modern analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Own major projects in the dual execution stack so DuckDB can run queries locally or in the cloud without friction.
• Build a cloud platform that assigns resources dynamically, keeping DuckDB efficient for small workloads and for the largest high-memory instances.
• Lead cross-functional work with the frontend, platform and infrastructure teams to keep the user experience consistent end to end.
• Push forward embedded database performance, distributed execution and DuckDB internals.
• Build your DuckDB expertise and pass it on through mentoring and documentation.
• Work with the support team to debug issues, learn from real usage and decide which improvements matter most.
• Improve systems as a whole, spotting architectural risks early and removing bottlenecks before they grow.
• Mentor teammates and raise engineering standards across the team.
• Work with DuckDB Labs, which came out of CWI's Database Architectures group where vectorized execution and DuckDB began, to agree on APIs and plan DuckDB's direction.

Requirements

• You have built and shipped complex backend systems.
• You are fluent in a backend language such as C++, Rust or Java, and you are comfortable working close to the hardware.
• You have a solid understanding of query engines, execution plans, indexing and performance tuning.
• You have worked with cloud infrastructure, networking and low-latency distributed systems.
• You can scope and lead projects that involve several collaborators and cross-functional dependencies.
• You think clearly, design carefully and weigh tradeoffs well.
• You are comfortable mentoring peers and building a collaborative, high-agency environment.
• You like engaging with the wider community, through open source discussions or direct work with DuckDB Labs.
• Huge plus: hands-on experience with DuckDB, at any level.
• Biggest plus: C++ or Rust. Java engineers are also very welcome.

Conditions

The role is ideally based in Amsterdam or Berlin, and the company is also open to remote candidates elsewhere in Europe.

The work is hybrid: you spend 3 days a week in the office and work from wherever suits you the rest of the time.

The office is on the river IJ, and a good lunch is served every day.

The company encourages applications even when you do not match 100% of the requirements, since it aims for a diverse team and will strongly consider people who bring many of them plus other relevant experience.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and stock options.
• Flexible time off.
• A good pension plan.
• Company-wide events once a year.
• The chance to contribute to DuckDB, one of the most popular modern open source analytical databases.