Yugabyte is the company behind YugabyteDB, the AI-ready, multi-modal, distributed PostgreSQL database for cloud-native apps. Trusted by industry leaders including Shopify, Paramount+, GM, Kroger, Fiserv, and NPCI, YugabyteDB has been deployed in over 100 countries and powers more than 5 million clusters worldwide.
Together, our hard-working team of experts and our industry-leading technology are uniquely positioned to meet the demands of modern workloads: geo-distributed, ultra-resilient, and built to scale without limits.
Our Yugabeings (distributed, like our database) span 12+ countries and multiple time zones, sharing expertise from diverse backgrounds and industries.
Location: Sunnyvale, United States
Team: Core Database
Position Level: Senior Software Engineer
As a Senior Software Engineer working on YugabyteDB’s core database engine, you will play a critical role in designing, building, and scaling the foundational components of a globally distributed SQL database — spanning query processing, storage, replication, and transactions.
You will work on some of the most challenging problems in distributed systems, including query planning and execution, consistency, durability, fault tolerance, performance, and scalability. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams across query, platform, and cloud, you will help ensure YugabyteDB remains robust, reliable, and high-performing at scale.
This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy deep systems work and want to shape the core architecture of a high-performance, fault-tolerant distributed database.
Key Responsibilities- Design, develop, test, and deliver core database features across query processing, storage, replication, and transactions in YugabyteDB.
- Write high-quality C/C++ code (and other languages as needed) with strong automated test coverage; actively participate in design discussions and code reviews.
- Troubleshoot and resolve correctness, stability, and performance issues across:
- Distributed query planning and execution
- Storage and transactional subsystems
- Improve database scalability and throughput as cluster sizes, data volumes, and transaction rates grow.
- Identify and implement performance optimizations across the stack, including:
- Query plan optimization, batching, and parallelism
- Storage engine and replication efficiency
- End-to-end latency and throughput improvements
- Build and enhance core operational capabilities
- Contribute to the open-source YugabyteDB project, helping strengthen its distributed SQL capabilities and reliability.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (query, storage, platform, cloud) to deliver cohesive, high-quality features.
- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices in distributed systems, database internals, and performance engineering.
- 5–8 years of software engineering experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science (or related field), or equivalent practical experience.
- Strong programming skills in C/C++ (or similar systems language)
- Solid understanding of:
- Data structures and algorithms
- Operating systems fundamentals
- Distributed systems basics
- Experience in at least one of:
- Database internals (query processing, execution engines)
- Storage systems (LSM trees, WAL, compaction, etc.)
- Distributed systems (replication, consensus, transactions)
- Strong problem-solving and debugging skills
- Hands-on experience building or working with distributed systems, including distributed storage, transactional engines, or consensus protocols.
- Strong understanding of database internals, with familiarity in areas such as:
- PostgreSQL or other relational database engines
- Query processing or storage engine design
- Contributions to open-source systems or database projects are a strong plus.
We work in a hybrid model, with the team together in our Sunnyvale office 2–3 days per week.
Work AuthorizationThis position is based in the U.S. Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States. Sponsorship may be considered only under specific circumstances aligned with current regulatory requirements.
We feel strongly about equal pay for equal work, and transparency in compensation is one way to help achieve that. The cash compensation for this role is market competitive, with a range of USD 170,000-USD 200,000, inclusive of variable/incentive for some roles. As well as equity (when applicable), and benefits including health plans, retirement plans, and unlimited paid time off (PTO). The pay range for this position is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. The actual pay will vary based on factors including experience, qualifications, and skill level.
#LI-HYBRID
Due to the Proclamation, “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers”, which went into effect on September 21, 2025, at this time we are no longer able to sponsor new H-1B visa petitions filed after September 21, 2025 for new hires. We are still able to consider candidates who require H-1B extensions, changes of employer, or other types of work authorization.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
As an equal opportunity employer, Yugabyte is committed to a diverse workforce. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws.
To review Yugabyte's Privacy Policy please visit Yugabyte Privacy Notice.
Skills Required
- 5-8 years of software engineering experience
- Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science or related field
- Strong programming skills in C/C++ or similar systems language
- Solid understanding of data structures and algorithms
- Solid understanding of operating systems fundamentals
- Solid understanding of distributed systems basics
- Experience in database internals, storage systems, or distributed systems
- Hands-on experience with distributed systems
- Familiarity with PostgreSQL or relational database engines
- Contributions to open-source projects
Yugabyte Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Yugabyte and has not been reviewed or approved by Yugabyte.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is positioned as competitive for U.S. engineering roles, with total compensation described as aligned with mid-stage startup norms. Base salary ranges for mid-level engineers are framed as strong relative to the Bay Area market.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is characterized as comprehensive, spanning medical, dental, and vision with high employer premium coverage in the U.S. Mental health support and low-deductible plan design are also highlighted as meaningful parts of the package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off offerings are described as broad, including unlimited PTO with typical usage levels cited and additional holiday coverage. Parental leave policies are called out as a notable component of the overall benefits mix.
Yugabyte Insights
What We Do
At Yugabyte, we're building a diverse, multi-generational company with the vision to make YugabyteDB the distributed SQL database of choice for mission-critical cloud native applications. After a decade spent modernizing their IT infrastructure and applications, we are seeing companies enter a new phase of database modernization initiatives. We aim to be their database partner on this journey.
Why Work With Us
It’s easy to claim that your company is a best place to work, but at Yugabyte we know that we are. Why? Because our Yugabeings tell us so. Being able to work with and learn from smart people all over the world, along with a sense of ownership, mentoring opportunities, and pride in a job well done. That's what being a Yugabeing is all about.
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