Software Engineer - Platform (Infra)

About MotherDuck

Don’t let the quirky name fool you! We’re on a mission to radically transform the data analyst user experience. We think we can empower and delight analysts using a novel cloud architecture built on top of DuckDB, an open source foundation with a vibrant community. Our team is a diverse mix of passionate, collaborative and empathetic data industry veterans from Google, Amazon, Meta, Snowflake, SingleStore, Databricks, and the like. 

Our team is a diverse mix of passionate, collaborative and empathetic data industry veterans from Google, Amazon, Meta, Snowflake, SingleStore, Databricks, and the like. We’re geographically distributed across 4 engineering hubs, spanning the US and Europe.

As a Software Engineer on the Platforms team, you’ll build and optimize the runtime that manages our flock of little DuckDBs hard at work running customer queries. Challenges include dynamic resource allocation, custom storage formats, state management, and observability.

You have a passion for being at the center of many moving pieces, partnering with internal engineering teams, cross functional partners, and customers to weave together a coherent system. You know what it takes to build a distributed system that is reliable, efficient, secure, and observable, but you also know how to launch and iterate in a fast moving environment. You thrive through the full lifecycle of a feature, from clarifying product requirements and key metrics to carrying the pager and investing in making it squawk less.

What you will do

• Design, build and care for the server-side infrastructure for MotherDuck.

• Write clean, well-documented, and maintainable code that follows established coding standards and best practices.

• Monitor and troubleshoot production issues, and work to resolve them in a timely manner.

• Embrace feedback, empower your teammates, and invest in the team’s success.

• Go beyond the job description to ensure we build an extraordinary product for our users.

What we’re looking for

• Seasoned software engineer with a strong focus on backend development, infrastructure, and DevOps.

• Strong proficiency in C++, Golang or another systems programming language.

• Experience building scalable distributed systems and microservices.

• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, including deploying and managing containerized applications.

• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure, and infrastructure as code (Terraform, Pulumi, or similar).

• Experience working with SQL databases, such as PostgreSQL and DuckDB.

• Experience in infrastructure management, deployment automation, and scaling.

• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex system issues.

• Self-directed with the ability to tackle core problems independently while collaborating effectively with a team.

• Sense of fun and the ability to not take yourself too seriously.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

What we provide

• Feather-ruffling compensation – competitive salary and stock options so you have a stake in our flock’s success.

• Top-notch healthcare coverage – 100% paid medical, dental, and vision for employees, plus 80% coverage for dependents (because we care about your whole nest).

• Unlimited PTO – take the time you need to recharge, explore, or just have a lazy day by the pond.

• 401k plan – because even ducks need to plan for the future.

• Legendary company events – we bring the whole flock together twice a year for unforgettable summits in fun locations, plus 1-2 team gatherings a year to keep our bonds strong.

• Hybrid work environment – Spend three days a week in the office collaborating with the flock, and work from wherever you’re most productive the rest of the time—whether that’s your home office, a coffee shop, or a peaceful lakeside retreat.

Please Apply

Does this role sound appealing to you, but you’re missing some of the requirements or don’t quite think you’re qualified?  Please apply anyway. Research has shown that underrepresented groups in technology often shy away from roles which aren’t a 100% match. We aim to build a diverse team and will strongly consider applicants who bring many of the requirements plus have other experiences which round out their qualifications.

MotherDuck is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. MotherDuck is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities.