Principal Data Platform Software Engineer

Team:

ServiceNow Project RaptorDB, based on Postgres, the world's most advanced open‑source database, acts as a foundational data layer that will allow ServiceNow customers to process massive volumes of transactional data on the Now Platform in real time to meet the demands of AI‑powered applications. It adds analytical capabilities to meet advanced reporting and data mining needs. This team is building the core of RaptorDB and even the smallest optimization can have a dramatic impact on our customers and our bottom line.

We are looking for an experienced developer with C/C++ knowledge who wants to contribute heavily to building the very core of our ServiceNow database. You will work directly with other engineers on the Data Platform team solving challenging problems in scaling and querying large data sets efficiently both vertically and horizontally. Our work is based on Postgres with significant in-house enhancements and unique features. This is your opportunity to contribute to cutting edge database software used at massive scale.

What you get to do in this role:

• You’ll collaborate with a team of 15+ dedicated database-internals engineers.
• Be part of building the next-gen database platform using and contributing to the latest open-source technologies
• Analyze storage/memory/compute performance and scalability bottlenecks in the system and build targeted software solutions
• Develop complex and creative solutions with quality modern C/C++ code and a highly automated build and test infrastructure
• Improve reliability and observability by designing and building self-diagnostic and self-healing system capabilities
• Learn state-of-the-art development practices for performance, reliability and error prevention
• Partner with core and cross-functional teams to create the next-generation database engine powering ServiceNow

Requirements

To be successful in this role you have:

• In depth knowledge of computer and general systems architecture (threads, networking, kernel, etc)
• Excellent skills in object-oriented programming combined with some C/C++ and SQL knowledge
• Experience in test-driven development
• Solid understanding and experience with agile software development methodologies and working in a large, ambitious team
• Ability to handle multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Skill to manage your own complex tasks, know when to synchronize and re-align with the team, and lead more junior team members working with you
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills and the ability to communicate them effectively in design documents and architect-level discussions
• An aptitude for learning new technologies and an itch to code
• Experience working with at least one of OS kernel, memory manager, multi-threaded software modules, or distributed systems

Nice to have:

• Experience with relational databases is a plus, MariaDB and/or Postgres

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience developing professional software
• Experience with deep knowledge in one of operating systems, complex layered software products or database systems
• Proven track record of delivering sub-modules or software features end-to-end
• Ability to handle multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of C/C++ and SQL