Senior Software Engineer, Distributed Data Systems

About the Role

A well-funded AI/ML data analytics startup (Series A/B) is building the next generation of agentic data infrastructure. This is a greenfield opportunity to architect and ship a scalable OLAP lakehouse platform that transforms messy enterprise data into reliable, actionable insights. You'll be joining a small, high-caliber engineering team where your work will have immediate and visible impact on enterprise customers across healthcare, e-commerce, and AI sectors.

What You'll Do

• Design and build distributed data system components for a greenfield OLAP lakehouse project, with a focus on join optimization and query performance.
• Implement and iterate on query optimization techniques for the agentic data era, where AI agents drive the vast majority of queries.
• Collaborate across infrastructure, backend services, and frontend to ship end-to-end data platform features.
• Deliver reliable, scalable data infrastructure that powers enterprise analytics at scale.

What We're Looking For

Required:

• 4+ years of experience as a data systems, backend, infrastructure, or platform engineer.
• Proficiency in Haskell and/or TypeScript (core tech stack).
• Strong data focus — you think deeply about data correctness, performance, and reliability.
• Experience with big data systems such as Apache Spark and/or Hadoop.
• Hands-on experience with distributed systems.
• Experience with databases and strong understanding of query execution internals.
• Experience with OLAP lakehouse / data lakehouse architecture and query optimization.
• Strong foundation in algorithms and data structures with real-world application.
• Track record of shipping products from zero to one, ideally at an early-stage, VC-backed startup.

Nice to Have:

• Comfortable diving into any layer of the stack — infrastructure, services, or frontend.
• Prior experience at a data or AI/ML company (e.g., Databricks, ThoughtSpot, Hex, or similar).

Location & Work Arrangement

This role is on-site in New York City. Candidates must be based in NYC or willing to relocate. Interview travel is covered, and hiring decisions can be made within 72 hours of an on-site interview. Visa sponsorship is available.

Compensation

• Salary range: $200,000 – $350,000 USD annually
• Equity and benefits commensurate with an early-stage, well-funded startup