Principal Software Engineer - Postgres

ClickHouse is expanding its capabilities in the database systems domain, building next-generation infrastructure that redefines performance, scalability, and developer experience. We’re looking for a Principal Engineer with deep expertise in systems programming and database internals — particularly Postgres — to help us push boundaries in how databases are built and operated at scale. This is a strategic and high-impact role for an engineer who can work independently across complex technical areas: from storage and performance optimization to distributed coordination and extension development. You’ll shape critical components of our data platform, mentor other engineers, and drive architectural direction for systems that serve massive workloads.

Responsibilities

Lead design and implementation of advanced systems features across areas like storage, replication, query execution, and performance optimization; Contribute to and extend Postgres internals — improving reliability, scalability, and efficiency; Prototype and build extensions that expand Postgres’s core capabilities and integrate with cloud-native infrastructure; Collaborate with product, infrastructure, and cloud platform teams to deliver robust, developer-friendly experiences; Profile and optimize database performance using low-level instrumentation and benchmarking; Provide technical leadership, set standards for engineering excellence, and mentor senior engineers; Operate with significant autonomy and ownership — driving projects from concept to production

Requirements

10+ years of experience building systems software in C/C++ or Rust; Deep knowledge of PostgreSQL or other database engine internals, including storage, execution, or replication subsystems; Strong understanding of concurrency, operating systems, and performance engineering; Proven ability to ship large-scale systems or core infrastructure features end-to-end; Pragmatic problem solver with a bias for simplicity and measurable impact; Thrives in a high-autonomy, high-velocity environment

Nice to have

Go experience; Experience contributing to open-source databases or similar complex systems

Benefits

Flexible work environment; Healthcare - Employer contributions towards your healthcare; Equity in the company - Every new team member who joins our company receives stock options; Time off - Flexible time off in the US, generous entitlement in other countries; A $500 Home office setup if you’re a remote employee; Global Gatherings - opportunities to engage with colleagues at company-wide offsites