Research Engineer: Next-Gen Data Platforms

IBM Research GmbH; Zürich; On-site; CHF 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM Research Zurich is expanding its team of researchers to build the next generation of large-scale data systems. You will design and implement core components, including query execution engines, schedulers, and distributed resource management, working deep in the system stack.

We seek engineers and scientists who excel at systems research and production engineering, with strong programming skills in C++, Java, or Scala, and experience with Spark, Presto/Trino, or Flink.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Distributed Systems, Databases, or related field, or equivalent industry experience
• Strong experience building distributed systems or large-scale infrastructure software
• Excellent programming skills in C++, Java, or Scala
• Experience working with large-scale data processing frameworks or query engines (e.g., Spark, Presto/Trino, Flink)
• Experience designing or applying optimization techniques for complex systems, using analytical methods, heuristics, or machine learning

Responsibilities

• Design and build core components of next-generation data platforms, including query execution engines, schedulers, and distributed resource management layers
• Work deep in the system stack; contribute to both systems engineering and systems research as fits interests and background
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable data processing capabilities

Skills

Distributed Systems

C++

Java

Scala

Spark

Presto/Trino

Flink

Query optimization

Serverless

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Spark

Presto/Trino

Flink

Parquet

Arrow

Iceberg

Job description

IBM Research Zurich is expanding its team of researchers to build the next generation of large-scale data systems. You will design and implement core components, including query execution engines, schedulers, and distributed resource management, working deep in the system stack.

We seek engineers and scientists who excel at systems research and production engineering, with strong programming skills in C++, Java, or Scala, and experience with Spark, Presto/Trino, or Flink.