Senior Software Engineer - Confluent Kafka

IBM Computing; Hursley; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM Software seeks a Senior Software Engineer to advance the Realtime Context Engine, focusing on multi-tenant, highly available compute infrastructure and core query execution components. You will tackle scalable approaches across Confluent Cloud, ensuring high availability.

Responsibilities include designing innovative query execution strategies, building scalable platform infrastructure, and collaborating with product, design, and engineering teams to integrate storage features with the

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience building database technologies.
• Experience operating large-scale database systems.
• Expertise in C++ and/or Rust.
• Distributed systems experience.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Query Engine Development: Design and implement strategies for query execution, planning, and caching at massive scale.
• Platform Engineering: Build and maintain multi-tenant, highly available infrastructure powering tasks for Lightning tables and the realtime context engine.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with product management, design, and other teams to ensure seamless integration of storage features and infrastructure.

Skills

C++

Rust

Database technologies

Distributed systems

Communication & collaboration

Education

Computer Science Degree (DB focus)

Tools

Apache Iceberg

Velox

Substrait

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

Introduction

At IBM Software, we transform client challenges into solutions. Building the world’s leading AI-powered, cloud-native products that shape the future of business and society. Our legacy of innovation creates endless opportunities for IBMers to learn, grow, and make an impact on a global scale. Working in Software means joining a team fueled by curiosity and collaboration. You’ll work with diverse technologies, partners, and industries to design, develop, and deliver solutions that power digital transformation. With a culture that values innovation, growth, and continuous learning, IBM Software places you at the heart of IBM’s product and technology landscape. Here, you’ll have the tools and opportunities to advance your career while creating software that changes the world. With Confluent, data doesn’t sit still. We put information in motion, streaming in near real time so organizations can react faster, build smarter, and deliver experiences as dynamic as the world around them.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Senior Software Engineer on the team, you will focus on advancing key layers of the Realtime Context Engine project, including its multi-tenant, highly available compute infrastructure, and the core components responsible for query execution and background materialization. You will tackle challenges such as developing strategies for efficient execution and at massive scale across all of Confluent Cloud, ensuring high availability and scalability.

What You Will Do:

Query Engine Development: Design and implement innovative strategies for query execution, planning, and caching at massive scale.

Platform Engineering: Build and maintain multi-tenant, highly available infrastructure that powers computational tasks for Lightning tables and the realtime context engine. Ensure that the platform is optimized for scalability, reliability, and resilience, in alignment with organizational objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with product management, design, and other engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of storage features and infrastructure with the broader organization.

Required technical and professional expertise

• Expertise in C++ and/or Rust




• 3-5 years of demonstrated professional work experience building database technologies




• Experience in building and operating large-scale database systems




• Distributed Systems domain experience




• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and guide stakeholders at all levels.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Familiarity with or has experience contributing to the following open-source technologies: Apache Iceberg, Velox, Substrait




• Experience/knowledge with public clouds (AWS, Azure or GCP)




• Computer Science Degree with Specialization in Database Technologies

IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.