Software Engineer - Database

MotherDuck; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Flexible time off

Pension plan

Company events

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

MotherDuck in Amsterdam is seeking a backend engineer to join the Database team, building the cloud-enabled DuckDB platform and bridging local development with cloud operations.

You will work in C++, Rust, or Java on core server and client extension logic, collaborating across frontend, platform, and infra teams to deliver high-performance, low-latency analytics. Remote Europe candidates are welcome, with a hybrid office presence in the Netherlands.

Qualifications

• Built and shipped complex backend systems.
• Fluent in C++, Rust, or Java systems languages.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure and distributed systems.

Responsibilities

• Own major backend projects enabling DuckDB to run locally and in the cloud.
• Lead cross-functional work with frontend, platform, and infra teams to ensure a coherent UX.
• Push embedded database performance and distributed execution; mentor teammates.

Skills

Backend systems

C++

Rust

Java

Distributed systems

Cloud infrastructure

Job description

About MotherDuck

Don\'t let the quirky name fool you: At MotherDuck, we\'re on a mission to make data warehousing fun, frictionless, and ducking awesome for developers and data practitioners building blazing fast internal and customer-facing analytics experiences. We\'re building a cloud-hosted version of DuckDB, working hand-in-hand with the creators of the fastest-growing and fastest-improving query engine on the planet. Unlike other databases, MotherDuck was architected to unify local development with cloud operations to bridge the gap between software and data engineering workflows. Our team is a mix of thoughtful, passionate, and empathetic data industry veterans.

What you will do

The Database team is the bridge between DuckDB and the cloud. We own the core server and client extension logic that lets DuckDB run seamlessly, whether it\'s local or in the cloud, and we work in C++ right alongside the DuckDB codebase itself. Our mission is to push the boundaries of embedded database performance, distributed execution, and user experience, all while staying closely connected to DuckDB Labs (the team behind DuckDB) to align on APIs and shape what\'s next. Day to day, we drive major projects in dual execution, resource assignment, and system reliability, while also handling incoming issues and lending our DuckDB expertise to other teams. We collaborate closely across MotherDuck and with the wider DuckDB community, making sure people get the best of both local and cloud worlds. It\'s a small, high-agency team with big ambitions... the kind of place where engineers own impactful projects, share what they learn, and help shape how modern analytics gets built.

Key Responsibilities

Own major projects in our dual execution stack, so DuckDB can process queries seamlessly whether they\'re running locally or in the cloud. Help build a cloud platform that dynamically assigns resources, so DuckDB stays efficient whether someone\'s running a tiny workload or pushing our biggest, highest-memory instances. Lead cross-functional work with our frontend, platform, and infrastructure teams to keep the user experience coherent end to end. Push the state of the art in embedded database performance, distributed execution, and DuckDB internals. Deepen your DuckDB expertise and share it with the rest of the company through mentorship and documentation. Work directly with our support team to debug issues, learn from real usage patterns, and prioritize the improvements that matter most. Improve systems holistically... spotting architectural challenges early and clearing bottlenecks before they become problems. Mentor teammates and help raise the bar for engineering practices across the team. Work closely with DuckDB Labs (which grew out of the Database Architectures group at CWI, where vectorized execution and DuckDB were born) to help align on APIs and shape where DuckDB goes next.

This role is ideally based in Amsterdam but we are also open to great candidates remotely in Europe.

What you bring

You\'ve built and shipped complex backend systems, and you know what great looks like. You\'re fluent in a backend language like C++, Rust, Java, or similar systems languages, and you\'re comfortable working close to the metal. (C++ and Rust are the biggest plus here, and we love a great Java engineer too.) A good foundation in query engines, execution plans, indexing, and performance optimization techniques. Hands-on experience with DuckDB is a huge plus, no matter what level you\'re coming in at. You\'ve worked with cloud infrastructure, networking, and building low-latency distributed systems. You can scope and lead projects that span multiple collaborators and cross-functional dependencies. You take pride in clear thinking, careful design, and thoughtful tradeoffs. You\'re comfortable mentoring peers and helping build a collaborative, high-agency environment. You enjoy engaging with the wider community, whether that\'s open-source conversations or working directly with DuckDB Labs.

What we provide

• Competitive salary and stock options so you have a stake in our flock’s success.
• Flexible time off - take the time you need to recharge, explore, or just have a lazy day by the pond.
• A good pension plan.
• Legendary company events - we bring the whole flock together once a year for unforgettable summits in fun locations, plus 1-2 team gatherings a year to keep our bonds strong.
• Hybrid work environment - Spend three days a week in the office collaborating with the flock, and work from wherever you\'re most productive the rest of the time- whether that\'s your home office, a coffee shop, or a peaceful lakeside retreat. We have to warn you though, most of us like the office so much we come anyway. It\'s on the river Ij, with a great lunch every day.

MotherDuck is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and ...

MotherDuck is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities.