Cloud-Scale Backend Engineer (C++/Rust)

MotherDuck; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Healthcare coverage

Flexible PTO

401k plan

Company events

Job summary

MotherDuck is building a cloud-hosted DuckDB for fast internal and customer analytics. We’re a small, high-agency team empowering developers and data practitioners with seamless local and cloud experiences.

The Database team owns core server and client extension logic, working in C++ alongside the DuckDB codebase to push performance and UX boundaries. NYC-based with East Coast remote options.

Qualifications

• Built and shipped complex backend systems with an eye for quality and performance.
• Proficient in C++, Rust, Java or similar systems languages; comfortable working close to the metal.
• Foundation in query engines, execution plans, indexing, and performance optimization.
• Hands-on experience with DuckDB is a plus.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure, networking, and low-latency distributed systems.

Responsibilities

• Own major projects in our dual execution stack to process queries locally or in the cloud.
• Help build a cloud platform that dynamically assigns resources for varying workloads.
• Lead cross-functional work with frontend, platform, and infrastructure teams for end-to-end UX.
• Push the state of the art in embedded database performance and distributed execution.
• Mentor teammates and share DuckDB expertise through documentation and guidance.
• Collaborate with DuckDB Labs and other teams to align APIs and future direction.

Skills

Backend systems

C++

Rust

Java

Distributed systems

Mentoring

Open-source

DuckDB

Cloud infra

Job description

MotherDuck is building a cloud-hosted DuckDB for fast internal and customer analytics. We’re a small, high-agency team empowering developers and data practitioners with seamless local and cloud experiences.

The Database team owns core server and client extension logic, working in C++ alongside the DuckDB codebase to push performance and UX boundaries. NYC-based with East Coast remote options.