Distinguished Systems Developer – SQL Engine

InterSystems; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Short-term and long-term disability, &

life insurance

401(k) Profit Sharing Contribution

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Parental Leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

InterSystems in Boston is seeking a Distinguished Developer for the SQL Engine group to define the next-generation query processing stack for analytics and AI workloads. You will contribute to parsing, optimization, plan generation, and vectorized execution within a multi-model data platform.

You will design data processing abstractions and execution engines that enable AI-native features like fast vector search, graph traversal, and probabilistic joins within a familiar SQL interface, while

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in systems-level or database internals engineering.
• Expertise in SQL query engines, optimizers, execution runtimes, or data compiler toolchains.
• Experience with multi-model data systems (SQL JSON, vector search, graph traversal).
• Proficiency in at least one systems programming language or LLVM-based codegen environments.
• Strong grasp of relational algebra, compiler construction, and data-intensive workloads.
• Familiarity with AI infrastructure or ML inference pipelines is a strong plus.
• Passion for performance, correctness, and usability.
• PhD degree or published research experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design next-generation query processing stack for analytics and AI workloads.
• Contribute to parsing, validation, and transformation of queries.
• Perform logical/physical optimization over multi-model data (row, columnar, stream, document, vector).
• Handle plan generation and adaptive execution strategies.
• Develop code generation and vectorized execution techniques.
• Improve compiler-accelerated storage access patterns for AI workflows.
• Collaborate with our multi-model storage engine.
• Design data processing abstractions and execution engines enabling AI-native features in SQL.
• Architect and implement query optimization and execution components at scale.
• Build tooling for AI and analytics convergence; work on indexing and caching strategies.
• Mentor engineers and influence long-term system direction; champion quality and innovation.

Skills

SQL query engines

optimizers

execution runtimes

data compiler toolchains

multi-model data systems

systems programming languages

LLVM codegen

relational algebra

compiler construction

AI infrastructure familiarity

quality and usability focus

PhD or research experience

Education

PhD degree or published research experience

Job description

At InterSystems , were redefining the future of analytics and intelligent data platforms. Our high-performance, hyper-capacity engine supports a multi-model storage layer blending structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data-to power a new generation of AI-native and real-time workloads.

We believe in technical craftsmanship , deep collaboration , and a culture where ambitious people can build bold systems. The SQL Engine group is the nerve center of our productwhere query processing meets distributed intelligence. We consider engineering a science, an art, and a craft, and we cultivate an environment where the most talented minds can thrive, innovate, and make a lasting impact.

This is your chance to design the core foundations of a data platform trusted by the worlds most mission critical systems and AI research teams.

What Youll Do

As a Distinguished Developer in the SQL Engine group, youll help build the next-generation query processing stack, optimizing across both traditional analytics and emerging AI-driven workloads. Youll contribute to:

• Query parsing, validation, and transformation
• Logical/physical optimization over multi-model data (row, columnar, stream, document, vector)
• Plan generation and adaptive execution strategies
• Code generation and vectorized execution
• Compiler-accelerated storage access patterns for AI workflows
• Collaborative integration with our multi-model storage engine

Youll design data processing abstractions and execution engines that enable AI-native features like fast vector search, graph traversal, and probabilistic joinsll within a familiar SQL interface.

Your Impact

• Architect and implement query optimization and execution components that scale across petabytes
• Design tooling and frameworks that make AI and analytics convergence seamless
• Collaborate with platform and storage teams to leverage multi-model indexing and caching strategies
• Contribute to building programmable, intelligent data pipelines that drive downstream ML model performance
• Mentor engineers, guide technical debates, and influence long-term system direction
• Champion a culture of quality, rigor, and innovation

What Were Looking For

• 10 years of experience in systems-level or database internals engineering
• Proven expertise in SQL query engines , optimizers , execution runtimes , or data compiler toolchains
• Experience with multi-model data systems (SQL JSON, vector search, graph traversal)
• Expert in at least one systems programming languages, or LLVM-based codegen environments
• Strong grasp of relational algebra , compiler construction , and data-intensive workloads
• Familiarity with AI infrastructure or ML inference pipelines is a strong plus
• Passion for designing software that balances performance, correctness, and usability
• PHD degreeor published research experience is highly advantageous.

Our Engineering Culture

• Innovation is expected: Engineers propose, prototype, and lead from the front
• Excellence over ego: Code is debated, ideas are tested, and the best ones win
• Long-term vision: We optimize for architectural clarity and product longevity
• Cross-domain thinking: We solve storage, processing, and AI problems together
• Sane pace, deep focus: We value craft, creativity, and time to do both well

Ready to Build Whats Next?

If you dream of working on deep query systems , love systems-level programming , and want to help create a platform that bridges SQL, multi-model data, and AIwould love to talk.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression or any other legally protected category. InterSystems is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.

InterSystems is providing a current good faith estimate of the anticipated base salary range for this position depending on a variety of factors including experience, education, skills, and performance.

Other compensation may include a discretionary annual variable target incentive.

The company also provides generous employee benefits including:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
• 401(k) Profit Sharing Contribution
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
  The estimated base compensation range for this role is:
  $144,000—$205,000 USD

About InterSystems

InterSystems, a creative data technology provider, delivers a unified foundation for next-generation applications for healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and supply chain customers in more than 80 countries. Our data platforms solve interoperability, speed, and scalability problems for large organizations around the globe to unlock the power of data and allow people to perceive data in imaginative ways. Established in 1978, InterSystems is committed to excellence through its 24 d7 support for customers and partners around the world. Privately held and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, InterSystems has 38 offices in 28 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit InterSystems.com.

AI Disclaimer

InterSystems may use AI tools for its internal operations including administrative tasks during recruitment (e.g., organizing candidate information). InterSystemss approach to AI is guided by the InterSystems Responsible AI Guidelines. AI is not used to make or influence hiring decisions. All decisions are made by InterSystems employees.

Candidates may use AI for CV or interview preparation, provided materials are truthful and reflect their own experience. AI tools and third-party transcription services must not be used during interviews or assessments.