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 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 to enhance our SQL Engine group. The role involves designing core query processing components that power next-gen analytics and AI workloads.

The ideal candidate will possess over 10 years of experience in systems-level engineering, have expertise in SQL query engines, and demonstrate a passion for performance-optimized software design. Competitive benefits include medical, dental insurance, and a comprehensive 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• Experience building SQL query optimizers and execution engines.
• Strong knowledge of multi-model data systems.
• Ability to design software balancing performance and usability.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement query optimization components.
• Design tooling for seamless AI and analytics convergence.
• Collaborate across storage and processing teams.

Skills

10+ years of experience in systems-level or database internals engineering

Expertise in SQL query engines, optimizers, execution runtimes

Experience with multi-model data systems

Expertise in systems programming language or LLVM-based codegen

Strong grasp of relational algebra

Familiarity with AI infrastructure

Passion for designing performant software

PhD degree or published research experience

Education

PhD degree preferred

Job description

At InterSystems, we’re 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 product—where 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 world's most mission critical systems and AI research teams.

What You’ll Do

As a Distinguished Developer in the SQL Engine group, you'll help build the next-generation query processing stack, optimizing across both traditional analytics and emerging AI-driven workloads.

• 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

You’ll design data processing abstractions and execution engines that enable AI-native features like fast vector search, graph traversal, and probabilistic joins—all 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 We’re 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)
• Expertise 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 designing software that balances performance, correctness, and usability
• PhD degree or 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

Benefits

• 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.

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.