Middle Software Engineer — Query Engine / Data Platform

OpportuLand; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

OpportuLand is seeking a Middle Software Engineer to join the core query engine and data platform team. You will develop features across planning, optimization, and execution, writing robust Java and/or C++ code and working with SQL semantics on large-scale distributed data.

The role emphasizes backend engineering, distributed processing internals, and collaboration with US-based teams. EU hours are required, with 2–3 hour shifts toward US West Coast mornings, and the position is remote within

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in Java and/or C++ with solid OOP fundamentals.
• Solid SQL skills and understanding of relational/analytical data systems.
• 3+ years in backend/systems software engineering.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and modern DevOps practices.
• Familiarity with Docker and Kubernetes in a cloud environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain features across query engine components (planning, optimization, execution).
• Write high-quality, performance-conscious code in Java and/or C++.
• Work with SQL semantics and large-scale distributed data.
• Integrate with columnar formats and connectivity drivers.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and automated testing (Jenkins).
• Deploy and validate work in Kubernetes across cloud providers.

Skills

Java

C++

SQL

Backend design

Kubernetes

Docker

Git

Jenkins

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Jenkins

GitHub workflows

Kubernetes

Docker

Job description

Middle Software Engineer — Query Engine / Data Platform

Level: Middle Engagement: Long-term contract Location: Europe (EU / EEA / UK), remote Working hours: EU business hours, shifted 2–3 hours later to ensure daily overlap with US West Coast (PST/PDT) morningsAbout the Client

Our client is a leading enterprise data platform company building an open, high-performance data lakehouse for AI and analytical workloads. The platform combines an intelligent SQL query engine, an AI‑ready semantic layer, and an open catalog built on Apache Iceberg — enabling Fortune 500 companies across finance, energy, manufacturing, and logistics to unify, query, and govern data at massive scale across cloud and on‑premise sources.

About the Role

We are looking for a Middle‑level Software Engineer to work on the core query engine of a large‑scale distributed data platform. You will develop features across query planning, optimization, and execution, contribute to performance‑critical components, and help evolve the platform’s ability to process massive analytical workloads across heterogeneous data sources. This is a systems‑level, backend engineering role focused on distributed data processing internals — not application development or CRUD services.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain features across the query engine — planning, optimization, execution, and data access layers.
• Write high‑quality, performance‑conscious code in Java and/or C++.
• Work with SQL semantics, query plans, and execution operators over large‑scale distributed data.
• Integrate with columnar formats, open table formats, and connectivity drivers used across the platform.
• Contribute to CI/CD pipelines and automated testing — participate in build, test, and release workflows in Jenkins.
• Deploy and validate work in Kubernetes (GKE / EKS / AKS) across GCP, AWS, and Azure using Docker.
• Debug complex issues spanning query planning, distributed execution, memory management, and I/O.
• Collaborate closely with US‑based engineering teams on design reviews, code reviews, and technical decisions.

Required Qualifications

Education: B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.

• Programming: Strong proficiency in Java or C++, with solid OOP and software design fundamentals. Candidates comfortable with both are especially valued.
• SQL & Data: Strong SQL skills and solid understanding of relational and analytical data systems, including query execution concepts.
• Data processing systems experience: Hands‑on experience with data processing systems — query engines, distributed databases, ETL/ELT frameworks, or analytical platforms.
• Engineering experience: 3+ years in backend/systems software engineering.
• CI/CD & DevOps basics: Practical experience with Jenkins pipelines and modern development workflows.
• Containers: Working knowledge of Docker and basic Kubernetes (running workloads, debugging pods, kubectl fluency).
• Cloud: Comfortable operating in at least one major cloud (GCP, AWS, or Azure).
• Version Control: Confident with Git / GitHub workflows.
• English: Upper-Intermediate or higher (B2+) — daily written and verbal communication with a US‑based engineering team.
• Availability: Able to work EU hours with a 2–3 hour shift toward US West Coast time to ensure daily overlap with the client team.

Desired Skills

• Experience with Apache Arrow (columnar in‑memory format).
• Familiarity with Apache Calcite (SQL parsing, planning, optimization framework).
• Exposure to Gandiva or LLVM‑based expression compilation.
• Experience with open table formats — Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake, or Hudi.
• Familiarity with distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Apache Spark, Kafka) and MPP SQL query engines (e.g., Presto, Trino, or similar).
• Understanding of query planning, optimization, and execution internals.
• Experience with data connectivity drivers: JDBC, ODBC, Arrow Flight.
• Kubernetes on managed services (GKE / EKS / AKS) and multi‑cloud exposure.
• IaC tools such as Terraform.
• Experience with performance profiling and optimization of latency‑sensitive systems.

Please note: We can consider only candidates currently residing in the EU, EEA, or the UK.

Please note: We can consider only candidates currently residing in the EU, EEA, or the UK.