Principal Software Engineer, Database Platform

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 255,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Inclusive culture and growth

Job summary

Ladders is seeking a Principal Software Engineer, Database Platform to lead the architecture of a scalable PostgreSQL-based data platform. You will shape data contracts, multi-tenant designs, and safe schema evolution while collaborating with engineering and cross-functional teams.

Remote-based in the US, the role emphasizes performance, maintainability, and mentoring junior engineers, with a compensation range of $255,000–$290,000 per year.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in database architecture and engineering, particularly with PostgreSQL.
• Experience with multi-tenant database design and scalable schema migrations.
• Proficiency in Go or Python producing production-grade code.
• Familiarity with graph data models and advanced indexing techniques.
• Experience driving database standards and mentoring engineers without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the technical roadmap for the database platform.
• Own complex database architecture decisions, including schema design and scalability approaches.
• Serve as the PostgreSQL expert, optimizing queries and ensuring best practices are followed.
• Architect and evolve the graph-based asset model for data relationships.
• Oversee schema design review processes to ensure safe and reversible migrations.
• Mentor engineers through code and design reviews, raising the team's technical capabilities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish data contracts and performance standards.

Skills

PostgreSQL

Multi-tenant design

Go

Python

Graph data models

Schema migrations

Mentoring

Tools

PostgreSQL

Go

Python

Graph databases

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Principal Software Engineer, Database Platform to join the team of a leader in the Telecommunications & Hardware space.

This role will shape the technical direction of a core database platform that supports scalable, reliable data operations across the organization. You will lead architecture decisions around PostgreSQL, multi-tenant data design, and safe schema evolution while helping the team build for performance and long-term maintainability. The position partners closely with engineering peers and cross-functional stakeholders to define data contracts, improve database standards, and strengthen the overall quality of the platform.

Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $255,000 – $290,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the technical roadmap for the database platform
• Own complex database architecture decisions, including schema design and scalability approaches
• Serve as the PostgreSQL expert, optimizing queries and ensuring best practices are followed
• Architect and evolve the graph-based asset model for data relationships
• Oversee schema design review processes to ensure safe and reversible migrations
• Mentor engineers through code and design reviews, raising the team's technical capabilities
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish data contracts and performance standards

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in database architecture and engineering, particularly with PostgreSQL
• Proven expertise in multi-tenant database design and schema migration at scale
• Strong programming skills in Go or Python, with the ability to write production-level code
• Familiarity with graph data models and databases, as well as advanced indexing techniques
• Experience in driving database standards and mentoring engineers without direct authority

Benefits

• Inclusive team culture that values diversity and promotes growth
• Numerous career development opportunities within a dynamic environment
• Collaborative and innovative work culture that encourages creativity
• Flexible work arrangements, including remote and hybrid options
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance for employees and their families

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.