Senior Backend Engineer — Cloud DB & DuckDB Core

MotherDuck Corp.; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary & stock options

Full healthcare coverage

Flexible PTO

401k plan

Team summits & events

Flexible work environment

Job summary

MotherDuck is seeking a backend-focused engineer to advance the DuckDB-based cloud platform. You will own critical projects spanning local and cloud execution, optimize performance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver a seamless analytics experience.

The role emphasizes leadership, deep technical skills in C++/Rust/Java, and a passion for open-source communities. New York City-based or East Coast remote options are available, with a strong emphasis on engineering excellence

Qualifications

• Experience shipping complex backend systems.
• Fluent in a backend language (C++, Rust, Java) and close-to-the-metal performance.
• Foundations in query engines, execution plans, indexing, performance.
• Experience with DuckDB is a huge plus.
• Cloud infrastructure and low-latency distributed systems.

Responsibilities

• Own major projects in the dual execution stack for DuckDB, locally and 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.
• Push the state of the art in embedded database performance and distributed execution.
• Deepen DuckDB expertise and mentor teammates across the company.
• Collaborate with DuckDB Labs to align APIs and drive future directions.
• Triage issues with the support team and prioritize impactful improvements.

Skills

C++

Rust

Java

Backend systems

Distributed systems

Query engines

Mentoring

Job description

MotherDuck is seeking a backend-focused engineer to advance the DuckDB-based cloud platform. You will own critical projects spanning local and cloud execution, optimize performance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver a seamless analytics experience.

The role emphasizes leadership, deep technical skills in C++/Rust/Java, and a passion for open-source communities. New York City-based or East Coast remote options are available, with a strong emphasis on engineering excellence