Sr Software Engineer -Public Sector

Databricks; Virginia (IL); On-site; USD 156,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

Databricks in the United States is seeking a Software Engineer for our Public Sector backend. You will design, build, and scale the distributed systems that power the Data Intelligence Platform across sovereign and air-gapped clouds, delivering high availability and secure performance.

The role requires deep expertise in distributed systems, concurrency, and cloud-native development, with production experience in Java, Scala, Go, or C++.

Qualifications

• Requires TS/SCI clearance (active or re-activatable within the 2-year window).
• Polygraph (Counterintelligence or Full Scope) highly desired.
• BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or a related field.
• 6+ years of professional software development experience.
• Deep understanding of Distributed Systems, concurrency, and performance optimization.
• Production-level experience in Java, Scala, Go, or C++.
• Experience building and deploying large-scale SaaS or cloud-native applications.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and scale distributed backend services for the Data Intelligence Platform.
• Own end-to-end lifecycle of mission-critical code in sovereign and air-gapped environments.
• Optimize cross-region, high-concurrency systems for reliability and performance.
• Collaborate with Production Engineering to meet security standards and guardrails.
• Contribute to zero-waste compute initiatives and GovCloud optimizations.

Skills

Scala

Java

Go

C++/C

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or related field

Job description

P-1366

About Databricks

At Databricks, we are passionate about enabling data teams to solve the world's toughest problems — from making the next mode of transportation a reality to accelerating the development of medical breakthroughs. We do this by building and running the world's best data and AI infrastructure platform so our customers can use deep data insights to improve their business. Founded by engineers — and customer obsessed — we leap at every opportunity to solve technical challenges, from designing next-gen UI/UX for interfacing with data to scaling our services and infrastructure across millions of virtual machines. And we're only getting started.

The Role

At Databricks, we don’t just build software for the cloud; we are "cloud maximalists". We run our platform across every region of every major cloud provider (AWS, Azure, and GCP) simultaneously, creating a technical surface area that is unique in the industry. As a Software Engineer on our Public Sector team, you will be responsible for the core backend engineering that allows our Data Intelligence Platform for the Public Sector to operate at massive scale within sovereign and air-gapped cloud environments.

We are looking for world-class Software Engineers to join our core Backend Engineering teams. You will design, build, and scale the distributed systems that power one of the largest data and AI infrastructures in the world. You will tackle high-scale infrastructure challenges where "zero-waste" compute efficiency and 100% system resilience are mandatory. From optimizing massive data storage layers to architecting low-latency microservices that must function in disconnected regions, you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of mission-critical code.

The Impact You’ll Have

• Architect Scalable Systems: Design and implement highly available backend services using Scala, Java, Go, C++/C or similar.
• Distributed Systems Engineering: Design and implement highly scalable backend services in Java, Scala, or Go that power our Data Intelligence Platform across sovereign and air-gapped clouds.
• Infrastructure at Scale: Solve complex architectural trade-offs around concurrency, storage, and networking to ensure the platform remains resilient in high-consequence public sector environments.
• Performance Optimization: Drive "zero-waste" compute initiatives, optimizing our engine and services to perform in resource-constrained or specialized regions (e.g., GovCloud).
• Security & Reliability: Partner with Production Engineering to ensure all backend services meet the highest security standards and compliance guardrails while maintaining high availability.

What We Look For

• Required: Candidates must hold a current TS/SCI clearance (either active or currently held in an editable/re-activatable status within the 2-year window).
• Nice to have: Possession of a current polygraph (Counterintelligence or Full Scope) is highly desired and considered a significant plus.
• Technical Breadth: BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or a related field.
• Experience: 6+ years of professional software development experience.
• Systems Expertise: Deep understanding of Distributed Systems, concurrency, and performance optimization.
• Language Proficiency: Strong production-level experience in at least one of: Java, Scala, Go, or C++.
• Cloud Experience: Experience building and deploying large-scale SaaS or cloud-native applications.

Pay Range Transparency

Databricks is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The pay range(s) for this role is listed below and represents the expected salary range for non-commissionable roles or on-target earnings for commissionable roles. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, relevant certifications and training, and specific work location. Based on the factors above, Databricks anticipates utilizing the full width of the range. The total compensation package for this position may also include eligibility for annual performance bonus, equity, and the benefits listed above. For more information regarding which range your location is in visit our page here.

Local Pay Range

$155,900—$214,400 USD

About Databricks

Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 20,000 organizations worldwide — including adidas, AT&T, Bayer, Block, Mastercard, Rivian, Unilever, and 70% of the Fortune 500 — rely on the Databricks Data + AI Platform to build and scale data and AI apps, analytics and agents. Headquartered in San Francisco with 30+ offices around the globe, Databricks offers a unified platform that includes Genie, Lakebase, Agent Bricks, Lakeflow, Lakehouse, and Unity Catalog. To learn more, follow Databricks on LinkedIn, X, YouTube, and Instagram.

Benefits

At Databricks, we strive to provide comprehensive benefits and perks that meet the needs of all of our employees. For specific details on the benefits offered in your region click here.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At Databricks, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can excel. We take great care to ensure that our hiring practices are inclusive and meet equal employment opportunity standards. Individuals looking for employment at Databricks are considered without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.

Compliance

If access to export-controlled technology or source code is required for performance of job duties, it is within Employer's discretion whether to apply for a U.S. government license for such positions, and Employer may decline to proceed with an applicant on this basis alone.