Sr Staff Software Engineer

Teradata; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Teradata Labs is seeking a Sr. Staff Software Engineer to advance the Teradata SQL Engine on-premises and in hybrid cloud environments.

You will drive design, development, and testing of advanced query optimization features and lead technical direction for large-scale initiatives. You will collaborate with database architects, software engineers, and product teams to plan roadmaps, research competitive directions, and deliver robust, high-performance database services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS or related with 8–10+ years in industry/research.
• Strong leadership in cloud-based data management and query optimization.
• Proficiency in C/C++, Java, Python, R, and SQL; AWS experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own all phases of the agile software lifecycle from design to support.
• Set technical direction for complex feature development and analysis.
• Design, implement, validate, and test new DB/query optimization features.
• Lead a group of engineers during feature development.
• Collaborate with product managers for planning, tracking, and reporting.

Skills

C/C++

Java

Python

R

SQL

AWS

Cloud

Distributed systems

Open source

Agile

Debugging

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

LLVM

Teradata SQL Engine

Job description

Our Company

At Teradata, we believe that people thrive when empowered with better information. Teradata Autonomous Knowledge Platform activates enterprise intelligence by unifying data, knowledge, and business context to achieve tangible outcomes. With Teradata, organizations can provide agents with full context for impact when it matters. Our solution lets businesses connect and scale on premises, in the cloud, or through a hybrid approach. Teradata delivers real business value with AI.

What You'll Do

As a Sr. Staff Software Engineer on the Database Query Optimization team at Teradata Labs, you will contribute to the design, development, and testing of advanced features for the Teradata SQL Engine — one of the world’s leading cloud-based query optimization platforms. You will lead technical direction for complex feature development, drive competitive analysis, and help shape the future of Teradata’s massively parallel processing (MPP) systems across on-premises and hybrid cloud environments.

• Own all phases of the agile software development lifecycle, from software design through customer support.
• Research and establish technical direction for complex feature development; perform functional and performance problem analysis.
• Conduct competitive analysis of database management systems and data integration solutions; provide recommendations to close competitive gaps and enhance Teradata's advantages.
• Design, implement, validate, and test new database and query optimization features in an Agile framework; identify and resolve functional and performance defects.
• Lead and provide technical direction for a group of software engineers during feature development.
• Partner with the feature manager on technical planning, project tracking, and status reporting for large-scale initiatives.
• Design, implement, and maintain the LLVM-based query Parsing Engine.
• Contribute to the delivery and continuous improvement of robust, resilient, and high-quality database products.

Who You’ll Work With

You will collaborate closely with a world‑class team of database architects and software engineers within Teradata Labs to advance emerging technologies and deliver the next generation of big data analytics solutions.

• Database engineers and architects on the Query Optimization team to define and execute feature development roadmaps.
• Feature managers and technical program leads to plan, track, and deliver large‑scale engineering projects.
• Cross‑functional stakeholders across product, cloud infrastructure, and customer support to ensure robust and resilient product delivery.

What Makes You a Qualified Candidate

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related discipline with 10+ years of relevant industry or research experience; or Master's degree with 8+ years; or Ph. D. with 5+ years.
• Technical leadership experience driving complex, visionary work in cloud‑based data management, specifically in query processing and optimization.
• Deep expertise in C/C++, with strong proficiency in Java, Python, R, and SQL.
• Solid Computer Science fundamentals: object‑oriented design, design patterns, and test‑driven development.
• Experience debugging complex software in a parallel processing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to design large‑scale, elastic, and highly available cloud database services or distributed systems.
• Strong understanding of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and public cloud technologies and operations.

What You’ll Bring

• Experience contributing to or working with open source projects.
• Familiarity with a variety of database technologies and ecosystems.
• Experience with Agile software development methodologies and tools.
• Debugging and optimization skills at the Assembly level.
• A mindset that is passionate, self‑motivated, proactive, and collaborative — with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Why We Think You'll Love Teradata

We prioritize a people‑first culture because we know our people are at the very heart of our success. We embrace a flexible work model because we trust our people to make decisions about how, when, and where they work. We focus on well‑being because we care about our people and their ability to thrive both personally and professionally. We are committed to actively working to foster an inclusive environment that celebrates people for all of who they are.

Teradata invites all identities and backgrounds in the workplace. We work with deliberation and intent to ensure we are cultivating collaboration and inclusivity across our global organization. We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, ancestry, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, military and veteran status, or any other legally protected status.