Principal Engineer (Database Systems) at ClickHouse

About ClickHouse

ClickHouse is one of the most innovative and fast-growing private cloud companies, recognized on the 2025 Forbes Cloud 100 list. With over 3,000 customers and rapid ARR growth, we lead in real-time analytics, data warehousing, observability, and AI workloads. Our recent $400M Series D funding round and adoption by major clients like Meta, Tesla, and Sony underscore our market momentum.

About the Role

ClickHouse is expanding its database systems capabilities, building next-generation infrastructure that redefines performance, scalability, and developer experience. We are looking for a Principal Engineer with deep expertise in systems programming and database internals, particularly PostgreSQL, to push the boundaries of database construction and operation at scale. This strategic and high-impact role is for an engineer who can independently tackle complex technical areas, from storage and performance optimization to distributed coordination and extension development. You will shape critical components of our data platform, mentor other engineers, and drive architectural direction for systems serving massive workloads.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design and implementation of advanced systems features across storage, replication, query execution, and performance optimization.
• Contribute to and extend PostgreSQL internals to improve reliability, scalability, and efficiency.
• Prototype and build extensions that enhance PostgreSQL's core capabilities and integrate with cloud-native infrastructure.
• Collaborate with product, infrastructure, and cloud platform teams to deliver robust, developer-friendly experiences.
• Profile and optimize database performance using low-level instrumentation and benchmarking.
• Provide technical leadership, set standards for engineering excellence, and mentor senior engineers.
• Operate with significant autonomy and ownership, driving projects from concept to production.

About You

• 10+ years of experience building systems software in C/C++ or Rust (Go experience is a plus).
• Deep knowledge of PostgreSQL or other database engine internals, including storage, execution, or replication subsystems.
• Strong understanding of concurrency, operating systems, and performance engineering.
• Proven ability to ship large-scale systems or core infrastructure features end-to-end.
• Experience contributing to open-source databases or similar complex systems is highly desirable.
• Pragmatic problem-solver with a bias for simplicity and measurable impact.
• Thrives in a high-autonomy, high-velocity environment.

Why Join Us

• Work on foundational database technologies at the intersection of performance, reliability, and usability.
• Shape the future of PostgreSQL-based systems and cloud data infrastructure.
• Operate with autonomy in a small, high-talent team valuing depth, craftsmanship, and impact.
• Contribute to an ambitious vision: making data systems faster, simpler, and more powerful for developers everywhere.

Compensation (US)

• Salary Range: Provided upon inquiry, with potential premium ranges for specific locations like San Francisco Bay Area and New York City Metro Area. Actual compensation depends on factors like experience, skills, location, and performance.
• Contact paytransparency@clickhouse.com for compensation questions.

Perks

• Flexible Work Environment: Globally distributed and remote-friendly.
• Healthcare: Employer contributions.
• Equity: Stock options for all new team members.
• Time Off: Flexible time off (US) and generous entitlement (other countries).
• Home Office Setup: $500 stipend for remote employees.
• Global Gatherings: Opportunities for in-person connection and company offsites.

Culture

As part of a rapidly scaling startup, you will be instrumental in shaping our culture. Learn more about our values and recent updates on our blog and LinkedIn. ClickHouse provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination.