As a Software Engineer on the Core Engine team at Eventual, you'll be responsible for building key capabilities in our distributed data engine, Daft. Your main duties will include enhancing the planning/query optimizer to intelligently optimize user workloads, improving the memory stability of the execution engine with innovative data structures, and refining the distributed scheduler for better resource utilization and fault tolerance. You'll also work on enhancing integrations with modern data lake technologies like Apache Parquet and Delta Lake.

To be considered for the Software Engineer position at Eventual, candidates should have at least 3 years of experience working with distributed data systems. A strong foundation in systems programming is essential, ideally with fluency in languages such as C++, Rust, or C. Familiarity with cloud technologies like AWS S3 will also be beneficial. Most importantly, we seek candidates who can thrive in small, dynamic teams with fast iterations.

At Eventual, we embrace a hybrid work model that allows for flexibility while emphasizing the importance of in-person collaboration. We typically require at least 3 days of in-person work at our San Francisco office, fostering teamwork and innovation. Our culture thrives on autonomy, encouraging our Software Engineers to take initiative and contribute to various aspects of our projects.

Software Engineers at Eventual enjoy an array of benefits designed to support their well-being and professional growth. We offer best-in-class compensation, meal allowances, and comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision. We firmly believe in creating a supportive environment that allows our team members to excel in their roles and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

The interview process at Eventual for the Software Engineer role consists of several key stages. It begins with a 15-minute introductory call to get acquainted, followed by a one-hour technical phone screen to assess your abilities. Next, candidates will engage in a four-hour technical interview panel with the Eventual team to discuss their strengths, weaknesses, and relevant experiences. We also encourage candidates to meet with various team members to gauge cultural fit and share insights.

When discussing your experience with distributed data systems, be specific about systems you've worked with, such as Hadoop or Spark. Describe the projects you've been involved in, focusing on your role in query planning, scheduling, or fault tolerance, demonstrating your understanding of core concepts and challenges in this area.

In answering this question, outline your approach to query optimization, highlighting techniques such as indexing, partitioning, or workload balancing. Provide examples from past experiences where you successfully improved query performance, and be prepared to discuss the trade-offs of the methods you chose.

Select a relevant technical challenge that showcases your problem-solving skills. Describe the problem, the steps you took to analyze it, and the ultimate solution. Reinforce your answer with the impact your solution had on the project or company, emphasizing your analytical thinking and technical expertise.

List the programming languages you're comfortable with, specifically mentioning systems programming languages like C++, Rust, or C. Discuss how you have used these languages in your previous roles to develop distributed systems or other relevant projects, providing specific scenarios that highlight your proficiency.

Emphasize your ability to communicate effectively and collaborate in a compact team. Share examples where you've successfully contributed to team efforts under tight deadlines, detailing how you manage your time, prioritize tasks, and support your colleagues to achieve shared goals.

Mention specific cloud technologies you are familiar with, such as AWS S3 or Google Cloud. Discuss how you integrated these solutions into your projects and the advantages they provided, such as scalability or data storage efficiency, reinforcing your understanding of cloud infrastructure.

Discuss your strategies for building reliable and fault-tolerant systems, such as monitoring resource usage, implementing retry mechanisms, and maintaining redundancy. Provide an example of a system you worked on, illustrating the steps you took to enhance reliability.

Outline the concept of data lakes and their role in storing large volumes of structured and unstructured data. Explain how they relate to distributed computing by discussing technologies like Apache Parquet or Delta Lake, detailing how you have utilized these in your work to support big data operations.

Select a project where you played a key role in implementing machine learning or AI technologies. Describe the objectives of the project, your specific contributions, and the outcomes, highlighting your problem-solving capabilities and understanding of data engineering.

Share your enthusiasm for Eventual’s mission and innovative approach to data technology. Discuss specific attributes that draw you to the Core Engine team, such as the opportunity to optimize distributed queries or work with cutting-edge technologies, illustrating your passion for the field.