Software Engineer, Storage

As a Software Engineer specializing in Storage at Neon, your main responsibilities will include developing and optimizing our cloud-native Postgres database service. You will work on scaling storage services to manage millions of databases, enhancing performance for PostgreSQL clients, and ensuring operational reliability across a global fleet of servers. Additionally, you will contribute to designing and implementing new features, striving for continuous improvement in code quality and robustness, and participating in on-call rotations.

To be considered for the Software Engineer role at Neon, candidates should have at least 4 years of production experience in software engineering, with a strong understanding of building high-scale systems where correctness is critical. Familiarity with managing large codebases, particularly in Rust or modern C++, is preferred. A passion for systems software and distributed systems is crucial, along with a sense of ownership and accountability.

At Neon, it is essential for a Software Engineer to be proficient in Rust, as the storage services are primarily written in this language. Experience in modern C++ is beneficial and an eagerness to learn Rust is highly encouraged. Familiarity with other programming languages can be a plus, especially those relevant to systems programming.

As a Software Engineer on the Storage team at Neon, you will engage in exciting projects that include implementing scale-out sharding to increase storage capacity, improving read paths for efficiency, and developing consensus mechanisms for enhancing data replication processes. These initiatives aim to solidify Neon's standing as a reliable cloud-native Postgres database service.

Neon fosters a cohesive, open-source-driven culture where collaboration and transparency are at the forefront. As a Software Engineer, you’ll find yourself in a flat organizational structure, working with a diverse team of experts who thrive on innovative thinking and proactive contributions. Regular offsite meetings enhance team bonding while enabling flexible, remote work opportunities to support a globally distributed workforce.

In answering about your experience with systems engineering, focus on specific projects where you designed or optimized system architectures. Highlight how your work improved performance, reliability, or scalability. Provide metrics if possible, showcasing your ability to drive tangible results in building resilient systems.

When discussing strategies for optimizing database performance, reference techniques such as indexing, query optimization, and using caching mechanisms. Relate your previous experiences where you've successfully identified performance bottlenecks and implemented changes that yielded significant improvements in throughput or latency.

A thoughtful response would emphasize a systematic approach to debugging, such as isolating variables, using logging and tracing tools, and performing root cause analysis. Share a specific example where your debugging skills led to a resolution, demonstrating your strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Discuss any contributions you've made to open-source projects, whether through code contributions, bug fixes, or documentation. Emphasize the importance of community collaboration and any particular projects where you played a pivotal role, showcasing your commitment to open-source principles.

For this question, select a relevant technical challenge, outline the problem clearly, and discuss your thought process and the solutions you considered. Highlight the final approach you took and the impact of your solution, illustrating your ability to think critically under pressure.

Explain your coding standards, practices like code reviews, automated testing, and documentation. Cite experiences where your emphasis on code quality led to reduced bugs or easier maintenance. Your answer should reflect an understanding of best practices that promote collaboration and efficiency.

When answering, focus on the dynamic nature of startups and the opportunities they present for growth and innovation. Discuss how a fast-paced environment fosters your creativity and allows you to make a meaningful impact on projects. Share specific examples that demonstrate your enthusiasm for adaptability and learning.

Describe your experience with distributed systems, including relevant projects, challenges faced, and the technologies used. Talk about the intricacies of maintaining consistency, availability, and partition tolerance, and how your understanding has evolved through practical application.

Approach this question by demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with others. Emphasize active listening, seeking to understand the other perspective, and being open to compromise. Provide an example of a successful resolution that led to a better outcome for the project.

Discuss the development tools, IDEs, and technologies you are comfortable with and how they enhance your productivity. Mention specific tools you’ve used for version control, code quality analysis, and project management, and explain how they contribute to your development workflow.