Senior Software Engineer - PostgreSQL (Remote)

As a Senior Software Engineer specializing in PostgreSQL at Percona, you'll be responsible for designing and coding improvements, debugging existing issues, and participating in code reviews. Your expertise will help enhance both PostgreSQL and related components, and you'll collaborate with the upstream community to ensure high-quality contributions.

To qualify for the Senior Software Engineer position at Percona, candidates should have at least four years of hands-on development experience. Knowledge of PostgreSQL internals, strong skills in using developer tools like git and gcc, and familiarity with scripting languages are essential. Experience with distributed systems and open-source collaboration is a plus.

Working for Percona’s software development team offers the chance to engage with a globally dispersed organization that values open-source contributions. You’ll collaborate with experts, enjoy flexibility in your work hours, and participate in a culture that encourages sharing knowledge through technical blogs and speaking engagements.

At Percona, professional development is a priority. The company provides funds for external training, certifications, and conferences to support your growth. You'll also have access to necessary equipment for your remote office, an equity incentive plan, and ongoing connectivity allowances to ensure you are well-equipped to succeed.

Percona offers a range of benefits including flexible work hours, generous paid time off, remote work support, and programs aimed at promoting a healthy work-life balance. Employees can also engage in volunteer initiatives and embrace a socially responsible workplace culture, making it a fulfilling environment to work in.

In answering this question, provide specific examples from your past work where you’ve dealt with PostgreSQL internals. Discuss how you’ve tackled challenges or contributed to functionality improvements, and showcase your deep understanding of the system's architecture.

Explain your systematic approach to debugging defects, emphasizing tools you’ve used such as gdb or log analysis. Talk about a specific instance where you identified and resolved an issue effectively, demonstrating your analytical skills.

Detail your testing methodology, including unit tests and integration tests you have implemented in previous projects. Discuss how creating test cases fits into your overall development process, highlighting your commitment to quality.

Discuss your contributions to open-source projects, how you've interacted on forums or mailing lists, and any relevant feedback you’ve received from the community. Highlight your participation in discussions and representing your organization within these communities.

Share your strategies for managing workload and communication in a remote setting. Discuss any tools you’ve utilized, like Jira or Slack, and explain how you ensure timely collaboration and accountability within a team.

Mention specific challenges you’ve encountered while working on distributed systems, such as synchronization issues or latency. Discuss the solutions you implemented and how they improved the system.

Reflect on the benefits of collaboration, community feedback, and continuous improvement. Share a personal story that highlights your passion for open source, illustrating how it motivates your work.

Explain your philosophy on documentation, emphasizing clarity, accessibility, and usability. Provide examples of documentation you’ve created, and how you ensure it serves the needs of your audience effectively.

Discuss the resources you actively follow, such as blogs, forums, or webinars. Highlight any specific communities or events you engage with, showcasing your commitment to being on the cutting edge of technology.

Share a detailed account of a project you led, focusing on your role, the challenges you faced, and the impact it had on users or the business. Highlight teamwork and innovation as key aspects of your success.