Core Software Engineer (C++)

About ClickHouse

ClickHouse, featured on the 2025 Forbes Cloud 100 list, is a rapidly expanding private cloud company with more than 4,000 clients and a year-over-year growth in ARR exceeding 250%. It leads in real-time analytics, data warehousing, observability, and AI workload management. A recent $400M Series D funding and new client acquisitions, including Capital One and Meta, highlight its strong market position. This role can be based anywhere with ClickHouse's hiring presence.

Team and Role Overview

The Core Engineering group maintains the core open-source ClickHouse project, the fastest and most resource-efficient open-source database for real-time applications, boasting over 42,000 GitHub stars. The Performance Engineering team focuses on optimizing distributed systems performance within ClickHouse. We seek skilled C++ engineers excited to enhance both open-source and cloud platform aspects.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate and enhance the performance of the core database, covering query optimization, distributed queries, relational operators like aggregation and joins, caching mechanisms, and low-level improvements such as SIMD instructions.
• Maintain and expand performance tests that utilize both real-world and simulated datasets to prevent performance regression.
• Provide expert support to the Support Engineering team by troubleshooting challenging performance issues reported by customers.
• Collaborate closely with other core teams to assess new features' performance impact and assist with testing and guidance.
• Engage actively with the open-source community by resolving bugs, reviewing and finalizing pull requests, and responding to queries via various communication channels.

Candidate Profile

• Proven professional experience in C++ development, including strong familiarity with Unix systems.
• Deep understanding of database internals and architectural design.
• Background in performance engineering, preferably within databases, but relevant experience in high-frequency trading, simulation, or real-time processing is also valuable.
• Effective communication and the ability to collaborate across multiple engineering teams.
• Willingness to contribute actively to open-source efforts, demonstrating patience and thoroughness in code reviews fostering collaboration.
• Strong problem-solving aptitude and proficient in diagnosing issues in production environments.
• Passion for building efficient, scalable, highly available, and well-governed data solutions.
• Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced startup settings, aligning closely with business goals and partnering in growth initiatives.
• Exhibits high levels of ownership, responsibility, and accountability.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Previous experience with ClickHouse.
• Expertise in security, privacy, and compliance domains.
• Knowledge of TCP/IP protocols and network programming.
• Experience developing cloud infrastructure, ideally with Kubernetes.
• History of public speaking at technical conferences or meetups.
• Contributions to open source projects.

Compensation

For U.S.-based roles, the salary range reflects the expected minimum and maximum pay, varying by location and individual qualifications. Actual compensation may differ and is subject to adjustment. Candidates can inquire further about compensation by contacting the company directly.

Perks and Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements in a globally distributed, remote-friendly company located across over 20 countries.
• Employer-supported healthcare contributions.
• Equity options granted to all new employees.
• Flexible paid time off policy, varying by country.
• A $500 stipend for home office setup for remote employees.
• Company-wide in-person global gatherings promoting connection and camaraderie.

Culture and Opportunity

As part of an expanding startup, new team members have a vital role in shaping workplace culture, aligning with company values, and contributing to community engagement efforts.

Equal Opportunity and Privacy

The company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on any legally protected characteristics and maintains a clear privacy policy.