Senior Backend Engineer (Distributed Systems and SQL Query Engines)
First seen by Alion on Nov 2, 2026.
On behalf of our client, we are looking for a Senior Backend Engineer (Distributed Systems and SQL Query Engines).
About the Role:
You will help develop and extend a distributed SQL query-processing platform, building backend services that integrate analytical database engines, route queries, and ensure reliable execution across different environments.
The company is considering candidates with expertise in either Google BigQuery/GCP or Databricks/Spark. Experience with both platforms is not required.
Responsibilities:
- Design and develop distributed backend services.
- Build integrations with BigQuery or Databricks.
- Contribute to intelligent SQL query-routing functionality.
- Work on compatibility and reliability across analytical database engines.
- Improve query execution workflows and failure handling.
- Collaborate with the engineering team on architecture and platform improvements.
Requirements:
- 5+ years of experience in Backend/Software Engineering.
- 1+ year of experience with Distributed Systems.
- 2+ years of hands-on experience with either Google BigQuery/GCP or Databricks/Spark/Lakehouse.
- 2+ years of experience with SQL dialects, query processing, and analytical database engine integration.
- Strong experience building reliable and scalable distributed services.
- Solid understanding of concurrency, fault tolerance, and error handling.
- Strong SQL skills and understanding of analytical database engines.
- Familiarity with SQL dialect differences and engine-specific behavior.
- Experience working with analytical workloads and data-processing platforms.
- Availability to work until 11 AM PST.
Nice to Have:
- Python development experience.
- Experience with SQL parsing, AST manipulation, or query planning.
- Knowledge of database and query engine internals.
- Experience with Apache Arrow, Iceberg, or Delta Lake.
- Experience with query routing, SQL gateways, or database proxy development.
- Experience with Snowflake, DuckDB, or ClickHouse.
- Previous experience migrating analytical workloads between database engines.
Company offers:
- Long-term employment with possibilities for professional growth
- Fully remote work
- Reasonably flexible schedule
- 15 days of paid vacation
- Regular performance reviews