Job Details

VAST Data is looking for a Senior Backend Software Engineer to help build the engine behind the next generation of scalable, AI-native data infrastructure. In this role, you will focus on the design and development of backend services powering our massively distributed, high-performance combined analytical and vector database, a critical component of VAST's AI data platform.

This is your opportunity to work at the intersection of low-level systems programming, distributed computing, and AI infrastructure—helping us push the boundaries of backend engineering for real-time, petabyte-scale data systems.

What You'll Do

• Architect and implement core backend components for a distributed vector database using C/C++
• Design highly scalable distributed data-structures and algorithms optimized for performance, concurrency, and fault tolerance
• Develop backend services that enable fast search, efficient indexing, and real-time analytics over massive datasets
• Optimize system performance across multi-threaded and multi-node environments
• Ensure low-latency, high-throughput data access and manipulation across global deployments
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to translate backend capabilities into real-world impact

What We're Looking For

Must Haves:

• 5+ years of experience in backend engineering, with strong proficiency in low-level C and C++
• Hands‑on experience designing and building distributed backend systems or infrastructure at scale
• Experience with distributed data-structures, algorithms and system reliability patterns
• Expertise in multi-threaded programming, memory management, and performance tuning
• Proven track record of backend work on high-throughput databases, vector stores, or real-time processing engines
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience

Nice to Haves:

• Experience building or optimizing analytical or vector databases
• Familiarity with query engine internals, indexing techniques, or storage layer optimizations
• Knowledge of Python or Java for integration or tooling
• Bachelor's, Master's or PhD in a related technical field (distributed systems, backend architecture, database internals)