Overview:
This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a company that has been at the forefront of AI and high-performance data storage innovation for over two decades. DataDirect Networks (DDN) is a global market leader renowned for powering many of the world’s most demanding AI data centers, in industries ranging from life sciences and healthcare to financial services, autonomous cars, Government, academia, research and manufacturing.

“THE REAL DIFFERENTIATOR IS DDN. I NEVER HESITATE TO RECOMMEND DDN. DDN IS THE DE FACTO NAME FOR AI STORAGE IN HIGH PERFORMANCE ENVIRONMENTS” - MARC HAMILTON, VP, SOLUTIONS ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING | NVIDIA

DDN is the global leader in AI and multi-cloud data management at scale. Our cutting-edge data intelligence platform is designed to accelerate AI workloads, enabling organizations to extract maximum value from their data. With a proven track record of performance, reliability, and scalability, DDN empowers businesses to tackle the most challenging AI and data-intensive workloads with confidence.
Our success is driven by our unwavering commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and a team of passionate professionals who bring their expertise and dedication to every project. This is a chance to make a significant impact at a company that is shaping the future of AI and data management.
Our commitment to innovation, customer success, and market leadership makes this an exciting and rewarding role for a driven professional looking to make a lasting impact in the world of AI and data storage.
Job Description:
We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer to join the Infinia Data Engine team — the group responsible for powering high-performance, AI-native data workflows on DDN’s next-generation distributed data platform.
In this role, you will lead the design and optimization of data execution engines, data format handling, and query-layer integration with industry-standard open-source frameworks including Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake, Apache Spark, and others. You’ll play a key role in bridging proprietary high-performance systems with open ecosystems — enabling large-scale, real-time data access, transformation, and analytics.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in software development, with 5+ years in distributed systems, data platforms, or big data technologies.
• Expert-level knowledge of Java, Python, and SQL.
• Deep understanding of file formats including Parquet, ORC, Avro, and their performance characteristics.
• Experience working with Apache Spark, distributed query engines, or distributed databases.
• Strong familiarity with HDFS, Hive Metastore, and data partitioning strategies.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Hands-on experience with Apache Iceberg and/or Delta Lake.
• Background in real-time data streaming using tools such as Apache Kafka.
• Prior contributions to open-source projects; committer status is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives and mentor junior engineers.
  This position requires participation in an on-call rotation to provide after-hours support as needed.