Software Engineer - Storage

About MotherDuck

Don’t let the quirky name fool you! We’re on a mission to radically transform the data analyst user experience. We empower and delight analysts using a novel cloud architecture built on top of DuckDB, an open source foundation with a vibrant community. Our team is a diverse mix of passionate, collaborative and empathetic data industry veterans from Google, Amazon, Meta, Snowflake, Looker, SingleStore, Databricks, and the like.

Our team is a diverse mix of passionate, collaborative and empathetic data industry veterans from Google, Amazon, Meta, Snowflake, SingleStore, Databricks, and the like. We’re geographically distributed across 4 engineering hubs, spanning the US and Europe.

At MotherDuck, we’re building a modern, cloud-native data analytics platform centered on DuckDB, the beloved in-process SQL database. A cornerstone of our platform is our file system abstraction that lets DuckDB seamlessly interact with cloud storage backends as if they were local file systems. We’re looking for a Software Engineer with expertise in storage systems to help us refine, optimize, and expand this critical layer.

As a Software Engineer focusing on storage and file systems, you’ll work on challenges like building a robust FUSE layer, improving performance for cloud storage backends, and optimizing DuckDB’s interaction with these systems. You’ll collaborate with other engineers, cross-functional teams, and customers to ensure our storage abstraction is reliable, efficient, and easy to use.

You’re someone who thrives on tackling complex storage and file system challenges, loves working in dynamic environments, and values building systems that are both performant and maintainable.

What you will do

• Design, implement, and optimize our FUSE file system abstraction to enable seamless integration between DuckDB and cloud storage backends.

• Develop and maintain distributed read caching, background processes (compaction, GC, etc...)

• Enhance observability and diagnostics for storage-related systems to ensure reliability and troubleshoot issues effectively.

• Collaborate with internal engineering teams and cross-functional partners to deliver a coherent, scalable storage system.

• Work on state management and dynamic resource allocation for our storage infrastructure.

• Ensure the system is reliable, secure, and efficient, while maintaining agility for rapid iteration.

• Participate in on-call rotations and contribute to improving system reliability to make those on-call shifts quieter (and maybe even fun).

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent work experience.

• 3+ years of software development experience, with a focus on storage systems, file systems, or distributed storage architectures.

• Strong experience with C++ or another low level systems programming language.

• Familiarity with FUSE or other file system abstractions.

• Deep understanding of cloud storage backends (e.g., S3, GCS, Azure Blob Storage) and the challenges of integrating them with file systems.

• Experience with distributed systems, storage formats, or data processing engines.

• Knowledge of SQL databases like PostgreSQL and DuckDB is a plus.

• Comfortable working in a cloud-native environment (AWS, GCP, Azure) with deployment automation and scaling experience.

• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

• Self-directed and team-oriented with a collaborative mindset.

• Sense of fun, willingness to embrace duck puns, and ability to not take yourself too seriously.

What we provide

• Feather-ruffling compensation – competitive salary and stock options so you have a stake in our flock’s success.

• Top-notch healthcare coverage – 100% paid medical, dental, and vision for employees, plus 80% coverage for dependents (because we care about your whole nest).

• Unlimited PTO – take the time you need to recharge, explore, or just have a lazy day by the pond.

• 401k plan – because even ducks need to plan for the future.

• Legendary company events – we bring the whole flock together twice a year for unforgettable summits in fun locations, plus 1-2 team gatherings a year to keep our bonds strong.

• Hybrid work environment – Spend three days a week in the office collaborating with the flock, and work from wherever you’re most productive the rest of the time—whether that’s your home office, a coffee shop, or a peaceful lakeside retreat.

Please Apply

Does this role sound appealing to you, but you’re missing some of the requirements or don’t quite think you’re qualified?  Please apply anyway. Research has shown that underrepresented groups in technology often shy away from roles which aren’t a 100% match. We aim to build a diverse team and will strongly consider applicants who bring many of the requirements plus have other experiences which round out their qualifications.

MotherDuck is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. MotherDuck is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities.