Distinguished Systems Developer - SQL Engine

At InterSystems, we’re redefining the future of analytics and intelligent data platforms. Our high-performance, hyper-capacity engine supports a multi-model storage layer—blending structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data—to power a new generation of AI-native and real-time workloads.

We believe in technical craftsmanship, deep collaboration, and a culture where ambitious people can build bold systems. The SQL Engine group is the nerve center of our product—where query processing meets distributed intelligence. We consider engineering a science, an art, and a craft, and we cultivate an environment where the most talented minds can thrive, innovate, and make a lasting impact.

This is your chance to design the core foundations of a data platform trusted by the world's most mission critical systems and AI research teams.

What You’ll Do

As a Distinguished Developer in the SQL Engine group, you'll help build the next-generation query processing stack, optimizing across both traditional analytics and emerging AI-driven workloads. You’ll contribute to:

• Query parsing, validation, and transformation
• Logical/physical optimization over multi-model data (row, columnar, stream, document, vector)
• Plan generation and adaptive execution strategies
• Code generation and vectorized execution
• Compiler-accelerated storage access patterns for AI workflows
• Collaborative integration with our multi-model storage engine

You’ll design data processing abstractions and execution engines that enable AI-native features like fast vector search, graph traversal, and probabilistic joins—all within a familiar SQL interface.

Your Impact

• Architect and implement query optimization and execution components that scale across petabytes
• Design tooling and frameworks that make AI and analytics convergence seamless
• Collaborate with platform and storage teams to leverage multi-model indexing and caching strategies
• Contribute to building programmable, intelligent data pipelines that drive downstream ML model performance
• Mentor engineers, guide technical debates, and influence long-term system direction
• Champion a culture of quality, rigor, and innovation

What We’re Looking For

• 10+ years of experience in systems-level or database internals engineering
• Proven expertise in SQL query engines, optimizers, execution runtimes, or data compiler toolchains
• Experience with multi-model data systems (SQL + JSON, vector search, graph traversal)
• Expert in at least one systems programming languages, or LLVM-based codegen environments
• Strong grasp of relational algebra, compiler construction, and data-intensive workloads
• Familiarity with AI infrastructure or ML inference pipelines is a strong plus
• Experience using AI-assisted tools (e.g. copilots, summarisation tools, or chatbots) with an ability to critically evaluate and verify AI-generated outputs
• Demonstrated ability to learn, evaluate, adapt to, propose and implement AI-augmented workflows in order to continually enhance your own, and the team’s productivity
• Passion for designing software that balances performance, correctness, and usability
• PHD degree or published research experience is highly advantageous.

Our Engineering Culture

• Innovation is expected: Engineers propose, prototype, and lead from the front
• Excellence over ego: Code is debated, ideas are tested, and the best ones win
• Long-term vision: We optimize for architectural clarity and product longevity
• Cross-domain thinking: We solve storage, processing, and AI problems together
• Sane pace, deep focus: We value craft, creativity, and time to do both well

Ready to Build What’s Next?

If you dream of working on deep query systems, love systems-level programming, and want to help create a platform that bridges SQL, multi-model data, and AI—we’d love to talk.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression or any other legally protected category. InterSystems is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.

The estimated base compensation range for this role is: 144000 - 205000 USD