Distributed Systems Engineer (L5) - Data Platform

Netflix is hiring Distributed Systems Engineers for its data platform teams. The role is open to remote candidates anywhere in the United States, and the work centers on the infrastructure that moves and stores data across the company.

There are three teams highlighted in the listing, and the work differs by team. You would join one of them.

What you will do

On the Big Data Compute team, you would work on the cloud-native platform for distributed data processing. That team supports Spark for ETL into an exabytes-scale data warehouse and for large-scale analytics used by functions such as A/B testing, recommendations, and machine learning, as well as newer initiatives like ads and live. The role involves building features and performance enhancements and working with open source communities.

On the Online Data Stores team, you would develop and maintain data storage solutions at Netflix's scale, combining in-house open-sourced systems with public cloud data solutions. The team builds abstraction layers on top of base storage systems. Its services support Tier-0 Netflix services including the streaming Catalog and CDN metadata. The work includes building caching architectures focused on performance, cost efficiency, utility, and usability.

On the Analytics Infrastructure and Enablement team, you would build a platform for data practitioners to develop and manage data models and produce analytic products. The team develops APIs, user interfaces, and semi-automated data management and governance systems, and offers abstractions on the data warehouse so analysts can access semantic data models and build reporting and visualizations.

Across teams, the listing says this role involves architecting and building distributed infrastructure, leading cross-functional initiatives with engineers, product managers, and TPMs, and contributing to Netflix open source projects.

What they are looking for

• 7+ years of experience building complex, scalable distributed data infrastructure
• Proficiency in Java, C++, Golang, or Python, with a solid understanding of multi-threading and memory management
• A track record of developing and maintaining high-impact systems
• Experience building and operating scalable, fault-tolerant, distributed systems
• A BS in Computer Science or a related field

For the Big Data Compute team specifically, the listing also asks for experience with Spark, Presto or Trino, Druid, Iceberg, and distributed database systems generally.

Pay and benefits

The compensation range for this role is $388,000.00 to $619,000.00, and it varies by location. Netflix states that its compensation structure consists solely of an annual salary, with no bonuses. Each year you choose how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. The company determines individual pay using market indicators and factors such as job family, background, skills, and experience.

Benefits include health plans, mental health support, a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a stock option program, disability programs, health savings and flexible spending accounts, family-forming benefits, and life and serious injury benefits. Netflix also offers paid leave of absence programs. Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off.

Location and other details

The role is based in the United States and Netflix is open to remote candidates, stating it values what you can do from anywhere in the U.S. The company describes itself as an equal-opportunity employer and says inclusion is a Netflix value. Candidates who need an accommodation or adjustment during the hiring process for a disability or any other reason can send a request to their recruiting partner. The job is open for no less than 7 days and will be removed when the position is filled.