Software Engineer (Cassandra)

Job Summary

NetApp is pioneering StorageGRID object storage—AWS cloud-compatible software that helps power the exponential growth of AI data lakes. As a Software Engineer, Cassandra at the MTS 4 level, you will focus primarily on Java-based Cassandra development for the distributed database layer that underpins StorageGRID metadata services, scale-out reliability, upgradeability, and enterprise customer workloads.

This role is ideal for an experienced hands-on engineer who enjoys working deep in distributed systems, database internals, open-source technologies, product integration, performance, and reliability engineering within a mission-critical object storage product.

Role Overview

As a Software Engineer, Cassandra on the StorageGRID team, you will operate as a strong independent contributor focused primarily on Java Cassandra development. You will design and implement Cassandra-related features, improve product integration, and strengthen scale, upgrade, and operational behavior for enterprise deployments.

At the Software Engineer, the role requires strong technical depth, end-to-end ownership, sound design judgment, and the ability to influence peers through high-quality code, thoughtful reviews, and clear technical communication.

Job Responsibilities

StorageGRID Cassandra Development & Feature Ownership

• Design and implement Java-based Cassandra features and improvements with end-to-end ownership
• Translate product, scale, upgrade, supportability, and customer requirements into clear Cassandra technical designs
• Make sound trade-offs across availability, data protection, consistency, performance, maintainability, and operational simplicity in large-scale distributed database systems

Cassandra Internals & StorageGRID Integration

• Develop high-quality, efficient, and maintainable code in Java and related database/system technologies
• Troubleshoot complex StorageGRID issues involving Cassandra storage, compaction, repair, replication, consistency, node lifecycle, and cluster behavior
• Build deep expertise in how Cassandra supports StorageGRID metadata, availability, and customer operations

Architecture Contribution & Technical Leadership

• Participate in Cassandra and StorageGRID design reviews and propose improvements to database architecture, product integration, and operational behavior
• Influence component-level design in areas such as metadata services, observability, repair, upgradeability, node lifecycle, and cluster operations

Open-Source & Community-Aware Development

• Apply practical knowledge of open-source development models, code review practices, issue tracking, and community-driven engineering workflows
• Work with upstream-style development expectations, including clear design rationale, high-quality patches, maintainable tests, and constructive technical discussion
• Balance product needs with broader distributed database ecosystem considerations while following company contribution, legal, and compliance processes

Product Engineering & Customer-Focused Execution

• Deliver Cassandra changes that meet StorageGRID product requirements and release-quality standards
• Contribute to code reviews, issue triage, root-cause analysis, and test strategy for Cassandra-related StorageGRID work
• Scalability, Performance & Reliability
• Optimize Cassandra for StorageGRID scale, throughput, resiliency, node expansion, and failure recovery
• Lead performance analysis, benchmarking, capacity planning, and system tuning across StorageGRID Cassandra deployments
• Improve diagnostics, fault tolerance, upgrade safety, and operational debuggability for Cassandra within StorageGRID

Execution & Delivery

• Drive medium-to-large Cassandra initiatives from design through implementation, validation, and release readiness
• Identify risks, dependencies, and technical trade-offs early, and communicate clearly with stakeholders
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Work
• Collaborate closely with the existing senior Cassandra developer, StorageGRID engineering, QA, product management, supportability, support, and field teams
• Provide backup support for Cassandra orchestration, troubleshooting, testing, supportability, and release readiness workflows as needed

Job Requirements

• 8–12 years of experience in backend, systems, database, storage, or distributed systems engineering
• Strong programming skills in Java, with experience in Python, Go, C/C++, or similar languages a plus
• Hands-on experience with Apache Cassandra or comparable distributed database / NoSQL systems, preferably at the internals or platform integration level
• Practical knowledge of open-source development practices, including code reviews, design discussions, patch quality, testing expectations, and community collaboration
• Solid understanding of replication, consistency, partitioning, failure handling, node lifecycle, and cluster coordination
• Experience designing and debugging complex software systems in Linux-based, scale-out, or storage-oriented environments
• Ability to independently drive feature development, technical investigations, root-cause analysis, and problem resolution
• Strong communication skills with the ability to write clear designs, explain trade-offs, and collaborate across distributed teams
• Preferred Qualifications
• Deep experience with Cassandra internals such as storage engine, compaction, repair, indexing, schema evolution, upgrades, or release management
• Experience integrating Cassandra or similar distributed databases into enterprise storage, object storage, cloud, or scale-out infrastructure products
• Experience with performance optimization, benchmarking, observability, and large-scale production troubleshooting
• Experience contributing to or working with open-source database, storage, or distributed systems projects
• Familiarity with StorageGRID, object storage concepts, S3, Kubernetes, containerized services, CI/CD pipelines, and modern development workflows
• Exposure to AI-assisted development tools and workflows for code generation, review, debugging, testing, or documentation
• Education
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience

Compensation:
The target salary range for this position is 170,000 - 253,000 USD. The salary offered will be determined by the candidate's location, qualifications, experience, and education and may be outside of this range. The range is based on 'On Target Earnings’ (OTE) representing the total potential earnings, which is the sum of the base salary and potential commission earned when performance targets are achieved. Final compensation packages are competitive and in line with industry standards, reflecting a variety of factors, and include a comprehensive benefits package. This may cover Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Retirement or Pension Plans, Paid Time Off, various Leave options, employee stock purchase plan, and/or restricted stocks (RSU’s). These offerings are subject to regional variations and governed by local laws, regulations, and company policies. We will provide detailed information about the specific benefits for your region during the recruitment process.