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Principal Architect

Planful
Location
Remote (North America)
Posted
2 months ago
Department
Engineering
Salary
$325,000 - $375,000
What they actually want (must-haves)
  • 15+ years in software engineering with a focus on backend systems and data infrastructure
  • Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of compilers, ASTs, eBNF, and query planning
  • In-depth understanding of SQL, query optimization, and the internal workings of columnar databases
  • Expert proficiency in Java, specifically regarding multi-threading, asynchronous I/O, networking, and memory management
  • Proven experience in designing distributed caching layers and managing state across microservices
  • Ability to decompose complex data problems into scalable architectural components
Nice to have
  • Prior experience developing financial systems such as ERP, EPM, or General Ledger platforms
What the job really is

In this remote Principal Architect role, you will lead the architectural design and implementation of a high-performance OLAP query engine and semantic layer. Your responsibilities include developing a custom JSON-based query language, optimizing SQL for columnar databases, and managing multi-dimensional data models. You will also focus on performance engineering, including caching strategies and JVM tuning, while providing technical leadership and documentation throughout the development process.

Benefits
  • 2 Volunteer days per year, Birthday PTO, and quarterly company Wellness Days
  • 3 months supply of diapers and meal deliveries for the first month of your Maternity/Paternity leave and generous parental leave
  • Talkspace access and mental health support
  • Annual company-wide gatherings held in cities like San Diego, Denver, Palm Springs, and Vegas!
  • Office hubs in San Francisco, Toronto, and London
  • Home office setup, and monthly wifi and cell phone reimbursements for all employees, in-office or remote
Things to weigh
  • OTE range is $325,000 - $375,000 USD per year, depending on experience and location
  • Role involves complex systems-level challenges that may require a steep learning curve
  • Focus on backend systems and data infrastructure may limit exposure to front-end technologies
Job score4/5
Benefits4/5
Freshness1/5
Career value5/5
Role clarity5/5
Pay transparency5/5

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