Distributed Systems Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

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. 

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 

• 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