Software Engineer, Data Ingestion & Transformation

About Starburst

Starburst is the data platform for analytics, applications, and AI, unifying data across clouds and on-premises to accelerate AI innovation. Organizations—from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises in 60 countries—rely on Starburst for fast data access, seamless collaboration, and enterprise-grade governance on an open hybrid data lakehouse. Wherever data lives, Starburst unlocks its full potential, powering data and AI from development to deployment. By future-proofing data architecture, Starburst helps businesses fuel innovation with AI.

About the role:

Starburst is looking for a Software Engineer to work with our globally distributed engineering team on Starburst’s industry-leading data ingestion and transformation platform. In this role, you’ll contribute directly to the evolution of Starburst, tackling complex challenges across our managed SaaS, open source, and proprietary offerings - an ideal environment for learning and innovation. As a Software Engineer on our Icehouse team, you'll build highly scalable systems for ingesting and transforming data on Starburst’s open data lakehouse. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of data systems built around the open source distributed query engine Trino, and Apache Iceberg.

As a Software Engineer at Starburst you will: 

• Design, develop and operate systems and features relating to data ingestion and transformation. You’ll build on our systems which have proven ingestion up to 100GB/second.
• Work cross functionally to ensure the best experience for our customers.
• Build and implement features for creating and operating data lakes based on Apache Iceberg, such as streaming ingestion from Apache Kafka and Kafka-compatible systems; file ingestion from cloud object storage such as Amazon S3; data transformations; and automated scalable data maintenance.
• Provide considerate and timely review of your peers' design proposals pull requests.
• Help to build a highly effective culture across Starburst and your team.

Some of the things we look for:

• 3 years of experience developing software
• Prior experience developing distributed systems
• Extensive software development experience with Java. Experience with other systems programming languages (Rust, C , Go, etc) can be considered.
• Demonstrated experience with software engineering and design best practices
• Prior experience with software development using Trino, Apache Iceberg, Apache Kafka, or cloud object storage a huge plus
• Demonstration of ownership, grit, and bias for action - core values at Starburst
• Ability to Travel: This role will require occasional in-person travel for purposes including but not limited to new hire onboarding, team and department offsites, customer engagements, and other company events. Actual travel expectations may vary by role and business needs.

Where could this role be based?

• This role is based in our Boston office and follows a hybrid model, with an expectation of being onsite 2-3 days per week.

Salary range:

Starburst is dedicated to maintaining fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range provided for this role reflects the minimum and maximum targets for candidates across all U.S. locations and could be inclusive of variable compensation, such as commission or bonus. All employees receive equity packages (ISOs) and have access to a comprehensive benefits offering. Actual compensation packages are determined based on relevant skills, experience, education and training, and specific work location. For more information, connect with the recruiting team or Hiring Manager during the process as they can provide more detailed information about the salary range.

Build your career at Starburst

All-Stars have the opportunity and freedom to realize their true potential. By building alongside top talent, we’re empowered to take ownership of our careers and drive meaningful change. Anchored in industry-proven technology and unprecedented success, All-Stars are taking on the challenge everyday to disrupt our industry –  and the future. 

Our global workforce is supported by a competitive Total Rewards program that reflects our commitment to a rewarding and supportive work environment. This includes a variety of benefits like competitive pay, attractive stock grants, flexible paid time off, and more. 

We are committed to fostering an intentional, inclusive, and diverse culture that drives deep engagement, authentic belonging, and an exceptional All-Star experience. We believe that diversity of thought, perspective, background and experience will enable us to own what we do, drive our success and empower our All-Stars to show up authentically.

Starburst provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state
 or local laws.