Database Platform Engineer, Sourcegraph
$80-200k
Salary dependent on location + Equity
Universal code search for developers
Job no longer available
Universal code search for developers
101-200 employees
Job no longer available
$80-200k
Salary dependent on location + Equity
101-200 employees
Company mission
To make it so everyone codes by building the tools that keep developers at the bleeding edge.
Role
Who you are
- You are a PostgreSQL expert with a proven ability to optimize performance, resolve complex issues, and lead large-scale database initiatives
- You excel at automation, observability, and cost optimization while collaborating across teams to drive efficiency and reliability
- A strong collaborator, you work seamlessly across engineering teams, embedding when needed to provide direct support on database-heavy projects while driving broader system-wide improvements
- You are strongly aligned with our values, inspired by our mission to make it so that everyone can code, and motivated to do your best work at Sourcegraph
- Clear and empathetic communication skills
- Deep Expertise in PostgreSQL – Hands-on experience with query optimization, schema design, indexing, migrations, and troubleshooting complex database issues
- Cross-Team Collaboration – Proven ability to work across engineering teams, effectively prioritize tasks, and balance project-specific work with broader system-wide improvements
- Database Observability – Experience implementing and utilizing monitoring tools to gain insights into database performance, reliability, and usage patterns
- Cost Optimization – Strong understanding of database cost management strategies, including performance tuning, indexing strategies, and cloud cost reduction techniques
- Your working hours overlap with 9am-5pm PT for at least 15 hours per week so we have time to collaborate synchronously when necessary
What the job involves
- As a Database Engineer on our Dev Infrastructure team this role offers the opportunity to be a key technical leader, driving high-impact database initiatives that optimize performance, scalability, and cost efficiency
- You'll tackle complex PostgreSQL challenges, influence critical architectural decisions, and collaborate across teams to shape the organization's database strategy
- If you enjoy solving deep technical problems, building automation for reliability, and making a measurable impact on cloud efficiency, this position provides an exciting and rewarding challenge
- Within one month, you will…
- Familiarize yourself with the current database architecture, telemetry pipelines, and key pain points related to performance and data flows
- Collaborate with key teams to identify immediate optimizations and develop a short-term improvement plan
- Within three months, you will…
- Implement optimizations to improve query performance, indexing, and data ingestion latency
- Establish database best practices (e.g., schema design, query optimization) and document them for adoption across teams
- Within six months, you will…
- Lead the design and implementation of foundational changes to improve database scalability, reliability, and performance
- Collaborate with the Metrics and Operations team to design efficient telemetry pipelines and reduce data pipeline failures
- Within one year, you will…
- Design and implement a scalable, self-service database architecture that supports future growth while minimizing manual intervention
- Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure ongoing improvements in data migrations, schema evolution, and disaster recovery
Application process
- Introduction Stage - we have initial conversations to get to know you better…
- [30m] Recruiter Screen
- [15m] Hiring Manager Screen
- Team Interview Stage - we then delve into your experience in more depth and introduce you to members of the team, including cross-functional partners…
- [Async] Take home Exercise
- [60m] Technical Screen / Resume Deep Dive
- [60m] Take home Exercise Walkthrough
- [45m] Cross-functional Team Collaboration / Values
- [15m] Leadership with co-founder
- We check references and conduct your background check
- Please note - you are welcome to request additional conversations with anyone you would like to meet, but didn’t get to meet during the interview process
Our take
Inspired by code search engines like OpenGrok, Livegrep and Google Code Search, Sourcegraph has developed a robust tool that allows developers to swiftly search through code across an entire organization. While similar systems are used by large-scale organizations, Sourcegraph aims to make this powerful code search capability accessible to every developer.
Searching through extensive codebases, especially during debugging, can be time-consuming and tiresome. Sourcegraph streamlines this process, saving time and reducing stress for both individuals and businesses. The platform offers a free version for all developers, while revenue is generated through enterprise-specific features tailored for large corporations.
The launch of Cody, an open-source AI tool that enhances coding practices, saw the company expand into AI coding agents - although this part of its business is now splitting off into "Amp". This leaves the Sourcegraph team to focus on delivering and innovating its code search product, which is now a mission-critical piece of AI infrastructure software for many businesses.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
-20% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 5 rounds)
Jul 2021
$125m
SERIES D
Dec 2020
$50m
SERIES C
Total funding: $223m
Company benefits
- Medical, dental and vision (100% company-paid)
- Unlimited PTO with a 30 day minimum
- Wellness stipend
- Generous travel budgets
- Family planning benefits
- Equity
- Office budget
- Professional development
- Global, remote-friendly team with hubs in key cities
Company HQ
SoMa, San Francisco, CA
Leadership
Quinn Slack
(Board Member & Co-founder)CEO and Member of Technical Staff at Amp Code. Previously co-founded Blend Labs, and also worked at Palantir Technologies where they created a technology platform to help two of the top five U.S. banks recover from the housing crisis.
Beyang Liu
(CTO & Co-founder)Previously a Software Engineer at Palantir Technologies, where they developed new data analysis software on a small, customer-facing team working with Fortune 500 companies. Studied Computer Science at Stanford.
Dan Adler
(CEO)Joined the company in 2016 as Director of BizOps and Strategy. Became VP of Business in 2018, then CEO in 2025. Previously founded Cells Software, was an Investment Associate at Vector Capital, and Consultant at Bain & Company.
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