Clera

Senior Software Engineer, Distributed Data Systems

Remote, United States remote Entry $200,000 - $350,000
remote Technology & IT Salary listed Curated
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About the role

About the Role
Join a fast-moving, NYC-based AI-native data infrastructure company that is building the next generation of agentic analytics. This is a greenfield opportunity to architect and build a scalable OLAP lakehouse platform that turns messy enterprise data into trustworthy, actionable answers — at scale, for some of the most data-intensive organizations in the world.
As a Senior Software Engineer on the Distributed Data Systems team, you'll own core platform components end-to-end, with a particular focus on query performance and join optimization. If you get genuinely excited about JOIN order optimization or have ever implemented a query optimizer for fun, this role was written for you.
The company is well-funded (Series A/B stage) and backed by notable strategic investors. Hiring decisions can be made within 72 hours of an onsite interview, and interview travel is covered.
Visa sponsorship is available.
What You'll Do
Work on a greenfield OLAP lakehouse project, building the data platform for the agentic era — where AI agents drive the vast majority of queries.

Design and implement distributed data system components with a strong focus on join optimization and query performance.

Collaborate fluidly across infrastructure, services, and frontend to deliver end-to-end data platform features.

Ship reliable, scalable data infrastructure that powers enterprise-grade analytics at scale.

Contribute from zero to one — this is early-stage, high-ownership work.

What We're Looking For
Required:
4+ years of experience as a data systems, backend, infrastructure, or platform engineer.

Proficiency in Haskell and/or TypeScript (the core tech stack).

Strong data focus — you think deeply about data quality, correctness, and performance.

Experience building products from zero to one; prior startup experience (ideally VC-backed) strongly preferred.

Experience with distributed systems.

Experience with big data systems (Apache Spark, Hadoop).

Experience with databases (relational, columnar, or otherwise).

Strong foundation in algorithms and data structures and their real-world applications.

Experience with OLAP lakehouse / data lakehouse architecture and query optimization.

Nice to Have:
Comfortable diving into any layer of the stack — infrastructure, services, or frontend.

Passion for building robust, scalable, and easy-to-use systems.

Background at companies working on data platforms, query engines, or AI/ML infrastructure.

Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $200,000 – $350,000 USD annually (based on experience)

Equity participation in a well-funded, high-growth startup

Interview travel covered for onsite candidates

Visa sponsorship available

Location
This role is on-site in New York, NY. Candidates should be based in NYC or willing to relocate. This is not a remote role.
Originally posted on Himalayas

Interview prep

Walk in with sharper answers.

Use this as a quick practice sheet before you speak with the employer.

Role
Technology & IT Data Analysis Javascript Remote Collaboration Senior Software remote

Likely questions

  1. Tell us about work you have done that is close to the Senior Software Engineer, Distributed Data Systems role.
  2. How would you approach your first 30 days at Clera?
  3. Which of Data Analysis, Javascript and Remote Collaboration have you used recently, and what did it help you achieve?
  4. Describe a time you solved a problem without waiting to be told exactly what to do.
  5. How do you stay organised and communicate clearly when working remotely?

Prepare before the call

  • A recent example that proves your experience with Data Analysis, Javascript and Remote Collaboration.
  • One short story with a problem, your action, and the result.
  • Two examples that show the strengths listed on your CV.
  • A clear reason why this role and company interest you.
  • Your availability, preferred work style, and salary expectations.

Ask them

  • What would success look like in the first 90 days?
  • What are the main problems this hire should help solve?
  • How does the team give feedback and measure good work?
  • What does a normal working week look like for this role?
Practice line

I am interested in the Senior Software Engineer, Distributed Data Systems role because I can bring practical experience in Data Analysis, Javascript and Remote Collaboration, learn the team quickly, and contribute to the outcomes Clera needs from this hire.

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