Expert

Principal Data Platform Software Engineer (Database Operations)

Santa Clara, United States · On-site$240–420k

Company Description

It all started when engineer Fred Luddy wrote code that automated a tedious task for his coworker, Phyllis. She cried tears of joy. That moment inspired Fred to build a company that could do that for everyone—freeing people from busywork so they could focus on meaningful work. Today, ServiceNow is the AI control tower for business reinvention. Our ServiceNow AI platform brings together any AI, any data, and any workflow— helping 85% of the Fortune 500® work smarter, faster, and better. We're building an AI-native culture where technology and talent are unstoppable together. And we're just getting started.

Join us to put AI to work for people.

Job Description

About RaptorDB Operations

RaptorDB Operations owns the tooling, and operational excellence that safely deploys, manages, and operates RaptorDB databases across ServiceNow's global data centers and public cloud providers. Our team delivers mission-critical solutions that enable reliable service for millions of ServiceNow customers at massive scale.

We partner closely with RaptorDB development team, infrastructure automation, systems engineering, security, and customer support teams to architect and implement database operations that meet rigorous standards for uptime, performance, and resilience.

Role Overview

As a Principal Data Platform Software Engineer, you take part in architecting solutions for operating RaptorDB at scale. You will take part in setting technical directions for database deployment strategies, lead cross functional design sessions and establish best practices across teams. This role combines hands-on engineering excellence with technical leadership, bridging on-premise technologies, cloud-native architecture, infrastructure automation, and operational resilience.

What you get to do in this role

Participate in architecting and designing solutions for RaptorDB deployment, operations, and resilience across ServiceNow's hybrid infrastructure (datacenters and public cloud providers).
Collaborate across organizational boundaries to evolve backup, restore, replication, and failover systems that integrate with broader database reliability and scalability efforts across the platform.
Drive adoption of cloud-native technologies (e.g., Kubernetes, Cloud-Native PostgreSQL) and establish reference architectures that balance operational simplicity with business requirements.
Develop high-quality, clean, and maintainable code that enforces best practices in software architecture, automated testing, code reviews, and deployment pipelines.
Collaborate with Architects across teams, RaptorDB development, infrastructure automation, systems engineering, and security teams to ensure database operations are secure, performant, and resilient across all environments.
Lead performance analysis and optimization initiatives, including backup and restore times, recovery time objectives (RTO), and resource utilization across the fleet.
Respond to urgent production incidents and provide expert guidance on database operations challenges to customer-facing and internal teams.
Build and maintain institutional knowledge through documentation, runbooks, and architectural decision records that enable the team to scale.

To be successful in this role you have

Skilled in applying AI-assisted tools to enhance productivity across design, analytics, and software development while adhering to governance and best practices.
Experience in working across organizations co-architecting and co-designing holistic solutions.
Track record of helping with setting technical direction, making architectural decisions under uncertainty in a highly collaborative environment.
Deep expertise with databases, including operations, operational management and backup/restore strategies.
Experience designing and building distributed systems, with strong understanding of high-availability, failover, and disaster recovery architectures.
Exceptional communication skills; ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both engineering and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications

Experience in leveraging or critical thinking about how to integrate AI into work processes, decision making, or problem solving. This includes using AI powered tools, automated workflows, analyzing AI-driven insights, or reasoning about AI’s impact on how infrastructure is built and run.
12+ years of software engineering experience, with 8+ years focused on database systems, infrastructure, or cloud platforms.
Hands-on proficiency with multiple programming languages (Go, Python, or equivalent) and demonstrated mastery of software engineering best practices.
Experience with Kubernetes and database operators.
Experience operating databases in cloud environments
In-depth Linux knowledge
Excellent technical problem-solving skills
Background in open-source database is a plus

For positions in this location, we offer a base pay of $240,100 - $420,200, plus equity (when applicable), variable/incentive compensation and benefits. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the base pay shown is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location. We also offer health plans, including flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) Plan with company match, ESPP, matching donations, a flexible time away plan and family leave programs. Compensation is based on the geographic location in which the role is located and is subject to change based on work location.

Additional Information

Work Personas

We approach our distributed world of work with flexibility and trust. Work personas (flexible, remote, or required in office) are categories that are assigned to ServiceNow employees depending on the nature of their work and their assigned work location. Learn more here. To determine eligibility for a work persona, ServiceNow may confirm the distance between your primary residence and the closest ServiceNow office using a third-party service.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ServiceNow is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or any other category protected by law. In addition, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with legal requirements.

Accommodations

We strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are unable to use this online application and need an alternative method to apply, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

Export Control Regulations

For positions requiring access to controlled technology subject to export control regulations, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), ServiceNow may be required to obtain export control approval from government authorities for certain individuals. All employment is contingent upon ServiceNow obtaining any export license or other approval that may be required by relevant export control authorities.

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