Principal Engineer - Data Platform (Remote)

About the Role

We are seeking a Principal Engineer - Data Platform to join our dynamic team at Optiver. This is a fantastic opportunity to work remotely while contributing to the development of our next-generation data platform that supports research and real-time trading. As a Principal Engineer, you will play a key role in designing and evolving the data platform, ensuring it meets the high standards required for efficient trading operations.

What You'll Do

• Design and develop scalable data platform components, including orchestration, storage formats, metadata, and streaming systems.
• Work across the full lifecycle: problem understanding, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and monitoring.
• Contribute to architectural decisions that enhance performance, scalability, and reliability.
• Standardize data ingestion and access patterns, including schema management, lineage, permissions, and auditing.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across engineering, research, trading, SRE, and security to deliver impactful solutions.
• Drive high-quality engineering practices, including code quality, testing, and observability.
• Partner with global teams to align on shared patterns and platforms.
• Engage in hands-on contributions to system design and production code.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience as a Software Engineer delivering production platforms.
• Strong experience with distributed systems and reliability fundamentals, including partitioning, replication, and consistency/availability tradeoffs.
• Expertise in one or more of the following languages: Python, C++, Java, or Rust.
• Solid API and system design skills.
• Understanding of data platform fundamentals, including batch/stream processing, table formats, object storage, and SQL.
• Knowledge of security and governance, such as encryption, authentication, and access control.
• Practical experience with streaming and batch data technologies (e.g., Kafka + Schema Registry).
• Excellent stakeholder communication skills.

Nice to Have

• Experience making architectural decisions on IT solutions, system design, and implementation.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms and services.

What We Offer

• A performance-based bonus structure that is unmatched in the industry.
• The opportunity to work alongside diverse and intelligent peers in a rewarding environment.
• Training, mentorship, and personal development opportunities.
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and an in-house barista.
• Gym membership plus weekly in-house chair massages.
• Regular social events, including a company trip every two years.
• Guided relocation, a competitive relocation package, and visa sponsorship where necessary.

Join us as a Principal Engineer - Data Platform and be part of a culture of collaboration and excellence. Apply now to take your career to the next level!