Senior Software Engineer - Observe by Snowflake, Indexing and Query Execution

Snowflake Computing Switzerland GmbH seeks a Senior Software Engineer in Zürich to lead query execution and performance optimization for its AI-powered Observe platform.

This dedicated expert position focuses on the end-to-end ownership of the query execution service within Observe by Snowflake, an AI-native observability platform. The role aims to drive performance improvements and architectural advancements for the company's agentic enterprise initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage and advance the query execution service, covering aspects like caching, incremental processing, rewrites, and decomposition.
• Analyze extensive user and system queries to pinpoint performance bottlenecks and implement enhancements.
• Address customer-reported latency issues, serving as a primary responder during new deal assessments.
• Develop automated tuning mechanisms for system parameters to lower execution times and associated costs.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams to advocate for platform enhancements and ensure clear requirement communication.
• Scope and deliver pipeline improvements, balancing immediate fixes with long-term architectural goals.

Requirements

• Over five years of professional experience developing distributed systems.
• Practical background working directly with execution machinery, such as query planning, caching, rewrite rules, and execution engines.
• Demonstrated capability to diagnose and fix database performance issues at scale, including systematic analysis and deep-dive debugging.
• Solid grasp of algorithms, distributed systems architecture, and backend infrastructure.
• Capacity to quickly learn complex, unfamiliar systems and produce meaningful improvements.
• Customer-oriented approach to translate performance problems into technical root causes and lasting solutions.
• Excellent communication abilities for engaging with internal and external stakeholders, including partner engineering teams.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with Snowflake or other cloud data warehouses.
• Previous involvement with observability, monitoring, or telemetry platforms.
• Background in OLAP query optimization, columnar storage, or vectorized execution.
• Advanced degree in Computer Science specializing in databases or systems.

About the company

Snowflake Computing Switzerland GmbH fosters a culture of AI-native thinking, treating AI as a high-trust collaborator. The organization values low-ego individuals who thrive in dynamic environments with an experimental mindset. Observe combines startup-style ownership and velocity with the global reach and operational excellence of a leading data platform, seeking individuals who challenge ordinary thinking and push the pace of innovation.

• Emphasis on AI-native thinking and treating AI as a high-trust collaborator.
• Preference for low-ego individuals who thrive in dynamic, fast-moving environments.
• Combination of startup-style ownership and velocity with global reach and operational excellence.
• High-ownership, high-impact role environment.
• Values individuals who challenge ordinary thinking and push the pace of innovation.