Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++)

clickhouse· Engineering
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🌍 Remote📍 Germany📍 Spain📍 The Netherlands📍 United KingdomFullTime

About this role

NOTE: this role can be located anywhere ClickHouse has a hiring presence.

ClickHouse — Core Analytics Database

About the Role:
ClickHouse is looking for a Principal Database Performance Engineer to join the team behind our high-performance analytics database service.
In this role, you will drive performance and scalability improvements across the stack, taking on ambiguous, high-impact technical challenges most engineers never get to touch.
Our performance team owns the core of query execution - filters, aggregation, joins, and the index structures that make them fast.
We're looking for a sharp, passionate engineer who wants to own database performance end-to-end on a petabyte-scale cloud database, from initial analysis and implementation, through production rollout.

What you will do:
- Identify impactful performance and scalability opportunities in customer or benchmark workloads
- Architect and implement optimized database algorithms and data structures across core relational operators, indexes, query processing, memory management and scheduling
- Drive the performance roadmap for latency, throughput, memory efficiency and hardware utilization improvements
- Participate in the development of a complex, high-performance database system, including meticulous testing and safe production rollout
- Represent the company externally through presentations, blog posts, and community contributions
- Mentor and support junior engineers on the team

What You'll Bring
- 5+ years of experience in database performance engineering, distributed systems
- Master or PhD in databases or a related field
- Strong fluency in C++ and a background in performance-critical software or systems programming
- A track record of driving complex performance improvements end-to-end
- Deep understanding of computer science fundamentals, data structures, and algorithms
- Excellent communication and leadership skills, with a proactive, goal-driven mindset

Perks

  • Flexible work environment - ClickHouse is a globally distributed company and remote-friendly. We currently operate in over 25 countries.

  • Healthcare - Employer contributions towards your healthcare.

  • Equity in the company - Every new team member who joins our company receives stock options.

  • Time off - Flexible time off in the US, generous entitlement in other countries.

  • A USD$500 Home office setup if you’re a remote employee.

  • Global Gatherings – We believe in the power of in-person connection and offer opportunities to engage with colleagues at company-wide offsites.

Culture - We All Shape It

As part of a rapidly scaling start-up, you will be instrumental in shaping our culture.

Are you interested in finding out more about our culture? Learn more about our values here. Check out our blog posts or follow us on LinkedIn to find out more about what’s happening at ClickHouse.

Equal Opportunity & Privacy

ClickHouse provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on factors such as race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Please see here for our Privacy Statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the salary disclosed for the Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) position at clickhouse?
The salary for this Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) role at clickhouse is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Is the Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) job at clickhouse remote?
Yes, this Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) position at clickhouse is remote, with team members based in Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, United Kingdom. You can work from home or anywhere in the supported regions.
Is the Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) role at clickhouse full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a FullTime position. It is posted as a Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) role in the Engineering department at clickhouse.
Which team or department does the Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) at clickhouse belong to?
This Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) position is part of the Engineering department at clickhouse. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) position at clickhouse?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to clickhouse's official application portal hosted on ashby where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) job at clickhouse posted?
This Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++) position at clickhouse was posted on Sep 17, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Principal Database Performance Engineer - Core Engineering (C++)
clickhouse
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