Principal Software Engineer - AI Platform Development (Azure PostgreSQL)

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Are you passionate about advancing database systems to support the next generation of AI-powered applications? Do you thrive on building deep infrastructure like vector indexing, semantic search, and graph-aware query engines inside a trusted open-source database? Join us as we extend PostgreSQL to natively support AI workloads, combining strong systems engineering with meaningful developer impact.

The Azure PostgreSQL team is building advanced, cloud-native capabilities that extend PostgreSQL into a trusted platform for AI workloads. This includes native support for vector search, semantic indexing, graph queries, and in-database model integration. We are looking for a Principal Engineer to lead foundational systems work that enables intelligent applications to run directly inside PostgreSQL with performance, reliability, and scale.

This is a high-impact individual contributor role where you will define technical direction, influence platform strategy, and work across teams to build durable, scalable, and production-ready AI-native capabilities into PostgreSQL.

About the Team

We are a fast-moving, collaborative team focused on extending PostgreSQL to support AI workloads natively. Our work includes vector indexing, semantic query processing, graph data models, and model-aware execution capabilities, all built directly on top of the PostgreSQL engine. We operate at the intersection of distributed systems, database internals, and AI infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on technical rigor and real-world impact. Our culture values curiosity, deep systems thinking, and inclusive collaboration. We believe the best ideas emerge from engineering craftsmanship, open experimentation, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or related technical field AND significant experience in systems-level engineering, including work on database engines, distributed systems, or high-scale infrastructure
• Proficiency in one or more systems programming languages such as C, C++, or Rust
• Experience with PostgreSQL or similar engines at the extension, indexing, or query execution level
• Proven track record of leading design and implementation of complex systems and delivering them to production

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience implementing vector indexes, ANN search algorithms, or semantic retrieval mechanisms
• Background in graph data modeling or graph query execution
• Familiarity with embedding generation, model hosting, or integration of LLMs into data pipelines
• Prior contributions to open-source databases or AI systems
• Demonstrated technical leadership, mentorship, and a collaborative, cross-functional mindset.
• Commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and building an inclusive, high-performing engineering culture.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead the development of core AI capabilities in PostgreSQL including vector indexing, approximate nearest neighbor search, semantic query operators, and graph-native features
• Architect in-database support for embedding pipelines and model integration to enable retrieval, reasoning, and inference
• Lead system-level design efforts that span the PostgreSQL engine, extension frameworks, storage abstractions, and control plane surfaces
• Collaborate with product managers, applied AI researchers, and platform teams to define use cases and translate them into scalable and intuitive capabilities
• Contribute to production-grade implementation of complex systems, ensuring performance, reliability, and operability
• Set technical direction and engineering quality standards through code and design reviews, prototyping, and mentorship
• Act as a technical connector across teams, driving alignment on design, extensibility patterns, and developer experience
• Stay current on trends in vector databases, graph systems, and AI workloads, applying academic and open-source innovation to real-world engineering

Why Join Us

• Impact: Shape how developers build AI-powered applications by evolving one of the world’s most trusted open-source databases to support vector search, semantic indexing, graph queries, and model integration.
• Innovation: Work on technically challenging problems at the forefront of databases, distributed systems, and AI infrastructure.
• Growth: Expand your technical leadership, influence platform direction, and build a visible track record of meaningful contributions in a critical area of cloud and AI development.
• Community: Join a team that values deep systems thinking, open collaboration, and inclusive engineering. We care about learning, craftsmanship, and building durable technology that matters.