Backend Engineer (Python, SQL)

About The Company
Sift is at the forefront of redefining how modern machines are built, tested, and operated by providing a cutting-edge platform that offers engineers real-time observability over high-frequency telemetry data. Our innovative infrastructure eliminates bottlenecks, enabling faster development cycles and more reliable systems. With origins rooted in our work at SpaceX on projects such as Dragon, Falcon, Starlink, and Starship, Sift was founded by a team comprising experts from SpaceX, Google, and Palantir. Our mission is to support mission-critical systems where precision, scalability, and reliability are paramount. We are committed to building foundational systems that empower some of the most advanced engineering teams around the world to innovate and succeed.
About The Role
As a key member of our engineering team, you will be instrumental in designing and scaling our data infrastructure to handle millions of high-frequency telemetry data points per second. This role involves defining core architecture, developing durable database solutions, and pioneering innovations in streaming and storage technologies. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure our platform remains scalable, efficient, and reliable. Your contributions will directly impact the performance and capabilities of our telemetry platform, supporting critical systems used in space exploration, aerospace, and other high-stakes industries. This is an opportunity to shape the future of real-time data infrastructure while working alongside world-class engineers dedicated to pushing technological boundaries.
Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM discipline
• 7+ years of experience in backend, infrastructure, or data engineering roles
• Hands-on experience with event-time-based stream processing or streaming SQL systems such as Apache Flink, Kafka Streams, Beam, or similar
• Proficiency with relational and time-series databases like PostgreSQL, Druid, Pinot, TimescaleDB, or equivalent
• Experience with large-scale distributed systems or low-latency backend services, preferably in Go, Rust, or Python
• Familiarity with DevOps practices and cloud infrastructure tools including Kubernetes, Prometheus, ArgoCD, and Terraform
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach to problem-solving

Responsibilities

• Design and develop a horizontally scalable platform capable of ingesting millions of hardware sensor data points per second
• Create durable, efficient database solutions to support real-time reads and large-scale analytics workloads
• Innovate in data architecture by integrating recent advancements in streaming and storage technologies, including cloud-native and diskless designs
• Establish engineering standards, processes, and best practices to ensure high-quality delivery
• Collaborate with peers on system architecture, code reviews, and scaling strategies to optimize platform performance
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of our data infrastructure and platform reliability

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $200,000 - $250,000 annually
• Equity participation in a high-growth technology company
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible work arrangements with in-person collaboration in El Segundo, CA, and options for remote work for suitable candidates
• Opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology in a mission-critical environment
• Professional development and growth opportunities within a collaborative team

Equal Opportunity
Sift is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected status. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and join our innovative team dedicated to advancing technological frontiers.