Introduction
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Your role and responsibilities
We are looking for a passionate and motivated engineer to join our team and contribute to the development of Presto, a high-performance open-source distributed SQL engine used for big data analytics. In this role, you'll work closely with experienced engineers to build scalable systems and gain hands-on experience in distributed computing, query processing, and C++ development. This is a great opportunity for someone eager to grow into a strong systems engineer and contribute to open source communities.
Responsibilities
- Feature Development:
Assist in implementing and testing new features in the Presto C++ engine (Prestissimo), focusing on performance, stability, and maintainability. - Performance and Debugging:
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Learn to profile and debug distributed query execution, identify inefficiencies, and propose improvements with guidance from senior engineers.
Support efforts to integrate Presto with modern data storage formats (e.g., Parquet, ORC) and help ensure compatibility across systems.
Participate in design discussions, code reviews, and pair programming with mentors and teammates.
Document your work, contribute to internal knowledge bases, and build your understanding of distributed systems, query engines, and big data frameworks.
What You'll Gain
- Mentorship from experienced developers who are active in the Presto and open-source communities.
- Practical experience in building high-performance distributed systems.
- A launchpad into the world of big data, with exposure to tools and architectures used at scale.
- A collaborative culture that values learning, growth, and impact.
Required education
Bachelor's Degree
Preferred education
Master's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. Master's preferred.
- Solid programming skills in C++, and a basic understanding of memory management and performance principles.
- Familiarity with data structures, algorithms, and operating system fundamentals.
- Interest in distributed systems and backend infrastructure (coursework or projects a plus).
- Strong analytical and communication skills.
- Eagerness to learn open-source tools and contribute to collaborative development.
Preferred technical and professional experience
Preferred (Not Required) Qualifications
- Exposure to Java or Scala.
- Familiarity with SQL or experience working with data (e.g., via coursework or internships).
- Understanding of common data formats like Parquet, ORC.
- Participation in open-source projects, hackathons, or research in distributed systems.
ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT
IBM Software infuses core business operations with intelligence-from machine learning to generative AI-to help make organizations more responsive, productive, and resilient. IBM Software helps clients put AI into action now to create real value with trust, speed, and confidence across digital labor, IT automation, application modernization, security, and sustainability. Critical to this is the ability to make use of all data, because AI is only as good as the data that fuels it. In most organizations data is spread across multiple clouds, on premises, in private datacenters, and at the edge. IBM's AI and data platform scales and accelerates the impact of AI with trusted data, and provides leading capabilities to train, tune and deploy AI across business. IBM's hybrid cloud platform is one of the most comprehensive and consistent approach to development, security, and operations across hybrid environments-a flexible foundation for leveraging data, wherever it resides, to extend AI deep into a business.
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Being an IBMer means you'll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you'll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.
Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.
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ABOUT IBM
IBM's greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.
Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we're also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 50 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.
At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it's time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.
IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualifiedapplicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexualorientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability,neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is alsocommitted to compliance with all fair employment practices regardingcitizenship and immigration status.
OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS
IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:
- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being
- Financial programs such as 401(k), the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs
- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law
- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals
- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences
We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.
This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.