Software Engineer, Databases (Technical Leadership)

Meta is seeking a distinguished Software Engineer specializing in database internals to drive the technical direction of our MySQL infrastructure that powers Meta's family of products and platforms. In this role, you will architect and evolve critical database systems within our MySQL team — including our custom storage layer (My Rocks) and replication layer (MyRAFT) — that underpin billions of user interactions daily. You will identify and solve the hardest database-level challenges across the organization, define multi-year technical strategy to adapt our relational database systems to support Meta's AI needs, and serve as a force multiplier for engineering teams through deep database expertise, AI-native workflows, and cross-functional leadership.
Software Engineer, Databases (Technical Leadership) Responsibilities
Define and drive the long-term technical vision and architecture for Meta's MySQL infrastructure, including the My Rocks storage engine and MyRAFT replication layer
Architect database system enhancements to support Meta's evolving AI workloads and large-scale data requirements
Identify and resolve the most complex database-level performance, reliability, and correctness challenges that span storage, replication, query execution, and transaction processing
Lead the design and implementation of critical database internals — including storage engine optimizations, replication protocols, query planning, and transaction management — ensuring correctness, efficiency, and long-term maintainability
Establish extensible technical foundations, coding standards, and architectural patterns that improve consistency and velocity across database engineering teams
Develop and operationalize testing frameworks, verification methodologies, and data integrity checks that prevent database bugs and reliability regressions at scale
Leverage AI tooling and automation to optimize database performance, accelerate development workflows, and identify optimization opportunities
Partner with product, infrastructure, and platform engineering teams to translate complex database requirements into durable technical designs, influencing roadmaps across organizational boundaries
Define and track database-level metrics, SLOs, and performance guardrails that connect engineering outcomes to organization-level priorities
Mentor engineers across the organization on database design principles, query optimization techniques, and storage engine internals

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
12+ years of experience in database systems engineering, including design and implementation of database internals such as storage engines, replication systems, query optimizers, or transaction processing
Experience working on database teams in the industry, with deep expertise in database architecture and internals
Experience architecting and owning large-scale database infrastructure used across multiple teams or organizations, including driving multi-year technical roadmaps
Experience identifying and resolving complex database performance, reliability, or correctness issues spanning storage, replication, or query execution layers
Experience defining engineering standards, architectural patterns, and verification methodologies that improve database system quality and consistency
Experience communicating complex database architecture and technical strategy in writing and presentations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience applying AI and machine learning techniques to database optimization problems, such as query optimization, workload prediction, or automated performance tuning
Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
Experience with distributed database systems, consensus protocols (such as Raft or Paxos), or building highly available data infrastructure
Experience leading database migrations, schema evolution, or platform modernization efforts in large-scale production environments
Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
Experience with database internals, like storage engines

About Meta

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and Whats App further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
For those who live in or expect to work from California if hired for this position, please click here for additional information.
United States of America: $219,000/year to $301,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. You may view our Equal Employment Opportunity notice here.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, fill out the Accommodations request form.
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