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Role Description

We are seeking a Principal Software Architect – Performance with deep expertise in data path and I/O performance for large-scale distributed file systems. This role is for a senior technical leader who drives performance architecture across the storage stack, from low-level code paths to system-wide behavior at massive scale.

• Define and own performance architecture for data path and I/O path components across distributed file systems
• Lead performance analysis and optimization of large-scale, high-performance, scale-out file systems
• Architect performance-aware designs across CPU, memory, storage, and network layers
• Drive optimization of performance-critical file system code, primarily in C++
• Establish best practices for performance measurement, profiling, benchmarking, and regression detection
• Lead deep-dive investigations into complex, system-wide performance issues
• Influence system architecture with a performance-first mindset
• Mentor senior and staff engineers on performance engineering techniques and methodologies
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure performance goals are met across the stack
• Represent performance considerations in design reviews and long-term roadmap planning

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in performance engineering, systems engineering, or distributed systems
• Deep understanding of distributed file systems and scale-out storage architectures
• Expert-level knowledge of data path and I/O path design and optimization
• Strong proficiency in C++ with extensive experience in performance-critical code
• Proven expertise in performance measurement techniques, including profiling, tracing, benchmarking, and custom tooling
• Strong foundation in distributed systems principles, including scalability, concurrency, and fault tolerance
• Demonstrated experience optimizing file system or storage system code for performance at scale
• Experience with high-performance, high-scale-out file systems in production environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with kernel-level and user-space I/O stacks
• Deep understanding of modern storage hardware (NVMe, SSDs, RDMA, high-speed networking)
• Experience building or evolving performance frameworks and benchmarking infrastructure
• Background in parallel programming, lock-free or low-contention designs
• Experience influencing architecture across multiple teams or large codebases

What Success Looks Like

• Clear performance architecture guiding system design and implementation
• Significant, measurable improvements in throughput, latency, and scalability
• Early identification and prevention of performance regressions
• Performance expertise that elevates engineering quality across the organization

Interview Process

After submitting your application, one of our recruiters will review your resume. If your application passes this stage, you will be invited to a 30-minute interview during which a member of our team will ask some basic questions. If you clear the interview, you will enter the main process, which can consist of up to four interviews in total:

• Coding assessment: Often in a language of your choice.
• Systems design: Translate high-level requirements into a scalable, fault-tolerant service (depending on role).
• Real-time problem-solving: Demonstrate practical skills in a live problem-solving session.
• Meet and greet with the wider team.

Our goal is to finish the main process in 2-3 weeks at most.

Company Description

DataDirect Networks (DDN) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, sex stereotyping, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.