Senior Software Engineer - PostgreSQL for AI Workloads

Overview

Microsoft is a company where passionate innovators come to collaborate, envision what can be and take their careers further. This is a world of more possibilities, more innovation, more openness, and the sky is the limit thinking in a cloud-enabled world.

Microsoft’s Azure Data engineering team is leading the transformation of analytics in the world of data with products like databases, data integration, big data analytics, messaging & real-time analytics, and business intelligence. The products our portfolio include Microsoft Fabric, Azure SQL DB, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure PostgreSQL, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Service Bus, Azure Event Grid, and Power BI. Our mission is to build the data platform for the age of AI, powering a new class of data-first applications and driving a data culture.

Within Azure Data, the databases team builds and maintains Microsoft's operational Database systems. We store and manage data in a structured way to enable multitude of applications across various industries. We are on a journey to enable developer friendly, mission-critical, AI enabled operational Databases across relational, non-relational and OSS offerings.

Are you passionate about advancing database systems to support the next generation of AI-powered applications? Do you thrive on building core 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 deep 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 and full-text indexing, hybrid search patterns, graph queries, and in-database model integration. We are looking for a Senior Engineer to design and build foundational systems that enable intelligent applications to run directly inside PostgreSQL with performance, reliability, and scale.

This is a high-impact individual contributor role where you will collaborate with experienced engineers, contribute to core infrastructure, and help shape the developer experience for AI-powered applications built on 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.

We do not just value differences or different perspectives. We seek them out and invite them in so we can tap into the collective power of everyone in the company. As a result, our customers are better served.

Responsibilities

Design and implement AI-native capabilities in PostgreSQL, including vector indexing, semantic and full-text search operators, hybrid search patterns, and graph query features

Own the design and implementation of major AI-native subsystems, from early technical exploration through production readiness

Build high-performance extensions and core engine integrations in C, C++, or Rust

Work effectively in high-ambiguity areas where patterns are still emerging and technical tradeoffs must be evaluated through experimentation

Collaborate with senior engineers, product teams, and AI researchers to deliver scalable and intuitive capabilities

Contribute to end-to-end development, including performance tuning, correctness, operability, and service integration

Participate in code reviews, technical design discussions, and the evolution of engineering standards

Help shape the developer experience through APIs, control plane integration, and extensibility

Stay informed on research and industry trends in AI indexing, graph systems, and database-AI convergence

Embody our culture and values

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND equivalent technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
OR equivalent experience.
Proven technical engineering capabilities in systems-level engineering, including work on database engines, distributed systems, or backend infrastructure
Proficiency in one or more systems programming languages such as C, C++, or Rust
Experience working with PostgreSQL or similar engines at the extension, indexing, or query execution level
Demonstrated ability to design and deliver reliable, performant systems in a collaborative environment

Job Requirements: Other & Additional

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check:

This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Preferred/Additional Qualifications

Experience implementing vector indexes, ANN search algorithms, or semantic retrieval systems
Interest or experience in graph data models or graph-aware query execution
Familiarity with embedding workflows, model integration, or retrieval-augmented generation patterns
Prior contributions to open-source databases, search engines, or AI infrastructure projects
Strong problem-solving and communication skills with a collaborative, growth-oriented mindset
Commitment to learning, innovation, and inclusive engineering culture

#azdat #azuredata

#postgres #databases

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process.