Software Engineer (Cassandra)

NetApp is pioneering StorageGRID object storage—AWS cloud-compatible software that helps power the exponential growth of AI data lakes. As a Software Engineer, Cassandra at the MTS 4 level, you will focus primarily on Java-based Cassandra development for the distributed database layer that underpins StorageGRID metadata services, scale-out reliability, upgradeability, and enterprise customer workloads.  This role is ideal for an experienced hands-on engineer who enjoys working deep in distributed systems, database internals, open-source technologies, product integration, performance, and reliability engineering within a mission-critical object storage product.

Overview  As a Software Engineer, Cassandra on the StorageGRID team, you will operate as a strong independent contributor focused primarily on Java Cassandra development. You will design and implement Cassandra-related features, improve product integration, and strengthen scale, upgrade, and operational behavior for enterprise deployments.  At the Software Engineer, the role requires strong technical depth, end-to-end ownership, sound design judgment, and the ability to influence peers through high-quality code, thoughtful reviews, and clear technical communication.

StorageGRID Cassandra Development & Feature Ownership  Design and implement Java-based Cassandra features and improvements with end-to-end ownership  Translate product, scale, upgrade, supportability, and customer requirements into clear Cassandra technical designs  Make sound trade-offs across availability, data protection, consistency, performance, maintainability, and operational simplicity in large-scale distributed database systems    Cassandra Internals & StorageGRID Integration  Develop high-quality, efficient, and maintainable code in Java and related database/system technologies  Troubleshoot complex StorageGRID issues involving Cassandra storage, compaction, repair, replication, consistency, node lifecycle, and cluster behavior  Build deep expertise in how Cassandra supports StorageGRID metadata, availability, and customer operations    Architecture Contribution & Technical Leadership  Participate in Cassandra and StorageGRID design reviews and propose improvements to database architecture, product integration, and operational behavior  Influence component-level design in areas such as metadata services, observability, repair, upgradeability, node lifecycle, and cluster operations Open-Source & Community-Aware Development  Apply practical knowledge of open-source development models, code review practices, issue tracking, and community-driven engineering workflows  Work with upstream-style development expectations, including clear design rationale, high-quality patches, maintainable tests, and constructive technical discussion  Balance product needs with broader distributed database ecosystem considerations while following company contribution, legal, and compliance processes    Product Engineering & Customer-Focused Execution  Deliver Cassandra changes that meet StorageGRID product requirements and release-quality standards  Contribute to code reviews, issue triage, root-cause analysis, and test strategy for Cassandra-related StorageGRID work  Scalability, Performance & Reliability  Optimize Cassandra for StorageGRID scale, throughput, resiliency, node expansion, and failure recovery  Lead performance analysis, benchmarking, capacity planning, and system tuning across StorageGRID Cassandra deployments  Improve diagnostics, fault tolerance, upgrade safety, and operational debuggability for Cassandra within StorageGRID  Execution & Delivery  Drive medium-to-large Cassandra initiatives from design through implementation, validation, and release readiness  Identify risks, dependencies, and technical trade-offs early, and communicate clearly with stakeholders  Collaboration & Cross-Functional Work  Collaborate closely with the