Software Engineer - PostgreSQL for AI Workloads
Microsoft
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 an engineer excited to grow your skills while working close to the core of a modern database system? Are you curious about how AI-powered capabilities such as vector search, semantic and full-text indexing, hybrid search, and graph queries are built inside a production database engine? Join us as we extend PostgreSQL to natively support AI workloads, working alongside experienced engineers on systems that power intelligent applications at scale.
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. Most of this work lives inside PostgreSQL extensions and engine-level integrations, with close coupling to the Azure PostgreSQL service runtime. We are looking for a Software Engineer II who is eager to learn, contribute to core systems, and grow into a strong database and systems engineer.
This is an individual contributor role where you will work on meaningful production code, collaborate closely with senior engineers, and develop a deep understanding of PostgreSQL internals and AI-enabled database capabilities.
About the Team
We are a fast-moving, collaborative team focused on extending PostgreSQL to support AI workloads natively. Our work spans vector indexing, semantic and full-text query processing, hybrid search patterns, graph data models, and model-aware execution capabilities, all built directly on top of the PostgreSQL engine.
We operate at the intersection of database internals, distributed systems, and AI infrastructure. Our culture emphasizes learning, mentorship, technical rigor, and inclusive collaboration. We believe strong engineers are built through hands-on ownership, thoughtful feedback, and sustained investment in craftsmanship.
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
- Contribute to the design and implementation of AI-native capabilities in PostgreSQL, including vector indexing, semantic and full-text search operators, hybrid search patterns, and graph query features
- Implement and enhance PostgreSQL extensions and engine-level integrations under the guidance of senior engineers
- Write high-quality, well-tested code in C, C++, or Rust with a focus on performance, correctness, and maintainability
- Participate in technical design discussions and code reviews to learn PostgreSQL internals and systems design best practices
- Collaborate with engineers, product managers, and researchers to translate requirements into working systems
- Assist with performance analysis, debugging, and tuning of database features in development and production environments
- Learn and apply best practices for building reliable, observable, and operable systems in a cloud database service
- Stay curious about research and industry trends in databases, search systems, and AI-powered data platforms
- Embody our culture and values
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python
- Proven technical engineering capabilities, including experience working on backend systems, infrastructure, or performance-sensitive components
- Proficiency in at least one systems programming language such as C, C++, or Rust, or strong fundamentals with demonstrated ability to ramp up quickly
- Experience building, testing, and maintaining production quality software in a collaborative engineering environment
- Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and systems fundamentals
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
- Exposure to PostgreSQL or similar database systems, including extensions, indexing, query execution, or internals focused coursework or projects
- Interest in or early experience with search systems, including full-text search, vector search, or hybrid retrieval approaches
- Familiarity with performance debugging, profiling, or optimization in backend systems
- Academic, professional, or open-source experience with databases, search engines, or distributed systems
- Curiosity about AI-enabled data systems, embeddings, or retrieval-based application patterns
- Strong problem-solving skills and a collaborative, growth-oriented mindset
- Demonstrated commitment to learning, technical rigor, 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, read more about requesting accommodations.