Senior Software Developer - V-Force

Job Summary

VAST Data is seeking an experienced Senior Software Developer to join our elite V-Force team, a specialized engineering squad embedded within R&D. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the core data platform powering the AI revolution, working with massive datasets across data center, edge, and cloud environments. As a member of V-Force, you will not be confined to a support role; instead, you will engage in hands-on development, solving the most complex and high-impact problems in modern data infrastructure. You will collaborate with world-class engineers, product managers, and field teams to debug production issues, design robust solutions, and drive customer success. This role is ideal for a developer who thrives on deep technical challenges, possesses strong systems programming skills, and desires direct visibility into customer impact. Join us at the forefront of high-performance, scalable data systems and help define the future of the AI data platform.

Key Responsibilities

• Debug complex issues in real-world production environments, analyzing system behavior and identifying root causes.
• Design and develop robust code solutions and enhancements to improve platform performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, product, and field teams to implement customer feature requests, support proof-of-concept (POC) initiatives, and enable sales efforts.
• Tackle real-time performance challenges in large-scale distributed systems, optimizing for throughput and low latency.
• Contribute directly to the evolution of VAST's file system and storage stack, ensuring high availability and data integrity.
• Work with networking protocols and OS-level primitives to fine-tune system interactions and resolve bottlenecks.
• Participate in code reviews, architectural discussions, and knowledge sharing to uplift team capabilities.
• Develop tools and scripts to automate diagnostics, performance testing, and system validation.
• Provide technical guidance to support teams on complex escalations, bridging the gap between development and operations.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in storage systems, AI infrastructure, and cloud computing to inform future enhancements.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Proven experience as a software developer with a strong portfolio of C, C+, or Python development projects.
• Solid systems programming experience, including the ability to work close to the OS/kernel level.
• In-depth understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, OSI layers, and socket programming.
• Familiarity with version control systems, particularly Git, and collaborative development workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to debug complex issues in production environments and design effective solutions.
• Experience or strong interest in storage systems, file systems, or block-level storage is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a knack for root-cause analysis and performance tuning.
• Strong communication skills to articulate technical concepts to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently in a remote-first environment while maintaining high productivity and accountability.

Skills Inventory

• Essential Skills: C programming, C+ programming, Python scripting, systems programming, OS internals, networking (TCP/IP, OSI), Git, debugging, problem-solving, performance analysis.
• Preferred Skills: Storage systems knowledge (file systems, block storage), distributed systems architecture, kernel development, experience with large-scale data platforms, familiarity with AI infrastructure, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP), shell scripting, and experience with telemetry or monitoring tools.

Salary & Compensation Estimation

For this remote senior-level role, the estimated annual base salary ranges from $140,000 to $200,000 USD, depending on experience and location. VAST Data typically offers competitive compensation packages that may include performance bonuses, stock options, and comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development allowances. In high-cost-of-living areas, the base salary may be at the higher end of the range. Given the company's rapid growth and strategic importance of the V-Force team, total compensation can be significantly higher with equity appreciation.