Principal Software Engineer – Data Infrastructure | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Jobicy

Job Description

Principal Software Engineer, Data Infrastructure

About the Team

HubSpot’s Data Infrastructure team builds the shared data store platforms that power the company’s products and internal systems at scale. The team’s mission is to provide a unified data platform and deliver databases as a service in a way that makes it easy, performant, and reliable for engineers across HubSpot to build on top of it.

This team owns and evolves some of the most critical foundational systems inside HubSpot, including HBase, Kafka, Elasticsearch, MySQL/Vitess, Hadoop, Iceberg, and Qdrant, along with the platform capabilities, abstractions, and workflows that make those systems usable by product teams.

The scope spans big data, SQL and storage infrastructure, batch processing, stream processing, and search. This is not a team focused on simply administering existing systems. It is an engineering organization responsible for shaping how HubSpot builds on top of its data stores over the long term.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Principal Software Engineer to help shape the technical future of Data Infrastructure at HubSpot.

This is a deeply hands-on role for a builder who wants to own the architecture and evolution of the foundational data systems behind HubSpot’s products. As a Principal Engineer, you will help define how our data stores should scale, how developers should interact with them, and what platform patterns we should create so teams across HubSpot can build faster on top of reliable, high-leverage infrastructure.

At HubSpot, Principal Engineers are expected to stay close to the code, lead high-impact initiatives end-to-end, and influence technical direction well beyond a single team. This role is for someone who can move between storage engines, developer-facing platform design, and large-scale architectural bets while remaining a hands-on builder throughout.

Key Expectations

Own the future of HubSpot’s data stores

• Shape the technical direction for the data platforms that underpin HubSpot’s products, with a focus on the data stores themselves and the systems around them.
• Drive architectural decisions across storage, access patterns, scaling models, tenancy, performance, and developer ergonomics.
• Help define what the next generation of HubSpot’s database platform should look like, not just how to operate the current one.

Be a deeply hands-on, high-leverage builder

• Write production code regularly and lead complex initiatives from idea to rollout.
• Build internal frameworks, APIs, and platform capabilities that make HubSpot’s data stores easier to adopt, extend, and evolve.
• Turn ambiguous infrastructure problems into simple, scalable systems and clear technical direction.

Lead platform architecture across multiple domains

• Work across big data, SQL/Vitess, batch, stream processing, and search to establish consistent platform patterns where they matter and domain-specific depth where they do not.
• Define reusable abstractions for data storage, ingestion, processing, and access that reduce fragmentation across the engineering organization.
• Push for simplicity, clarity, and extensibility in systems that can easily become overly bespoke or operationally heavy.

Influence across the broader engineering org

• Partner with engineering and product leaders to align infrastructure direction with what HubSpot needs to build next.
• Work horizontally across teams to guide technical tradeoffs, unblock difficult decisions, and raise the architectural bar for platform work.
• Act as a multiplier through design reviews, technical mentoring, and principled decision-making on the most important systems in the space.

What You Bring

• Deep experience building and evolving large-scale distributed systems, especially storage systems, data infrastructure, or foundational backend platforms.
• Strong architectural instincts with a bias toward simplicity, consistency, clear boundaries, and long-term platform leverage.
• A track record of owning and delivering complex, cross-team technical initiatives with product-line or company-level impact.
• Comfort working across multiple layers of the stack, from storage engines and data flows to APIs, internal frameworks, and developer experience.
• A hands-on mindset. You lead by building, debugging, reviewing, and shipping, not by staying removed from the systems you influence.
• The ability to move into unfamiliar technical territory quickly, form strong opinions grounded in first principles, and help teams make better long-term decisions.

Why this role matters

HubSpot’s future depends on data platforms that are not only reliable, but also powerful building blocks for product innovation. The Principal Software Engineer in Data Infrastructure will help determine how those building blocks are designed, how they scale, and how engineers across HubSpot use them to create the next generation of our products.

Expert Career Tips for Principal Software Engineer – Data Infrastructure Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Principal Software Engineer – Data Infrastructure, you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Principal Software Engineer – Data Infrastructure requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Global and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Global, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Principal Software Engineer – Data Infrastructure position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.