Software Developer – Data Services

SAS•Cary, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Customer Intelligence R&D Data Engineering team builds cloud-native backend services and platform capabilities that support CI360. We design systems that handle high-volume event data, real-time processing, and service orchestration across multiple tenants and value streams. This is a backend engineering role operating at scale—not a traditional data pipeline role. Our platform is evolving toward: Cloud-first, containerized architectures Event-driven, distributed backend systems Deep integration of AI capabilities into core services and workflows

Requirements

5+ years of experience building backend or distributed systems in cloud environments
Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field (or equivalent experience)
Strong proficiency in Java, with experience delivering production services
Hands-on experience with cloud-native architectures (AWS or similar), including:
Microservices or service-oriented architecture
Containerized deployments (Docker, Kubernetes, ECS/EKS)
Managed cloud services (Lambda, SQS, SNS, DynamoDB, etc.)
Experience with Python for cloud automation, AI integration, or tooling
Exposure to streaming architectures (Kafka, Kinesis, Flink)
Strong SQL and relational database expertise (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, AWS RDS), with experience designing efficient, scalable data access layers and optimizing performance in production systems.
Demonstrated ability to design scalable, resilient, cloud-deployed systems
Equivalent combination of related education, training and experience may be considered in place of the above qualifications.

Nice To Haves

Innovation – You must be creative and devise unique solutions to complex problems that provide a competitive advantage for our products.
Technology Savvy – You must keep apprised of emerging industry trends and technology to consistently recommend modern approaches to our challenges.
Complexity – Work on problems of diverse scope where analysis of data requires evaluation of identifiable factors. Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
Supervision - Works independently; receives minimal guidance on day-to-day work and new projects or assignments.
Experience working with or designing systems using open table formats, such as:
Apache Iceberg
Delta Lake or Apache Hudi
Familiarity with AI/ML or Generative AI integration into backend systems
Strong understanding of cloud observability and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Design and build cloud-native backend systems that are foundational to the platform:
Architect and implement scalable, cloud-native backend services (Java-based) deployed on AWS
Design for resilience, elasticity, and multi-tenant scale using modern cloud patterns
Build and evolve distributed systems leveraging services such as EKS, Lambda, Step Functions, SQS, SNS, DynamoDB, and OpenSearch
Develop event-driven architectures that support real-time data processing and orchestration
Own the design of service interfaces, APIs, and backend abstractions that other teams depend on
Work with open table formats (e.g., Apache Iceberg) to enable:
Reliable, ACID-compliant data access across distributed systems
Scalable, cloud-native analytical and operational workloads
Seamless interoperability between backend services, data pipelines, and AI workloads
Apply Generative AI to backend engineering challenges, such as:
Intelligent workflow orchestration
Automated decisioning and routing
AI-assisted data transformation and service optimization
Enhance cloud-native observability—metrics, logging, tracing, and alerting—to ensure production readiness and operational excellence
Be encouraged to participate in open-source projects on behalf of SAS.
Ensure all applicable security policies and processes are followed to support the organization’s secure software development goals.
Embrace curiosity, passion, authenticity and accountability. These are our values and influence everything we do.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental and vision plans.
Medical plan options include:
PPO with low annual deductible and copays.
HDHP combined with a health savings account with a contribution from SAS (no access to on-site health care center).
Onsite Health Care Center (HQ) that’s free to employees and family members enrolled in the PPO plan. There’s a pharmacy too! Not local to HQ? The pharmacy will ship prescriptions for no additional charge!
An industry-leading 401k plan.
Tuition Assistance Program and programs and resources to support your development
Generous time away including vacation time, a variety of paid holidays, and our much-loved U.S. Winter Wellness Break between December 25 and January 1.
Volunteer Time Off, parental leave and unlimited paid sick days.
Generous childcare benefits for all full-time employees.