Software Development Engineer - Data Cloud

Workday • Pleasanton, CA

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

As part of Workday’s Data Platform Engineering organization, the Software Development Engineer will build and enhance Workday’s Data Cloud. The role focuses on data management and distributed data processing frameworks and algorithms, with attention to performance, scalability, and reliability. The engineer will build infrastructure for high-performance processing of large data volumes while keeping the product simple and easy to use. The role also involves developing ideas, explaining their value to partners, and turning them into high-quality implementations that help customers succeed.

The Data Cloud organization is building a platform for agents by leveraging Workday’s business context, trusted data, and identity guardrails to support AI and enterprise agentic workflows. Workday describes its work environment as Flex Work: teams spend at least 50% of each quarter in an office or in the field with customers, prospects, and partners, with flexible scheduling around business, team, and personal needs.

Requirements

• At least 4 years of software development experience in an object-oriented or functional language.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a relevant field, or a master’s degree in Computer Science or a relevant field.
• Passion for software development and use of well-defined abstractions.
• Interest in developing data management and distributed data processing systems and algorithms.
• Ability to learn quickly and explore new technical areas, languages, and frameworks.
• Good grasp of SQL.
• Background in data warehousing, database system internals, and/or distributed systems.
• Experience with distributed data processing engines or data management systems.
• Experience with one or more of Kubernetes, Apache Spark and Spark SQL internals, Apache Iceberg and zero-copy architectures, Apache Polaris, or Trino.
• Ability to work as part of an engineering team and clearly communicate the value of solutions to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build and enhance Workday’s Data Cloud.
• Build infrastructure for high-performance processing of large volumes of data.
• Develop high-quality implementations of ideas that support customer success.
• Contribute to the performance, scalability, and reliability of data management and distributed data processing systems and algorithms.
• Articulate the value of technical solutions to partners and stakeholders.

Benefits

• The role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus.
• Annual refresh stock grants may be part of the total compensation package.
• Flexible work arrangements, including the ability to create a schedule suited to business, team, and personal needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level