Software Engineer, New Grad, Query Engines

About the Role

Palantir builds software for data-driven decisions. This role is within a software engineering team focused on data processing infrastructure for Palantir Foundry, supporting applications for healthcare, supply chain, and more. You will work on how computations are represented, query plans are optimized, operators execute, and data is read/written efficiently. The team builds on and extends Apache Spark, Apache DataFusion, and Apache Iceberg.

Key Responsibilities

• Work deep inside systems related to computation representation, query plan optimization, operator execution, and efficient data I/O.
• Contribute to building and extending Apache Spark, Apache DataFusion, and Apache Iceberg.
• See work through design, code review, testing, and release, focusing on correctness, compatibility, and predictable performance.
• Write new planning rules, add capabilities to native execution engines, or improve the performance of large table scans.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Technologies:
• Java, Scala, Rust, Python
• Apache Spark, Apache DataFusion, Apache Comet, Velox (for data processing and query execution)
• Apache Iceberg (for table management)
• Apache Arrow, Apache Parquet (for in-memory data processing and columnar storage)
• Gradle, Cargo (for builds)
• GitHub (for collaboration)
• Note: Prior experience with these technologies is not required; learning is expected.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Software Engineering, Physics, or a similar field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proficiency in at least one language such as Java, Rust, Scala, C++, or C.
• Strong foundations in algorithms, data structures, and concurrency.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Coursework or projects in databases, compilers, operating systems, or distributed systems.
• Contributions to open-source projects.
• What We Value:
• Curiosity about how data systems work.
• A high bar for correctness and a willingness to understand system behavior.
• Comfort working across languages, services, and layers of the stack.
• A practical approach to performance, grounded in measurement.
• Eagerness to learn, ask questions, and incorporate feedback.
• Interest in applying deep systems engineering to real-world problems.

Salary

• Estimated salary range: $145,000 - $155,000/year.
• Total compensation may include Restricted Stock units, sign-on bonus, and other incentives.
• Note: Final compensation is based on relevant qualifications, work experience, skills, and other factors. This estimate excludes sign-on bonus, benefits value, and long-term incentives.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Voluntary and basic life insurance.
• AD&D and disability insurance.
• Commuter benefits.
• Relocation assistance.
• Flexible paid time off ("Take what you need").
• 2 weeks paid time off at year-end (subject to team/business needs).
• 10 paid holidays.
• Supportive leave of absence program (military service, medical events).
• Paid leave for new parents and subsidized back-up childcare.
• Fertility and family building benefits (adoption, surrogacy, preservation).
• Stipend for new child expenses.
• 401k plan.

Life at Palantir

• Focus on celebrating individual strengths, skills, and interests for career growth.
• Emphasis on community needs to optimize growth opportunities.
• Promoting health and well-being.
• Encourages in-person work for connectivity and innovation, with hybrid options available for many teams.
• Remote work is available on an exceptional basis for a few roles.