Oracle AI Database is building the industry’s first truly unified Data and AI Engine, where AI is embedded directly into the database kernel rather than treated as an external application layer. The team is reimagining how enterprise AI systems are built by combining AI-powered retrieval, distributed database internals, vector search, agentic AI, and large-scale storage into a single transactional platform. The organization works at the intersection of high-performance algorithms, distributed systems, database kernel engineering, and AI infrastructure. Engineers on this team solve deep systems problems involving vector indexing, semantic retrieval, query optimization, concurrency, storage orchestration, and AI-native execution frameworks. The work directly shapes Oracle’s next-generation AI-native data platform powering enterprise-scale intelligence. This is a highly technical engineering environment focused on building foundational technology, scalable systems, and long-term platform Job Summary We are seeking a highly skilled Backend/Distributed Systems Engineer to help build Oracle’s next-generation AI-native database platform. This role combines backend engineering, distributed systems development, database infrastructure, and AI platform capabilities to create scalable, high-performance systems powering enterprise AI workloads. The ideal candidate brings strong systems engineering fundamentals, hands-on backend development experience in Java or C++, and a passion for solving complex infrastructure and performance challenges across AI, search, storage, and distributed computing domains. Qualifications & Skills Mandatory - Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field. - 5+ years of experience designing and building backend services or infrastructure systems. - Strong programming skills in Java or C++. - Experience building scalable APIs and production-grade backend systems. - Foundational understanding of distributed systems concepts including scalability, replication, consistency, and reliability. - Knowledge of database systems concepts such as storage engines, indexing, query execution, or performance optimization. - Understanding of search and retrieval concepts including ranking, semantic retrieval, graph search, or vector search. - Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to analyze system-level trade-offs involving performance, scalability, and reliability. Good-to-Have - Experience with vector databases, embeddings, RAG systems, or AI/ML infrastructure. - Exposure to database kernel engineering or low-level systems programming. - Experience working on cloud infrastructure, platform engineering, or developer platforms. - Familiarity with distributed storage systems or large-scale data processing frameworks. - Knowledge of AI-native infrastructure or agentic AI systems. - Experience optimizing high-throughput, low-latency systems at scale. Self-Assessment Questions - Do I have hands-on experience building scalable backend systems or distributed services using Java or C++? - Have I worked on infrastructure challenges involving scalability, reliability, performance optimization, or distributed architectures? - Am I comfortable working with database internals, indexing systems, retrieval systems, or storage-related engineering concepts? - Have I contributed to production-quality APIs, platform services, or large-scale backend systems? - Am I interested in solving low-level systems engineering problems related to AI infrastructure and distributed computing? ### Responsibilities ## Key Responsibilities - Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend services and APIs using Java or C++. - Contribute to core database infrastructure including storage engines, indexing systems, query optimization, and data formats. - Build and improve advanced retrieval capabilities including vector search, semantic retrieval, ranking systems, and graph search. - Develop distributed system components with a focus on scalability, replication, consistency, reliability, and fault tolerance. - Support AI infrastructure initiatives including embeddings, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), AI agents, and large-scale data pipelines. - Optimize system performance, throughput, latency, and operational reliability through benchmarking, profiling, and systems tuning. - Collaborate cross-functionally with product managers and engineering stakeholders to translate platform requirements into scalable technical solutions. - Help shape developer platform capabilities, backend-as-a-service offerings, and cloud-native infrastructure features. ### Qualifications Career Level - IC4 ### About the Company Only Oracle brings together the data, infrastructure, applications, and expertise to power everything from industry innovations to life-saving care. And with AI embedded across our products and services, we help customers turn that promise into a better future for all. Discover your potential at a company leading the way in AI and cloud solutions that impact billions of lives. True innovation starts when everyone is empowered to contribute. That’s why we’re committed to growing a workforce that promotes opportunities for all with competitive benefits that support our people with flexible medical, life insurance, and retirement options. We also encourage employees to give back to their communities through our volunteer programs. We’re committed to including people with disabilities at all stages of the employment process. If you require accessibility assistance or accommodation for a disability at any point, let us know by emailing accommodation-request_mb@oracle.com or by calling 1-888-404-2494 in the United States. Oracle is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans’ status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Oracle will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to applicable law.