Sr. Staff Software Engineer - Unity Catalog Data Governance

RDQ126R47

At Databricks, we are passionate about enabling data teams to solve the world's toughest problems — from making the next mode of transportation a reality to accelerating the development of medical breakthroughs. We do this by building and running the world's best data and AI infrastructure platform so our customers can use deep data insights to improve their business.

Databricks Unity Catalog is the industry’s only unified and open governance solution for data and AI, built into the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform. It enables data scientists, analysts, and engineers to securely discover, access, and collaborate on trusted data and AI assets across platforms. Unity Catalog enhances productivity through AI-powered governance, simplifying compliance while maximizing interoperability.

We are seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer to lead the technical direction and development of Unity Catalog’s enterprise-grade governance capabilities. In this role, you will drive the roadmap and execution of critical features that empower organizations to govern access to their Lakehouse assets at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Lead the design and delivery of high-impact projects, setting standards for security, usability, performance, and scalability. Mentor senior engineers and elevate development and operational best practices across the organization.
• Product Ownership: Take full ownership of the Unity Catalog Governance product, driving it from initial concept to robust, scalable solutions with measurable business impact.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Collaborate with product and infrastructure teams to align technical strategy and execution, ensuring seamless integration and adoption of governance features.
• Operational Excellence: Champion the development of high-quality, reliable, and easy-to-operate software. Drive operational processes that deliver a seamless customer experience that is indistinguishable from perfect.

What We Look For

• 15+ years of industry experience building and operating large-scale distributed systems.
• Proven track record of driving initiatives focused on customer satisfaction and incremental delivery.
• Deep computer science expertise (algorithms, data structures) with real-world application.
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• BS in Computer Science or related fields (MS/PhD preferred)
• (Preferred) Experience in data governance, security, privacy, identity management, authentication, or access control.

Why Join Us?

• Influence the direction of industry-leading data and AI governance solutions.
• Work with world-class engineers and thought leaders in a collaborative, h