SigNoz, a Y Combinator-backed company, is hiring backend engineers to contribute to their open-source application performance monitoring (APM) and observability platform. They aim to build an open-source alternative to Datadog, providing a unified platform for metrics, traces, and logs. The ideal candidate is proficient in Go and possesses experience with distributed systems, databases, and cloud-native technologies like Kubernetes.
SigNoz, a company that participated in Y Combinator's Winter 2021 cohort, is actively seeking back-end engineers to contribute to the development of their open-source application performance monitoring (APM) and observability platform. They aim to build a compelling open-source alternative to Datadog, a popular proprietary observability platform. The company emphasizes the opportunity for engineers to work on a modern technology stack, specifically mentioning ClickHouse, a high-performance column-oriented database management system, and OpenTelemetry, a collection of APIs, SDKs, tooling, and specifications around creating and managing telemetry data (logs, metrics, and traces).
This role presents a chance to delve into the complexities of distributed systems and contribute to a project with a rapidly growing open-source community. The ideal candidate will be passionate about building high-quality, scalable, and performant back-end systems. They will be involved in designing, developing, and maintaining core components of the SigNoz platform, directly impacting the user experience and contributing to the growth and adoption of the open-source project. This position offers the opportunity to work on a project with significant real-world impact, helping developers and organizations gain deeper insights into the performance and behavior of their applications. The advertisement highlights the rewarding nature of contributing to open source and the potential to shape the future of observability tooling. While specific requirements are not explicitly stated in the post, the emphasis on a modern technology stack and the nature of the project suggests a preference for candidates with experience in back-end development, distributed systems, and potentially database technologies.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42828294
HN commenters are largely skeptical of SigNoz's claim to be building an "open-source Datadog." Several point out that open-source observability tools already exist and question the need for another. Some criticize the post's focus on hiring rather than discussing the technical challenges of building such a tool. Others question the viability of the open-source business model, particularly in a crowded market. A few commenters express interest in the project, but the overall sentiment is one of cautious skepticism.
The Hacker News post discussing SigNoz's hiring of backend engineers generated several comments, primarily focusing on the challenges and nuances of building an open-source alternative to Datadog.
One commenter questioned the viability of directly competing with Datadog, highlighting the significant network effects and established user base Datadog enjoys. They argued that focusing on a niche or underserved area within the observability space might be a more successful approach. Another commenter echoed this sentiment, suggesting that specializing in a specific vertical, like Kubernetes monitoring, could differentiate SigNoz from the established players.
Several comments centered on the complexities of open-source monetization. One user pointed out the difficulty of converting open-source users into paying customers, especially in the monitoring and observability market. They suggested focusing on enterprise features and support as a potential revenue stream. Another commenter questioned the specific open-source licensing model SigNoz employs, and how it impacts the ability for other companies to utilize and potentially compete with their product.
Some commenters expressed interest in the technical details of SigNoz, inquiring about the specific technologies used and the architecture of the platform. One comment asked about the choice of ClickHouse as the underlying database and its performance characteristics. Another commenter expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of relying solely on open-source components, suggesting that certain proprietary technologies might be necessary for optimal performance and scalability.
There was also discussion regarding the challenges of scaling an open-source project and building a community around it. One commenter stressed the importance of clear documentation and active community engagement to attract contributors and users. Another commenter suggested that offering paid support and consulting services could be a way to sustain the project and incentivize contributions.
Finally, a few comments touched upon the competitive landscape of the observability market, mentioning other open-source and commercial alternatives to Datadog. One commenter specifically mentioned Prometheus and Grafana as popular open-source options, and questioned how SigNoz differentiates itself from these existing tools. Another user highlighted the growing demand for observability solutions and the opportunity for new players to enter the market.