Hightouch, a Y Combinator-backed startup (S19), is seeking a Distributed Systems Engineer to work on their Reverse ETL (extract, transform, load) platform. They're building a system to sync data from data warehouses to SaaS tools, addressing the challenges of scale and real-time data synchronization. The ideal candidate will have experience with distributed systems, databases, and cloud infrastructure, and be comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment. Hightouch offers a remote-first work culture with competitive compensation and benefits.
Hightouch, a company that successfully completed the Y Combinator Summer 2019 program, is actively seeking a Distributed Systems Engineer to join their expanding team. This full-time, remote position offers the flexibility to work from anywhere, contributing to the development of Hightouch's core platform, a data synchronization solution known as Reverse ETL (Extract, Transform, Load). This technology empowers businesses to effectively leverage their data warehouse as a centralized source of truth, enabling seamless data flow to various downstream operational tools used across marketing, sales, and customer support departments.
The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in distributed systems principles and exhibits a proven ability to design, implement, and maintain scalable and robust systems. Experience with handling large datasets and addressing performance optimization challenges is crucial for success in this role. Familiarity with the intricacies of data warehousing and ETL processes would be highly beneficial. Specifically, the posting highlights the importance of experience with Apache Kafka and Kubernetes, suggesting that these technologies play a significant role within the Hightouch infrastructure.
The Distributed Systems Engineer will play a pivotal role in enhancing Hightouch's platform, focusing on scalability and performance improvements. They will contribute directly to the ongoing development and maintenance of the core Reverse ETL pipeline, ensuring the reliable and efficient synchronization of data between the warehouse and downstream applications. This work directly impacts Hightouch's ability to empower their clients to fully leverage their data for operational excellence. The company emphasizes a culture of learning and growth, suggesting that the selected candidate will have opportunities to expand their skills and knowledge within a dynamic and innovative environment. While the specific programming languages and tools used are not explicitly mentioned in the posting, the context implies a need for proficiency in software development practices and relevant technologies related to distributed systems engineering.
Summary of Comments ( 0 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42920292
The Hacker News comments on the Hightouch (YC S19) job posting are sparse and mostly pertain to the interview process. One commenter asks about the technical interview process and expresses concern about "LeetCode-style" questions. Another shares their negative experience interviewing with Hightouch, citing a focus on system design questions they felt were irrelevant for a mid-level engineer role and a lack of feedback. A third commenter briefly mentions enjoying working at Hightouch. Overall, the comments offer limited insight beyond a few individual experiences with the company's interview process.
The Hacker News post titled "Hightouch (YC S19) Is Hiring a Distributed Systems Engineer" has a modest number of comments, mostly focusing on the nature of the role and the company itself. No particularly groundbreaking or controversial discussions emerge.
Several commenters inquire about the specific technologies and challenges involved in the distributed systems role at Hightouch. One user asks about the scale of data and the specific problems being tackled, expressing a desire to understand the intricacies beyond the generic "distributed systems" label. This commenter is looking for more concrete information to assess if the role aligns with their interests and expertise. Another user questions the necessity of a distributed systems engineer for a reverse ETL task, implying that such a role might be overkill for the described function. This prompts a response from a purported Hightouch employee clarifying that the role involves more than just reverse ETL, encompassing tasks like managing large-scale data synchronization and ensuring data consistency across various platforms. This exchange highlights a slight ambiguity in the initial job posting and provides valuable clarification for potential applicants.
Further discussion revolves around the company's remote work policies and overall experience. One commenter asks about the company's stance on remote work, to which a Hightouch representative replies, confirming their fully distributed status and outlining their approach to remote work culture. Another commenter shares a positive experience working with Hightouch as a customer, praising their responsiveness and the quality of their product. This comment adds a layer of social proof and offers a glimpse into the company culture from an external perspective.
Finally, a few comments touch upon the broader trends in the data engineering space, with one commenter mentioning the increasing demand for reverse ETL solutions and Hightouch's position within this growing market. This adds context to the job posting, positioning it within the larger industry landscape.
Overall, the comments provide valuable insights into the specific role, the company culture, and the broader market context, addressing key questions that potential applicants and interested observers might have. While no single comment is particularly compelling in isolation, the collective discussion paints a more detailed picture than the original job posting alone.