Senior Platform Engineer - Database Systems at Quizlet

San Francisco, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

EdTech, TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

5+ years of experience in database engineering or platform infrastructure
Hands-on experience managing MySQL (PlanetScale preferred), Cloud Spanner, or BigQuery in production
Strong background in performance tuning, query optimization, and high-availability design
Programming proficiency in Go or Python for automation and tooling
Familiarity with Kubernetes (GKE) and Terraform (IaC)
Solid understanding of caching systems like Redis or Memcached
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate across teams

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and maintain large-scale database systems across Cloud Spanner, PlanetScale MySQL, and BigQuery
Improve system reliability and performance through automation, observability, and query optimization
Collaborate with product and infrastructure teams to ensure database architecture supports scalability and uptime targets
Build tooling and monitoring dashboards in Datadog to detect, alert, and remediate performance issues
Contribute to platform standards for caching, indexing, and connection management
Participate in on-call rotations and drive post-incident improvements

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Cloud SpannerPlanetScale MySQLBigQueryDatadogquery optimizationdatabase automationobservabilitycachingindexingconnection management

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for this Senior Platform Engineer role?

The starting base salary is $192,500 – $231,600, depending on location and experience, with total compensation being market competitive including company stock options.

Is this position remote or onsite?

This is an onsite position in the San Francisco office, requiring a minimum of three days per week onsite: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

What skills and experience are required for this role?

Candidates need 5+ years in database engineering or platform infrastructure, hands-on experience with MySQL (PlanetScale preferred), Cloud Spanner, or BigQuery, strong performance tuning and query optimization skills, proficiency in Go or Python, and familiarity with Kubernetes (GKE), Terraform, and caching systems like Redis or Memcached.

What is the work arrangement or on-call expectation?

The role involves participating in on-call rotations and driving post-incident improvements.

What makes a strong candidate for this position?

A strong candidate brings 5+ years of database engineering experience, hands-on production expertise with systems like MySQL, Cloud Spanner, or BigQuery, skills in performance tuning and automation using Go or Python, plus familiarity with Kubernetes, Terraform, and caching.

Quizlet

Develops educational tools for students and teachers

About Quizlet

Quizlet develops educational tools designed to inspire and empower students and teachers. It serves over 60 million active users each month and is recognized as one of the top education apps available on iOS and Android. Quizlet's products include various learning tools that help users study and retain information effectively. The platform offers both free and premium subscription services, allowing users to access additional features and resources. Unlike many competitors, Quizlet has a large user base and a strong presence in the education technology market, which enhances its community and resource sharing. The company's goal is to create a significant global impact in education by providing accessible and effective learning solutions.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2005Year Founded

$60.3MTotal Funding

SERIES_CCompany Stage

Consumer Software, EducationIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Shared financial success: Competitive salaries, stock options and a 401k that makes saving for retirement easy.

Competitive healthcare: Comprehensive health, dental, vision and disability plans for you and your family.

PTO and family benefits: Everyone gets four weeks of PTO. Our generous family leave plan has you covered when you welcome a new, little learner into your family.

Professional development: Learning never stops. Get reimbursed each year for professional development, and learn from the best with regular tech talks.

A welcoming workplace: Enjoy free lunch and dinner with great company. Benefit from adjustable desks and employee lounges while taking in amazing views of the Bay.

Commuter benefits: We don’t have a school bus, but we'll help cover your public transportation and parking. If you decide to work late, your ride home is on us as well.

Risks

Increased competition from AI-driven platforms like Khan Academy and Duolingo.

Recent U.S. outage may decrease user trust and retention.

New CEO's strategic shifts could disrupt operations or alienate existing users.

Differentiation

Quizlet offers AI-powered features like Magic Notes and Memory Score for personalized learning.

The platform's gamification strategy includes features like Quizlet Challenge and Quizlet Learn.

Quizlet's Q-Chat beta feature aligns with the trend of conversational AI in education.

Upsides

Quizlet's new CEO, Beidler, may drive fresh strategic direction and innovation.

Intentional slowing of AI adoption focuses on quality, ensuring sustainable long-term growth.

AI-powered features enhance user engagement, potentially increasing retention and user base.

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