Data API Engineer

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, which manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Data API Engineer based in South Africa.

We are seeking a skilled software engineer to help enhance the performance, reliability, and capabilities of a PostgreSQL-powered Data API used by developers worldwide. In this role, you will contribute to the development of PostgREST, working on database connectivity, query performance, new features, and a roadmap toward a more scalable, multitenant API. You will investigate complex technical issues, eliminate performance bottlenecks, and strengthen observability to improve service reliability.

Working closely with cross-functional engineering teams, you will help resolve integration challenges and deliver a seamless developer experience. This opportunity is ideal for an engineer with strong Haskell expertise, a passion for PostgreSQL, and a commitment to open-source software. You will join a globally distributed, asynchronous team that values technical ownership, open collaboration, and building dependable developer tools at scale.

• Improve database connectivity: Work on the PostgreSQL driver used by PostgREST, built on Hasql, identifying bottlenecks and implementing optimizations to improve performance and efficiency.

• Develop Data API capabilities: Contribute to PostgREST development by implementing new features, resolving bugs, and advancing the platform toward a scalable, multitenant Data API.

• Enhance reliability and performance: Investigate service issues, diagnose root causes, and implement improvements that strengthen API stability, responsiveness, and overall performance.

• Strengthen observability: Improve monitoring and diagnostic capabilities to make it easier to identify, investigate, and resolve operational issues.

• Handle technical incidents: Resolve incidents and escalated support requests, ensuring technical problems are addressed effectively and recurring issues are reduced.

• Collaborate across engineering teams: Work with other teams to troubleshoot and resolve integration issues involving the broader platform and its services.

• Support developers and users: Help users overcome technical challenges by investigating reported problems and communicating solutions clearly to people with varying levels of technical expertise.

• Contribute to open source: Participate in the development and improvement of open-source software, collaborating with the community to strengthen shared tools and infrastructure.

• Drive continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to improve code quality, system architecture, debugging workflows, and the overall developer experience.

• At least 3 years of professional experience with Haskell
  , with strong proficiency in the language and its practical application to software development.

• Experience using the C programming language and the ability to work with systems-level code when needed.

• Strong knowledge of SQL and PostgreSQL
  , including experience writing and working with PL/pgSQL scripts.

• Experience debugging applications in Linux environments
  , with the ability to investigate complex technical problems and identify root causes.

• A strong track record of contributing to open-source projects; experience maintaining an open-source project is an advantage.

• Experience providing technical support to users with different levels of technical knowledge, including diagnosing issues and explaining solutions clearly.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate performance bottlenecks and improve the reliability of complex systems.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional engineering teams and contribute to shared technical objectives.

• A proactive, ownership-oriented mindset, with the ability to work independently and manage tasks in an asynchronous environment.

• Enthusiasm for open-source development, developer tooling, and building reliable, high-performance APIs.

• Fully remote work: Work remotely from Poland, with a globally distributed team and no requirement to work from a central office.

• Coworking support: Access to a WeWork membership or coworking allowance to help create a productive work environment.

• Equity ownership: Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP), giving team members the opportunity to share in the company's long‑term growth.

• Technology allowance: Budget for essential work equipment, including a laptop, monitor, headphones, or other tools that support…