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GitLabBackend Engineer, Knowledge Graph (Rust)
GitLab operates an intelligent orchestration platform for DevSecOps, helping organizations boost developer efficiency, streamline operations, and minimize security and compliance risks. More than 50 million registered…
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About This Role
GitLab operates an intelligent orchestration platform for DevSecOps, helping organizations boost developer efficiency, streamline operations, and minimize security and compliance risks. More than 50 million registered users and over half of the Fortune 100 rely on GitLab to deliver secure software rapidly. The organization champions an AI-forward culture where team members leverage AI daily as a core productivity multiplier. As an Intermediate Backend Engineer within the GitLab Orbit team, the…
Job Description
GitLab operates an intelligent orchestration platform for DevSecOps, helping organizations boost developer efficiency, streamline operations, and minimize security and compliance risks. More than 50 million registered users and over half of the Fortune 100 rely on GitLab to deliver secure software rapidly. The organization champions an AI-forward culture where team members leverage AI daily as a core productivity multiplier.
As an Intermediate Backend Engineer within the GitLab Orbit team, the selected professional will help build and operate a graph data service powering GitLab Duo agents, analytics, and architecture features across GitLab.com, Dedicated, and Self-Managed environments. Working primarily with Rust, the engineering group emphasizes rigorous thinking about data reliability, clear ownership, and thoughtful system design. The Knowledge Graph service constructs a property graph from code and software development lifecycle data using ClickHouse, NATS JetStream, and the Data Insights Platform, providing secure graph queries and Model Context Protocol tools for AI agents and product features.
During the first year, the engineer will take ownership of specific components such as query paths or the software development lifecycle indexing pipeline, reduce single points of failure, and assist in shipping maintainable analytical services. Candidates will collaborate asynchronously across product, data, infrastructure, security, and AI teams, utilize AI-assisted development tools responsibly, and engage in code reviews and knowledge sharing. The position offers an opportunity to work in a low-process, high-ownership setting across time zones.
Responsibilities
- Build and iterate on backend features for the Rust-based Knowledge Graph service under the guidance of senior and staff engineers
- Maintain integrations linking the Knowledge Graph with GitLab Rails, the Data Insights Platform, and the GitLab Duo Agent Platform
- Contribute to system design discussions by proposing options and documenting decisions focused on analytical graph workload reliability and scalability
- Enhance operational maturity by adding metrics, logging, runbooks, alerts, and participating in on-call rotations
- Collaborate asynchronously with cross-functional counterparts across product, data, infrastructure, security, and AI
- Apply AI-assisted development workflows responsibly and share successful practices with colleagues
- Participate in code reviews, knowledge-sharing sessions, and pair programming
- Contribute across the stack with occasional Ruby work for Rails integration and authorization, or minor frontend changes for features like the Software Architecture Map UI
Requirements
- Professional background in building and supporting backend systems in production environments
- Proficiency in at least one modern backend language with a strong interest in Rust or prior Rust experience
- System design fundamentals suitable for the level, including the ability to reason about trade-offs and align with architectural decisions
- Ability to work in a low-process, high-ownership setting with asynchronous communication skills across time zones
Qualifications
- Exposure to distributed data or analytics systems such as OLAP databases, messaging tools like Kafka or NATS, or change data capture pipelines
- Interest in graph data modeling and query patterns involving property graphs and multi-step traversals
- Practical experience or strong interest in utilizing AI tools during daily development workflows
Core Skills
Benefits
- Flexible paid time off
- Team member resource groups
- Equity compensation and employee stock purchase plan
- Growth and development fund
- Parental leave
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
What is the salary range for this role?
The base salary range for United States residents is USD 115,200 to 162,000 per year, determined by factors such as interviews, education, experience, market data, and geographic location.
What programming languages are used in this position?
The role primarily utilizes Rust for the Knowledge Graph service, with occasional work in Ruby for Rails integration and authorization, as well as TypeScript or Vue for frontend UI plumbing.
What team does this role belong to?
This position sits on the GitLab Orbit team within the Data Engineering organization.
Are there specific location requirements for applicants?
The posting states that GitLab hires team members globally and roles are remote, though certain positions may carry specific location-based eligibility requirements that the talent acquisition team can clarify.
Sample Interview Questions
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