datadotorg logo

Software Engineer, Wikidata Platform

datadotorg

RemoteRemoteFull-time$95–149K/yrPosted 1w agoVerified open 5 days ago

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

At a glance

Compensation
$95–149K/yr
Location
RemoteRemote
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Job overview

datadotorg is hiring a Software Engineer, Wikidata Platform. The Wikimedia Foundation seeks a Software Engineer to support the Wikidata Platform, designing, building, and maintaining backend systems and APIs for the query infrastructure while improving reliability, scalability, and observability of services.

Key focus areas include Help design, build, and maintain backend systems and APIs that power Wikidata’s query infrastructure, Improve reliability, observability, and automation of the Wikidata Query Service and data pipelines, and Integrate Wikidata Platform services with other systems and data sources across Wikimedia.

Important skills include Scalability, Reliability, Data Processing, Graph Database, Data Pipeline, and Collaboration.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

ScalabilityReliabilityData ProcessingGraph DatabaseData PipelineCollaborationResilienceBackend Systems DesignAPI DevelopmentReliability EngineeringObservabilityAutomationSystem IntegrationScalability EngineeringProduction MonitoringIncident ManagementPlatform MigrationsSystem UpgradesDeployment AutomationCI/CD WorkflowsService InstrumentationCode ReviewsTechnical DocumentationJavaC++Systems Programming LanguagesDatabase TechnologiesKnowledge Graph RepresentationGraph DatabasesSearch IndexesData Processing PipelinesMetricsLoggingTracingCollaborative WorkingClear CommunicationLearning CommitmentAdaptabilityMission‑Driven Engineering Culture

Qualifications

2+ Years Backend or Platform Engineer Experience

Full job description

In A Nutshell Location

Remote

Salary

$95,164 - $148,729 / year

Job Type

Full-time

Experience Level

Mid-level

Deadline to apply

September 11, 2026

The Wikimedia Foundation is seeking a Software Engineer to join the team supporting the Wikidata Platform — the structured data backbone of Wikimedia projects and a key part of the global open knowledge ecosystem. You’ll help scale and sustain the Wikidata Query Service (WDQS) and related platform services that power tools, features, communities, and research efforts across Wikimedia projects and beyond.

Responsibilities

  • Help design, build, and maintain backend systems and APIs that power Wikidata’s query infrastructure
  • Improve reliability, observability, and automation of the Wikidata Query Service and data pipelines
  • Integrate Wikidata Platform services with other systems and data sources across Wikimedia
  • Develop features and capabilities to ensure stability and scalability under growing usage
  • Monitor production systems, respond to operational incidents and resolve bottlenecks
  • Support platform migrations and system upgrades (e.g., triple stores, streaming ingestion)
  • Contribute to deployment automation, CI/CD workflows, and service instrumentation
  • Participate in code reviews and design discussions,
  • Document systems and share knowledge with team members and Wikimedia’s broader technical community Skillset
  • 2+ years of experience as a backend or platform engineer working on distributed systems or data platforms
  • Solid understanding of database and/or knowledge graph representation technologies
  • Proficiency in Java, C++, or other systems languages. Ability to set up, scale, and investigate systems is more important than expertise in a particular language.
  • Experience building and operating production-grade services with SLOs – good appreciation of scalability, performance, reliability and other non-functionals
  • Familiarity with modern observability tools (metrics, logging, tracing)
  • Familiarity with data processing technologies such as graph databases, search indexes, or data processing pipelines
  • Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and communicate clearly across technical and non-technical audiences
  • A commitment to learning, resilience, and contributing to a mission-driven engineering culture Apply Now Spot any inaccurate information? Have a job to share? Let us know.

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.