Database Architect

Trafigura; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Trafigura is looking for an experienced Oracle Database Architect to lead the design, optimization, and governance of its Oracle database estate, focusing on high-performance Exadata platforms. The role is crucial in delivering scalable and secure database services that support essential business applications. This role involves strategic planning, technical authority on database performance, and collaboration with various teams to align architecture with business goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Infrastructure working with Oracle.
• Strong knowledge of Oracle database environments.
• Experience with Oracle RAC, Dataguard, and Performance Tuning.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimization of Oracle database platforms, emphasizing Exadata.
• Implement best practices for disaster recovery and capacity planning.
• Collaborate with various teams to ensure robust database solutions.

Skills

Oracle Exadata

Performance Tuning

Data Architecture

Vendor Management

Security and Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Relevant Oracle certifications

Job description

Main Purpose: We are seeking a highly experienced Oracle Database Architect to lead the design, optimisation, and governance of our Oracle database estate, with a specific focus on Oracle Exadata platforms. Based in our London office, this role is central to our mission to deliver high-performance, scalable, and secure database services to support critical business applications.
As a strategic and hands-on role, the Oracle Database Architect will shape our database infrastructure strategy, advise on Exadata performance tuning and capacity planning, and work closely with developers, infrastructure teams, and business stakeholders to ensure robust and future-proof database solutions. Knowledge Skills and Abilities, Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical authority for the design, architecture, and performance of Oracle database platforms, with an emphasis on Exadata for Production workloads.

• Deliver and maintain strategic roadmap for Trafigura’s use of Oracle technologies.

• Lead the implementation, maintenance and optimisation of Oracle platforms, including smart scans, hybrid columnar compression, and storage indexes.

• Define and enforce best practices around database performance tuning, high availability, disaster recovery, and capacity planning.

• Work collaboratively with application teams to align data architecture with application performance and scalability goals.

• Design and review data models, physical schemas, and partitioning strategies for large-scale transactional and analytical systems.

• Oversee database versioning, patching, and platform upgrades—ensuring minimal downtime and business disruption.

• Provide architectural input into migration initiatives (e.g., incumbent to Oracle, or Oracle to alternative database offering, e.g. AWS Redshift).

• Implement and enforce database security policies and compliance standards.

• Collaborate with application architects, platform engineers, developers and business analysts to deliver consistent and resilient data services.

• Correct budgeting for Oracle database technologies

• Document technical designs, configurations, and operational procedures.

Specialist Knowledge:

• Solid understanding of Oracle Exadata including configuration / patching.

• Experience using OEM including installation, upgrades, administration and monitoring.

• Hands-on experience deploying and managing Oracle RAC, Dataguard, ASM, RMAN, Performance Tuning, backup, restore, recovery, cloning, installation, configuration, upgrades, patching, security and troubleshooting.

• Good understanding of programming languages such as Python, ksh, Ansible etc.

• Very good understanding of Delphix and the deployment of virtual databases.

• Experience managing positive outcomes in a outsource environment.

• Vendor management including procurement and negotiation of license agreements.

• Strong knowledge of security and compliance controls within Oracle database environments

• Knowledge of database licensing models and optimisation strategies for enterprise cost control

• Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) or Oracle Certified Master (OCM) certification.

Educational Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science; information technology or a related field.

• Relevant Oracle certifications are highly desirable.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Infrastructure working with Oracle.

Competencies

• Problem-solving

• Ability to improve business processes

• Able to use initiative

• Ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Strategic planning

Key Relationships and Department Overview:

Key Relationships

• Unix, VMware & Storage Teams

• Vendor management

• Application Teams

• Outsourced IT management

Department

Trafigura Group IT provides shared services across the Trafigura group of companies, offering services at scale where it makes economic sense.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse workforce! We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or handicap, disability, or any other legally protected status.