Database Administrator / Data Engineer (12 Month Project)-2

FHLB Des Moines; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Washington ORIS is seeking a Database Administrator/Database Engineer for a 12‑month project. You will ensure database stability, performance, and security across cloud and on‑prem environments, supporting development and production data needs, with potential on‑call duties.

You’ll partner with development teams, implement DR frameworks, and contribute to data infrastructure in a high‑efficiency research setting. This role emphasizes collaboration and reliability.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of SQL database administration and engineering.
• Expertise in database performance tuning, indexing, and query optimization.
• Experience with backup/DR strategies in cloud and on‑prem environments.
• Strong data modeling, relational schemas, and data integrity.
• Experience with SQL Server and ETL tooling (SSIS, AWS Glue, Informatica).
• Cloud experience: AWS RDS/EC2/DMS and IaC (Terraform/CFN).
• Familiarity with AI-enabled data engineering and automation.

Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, configure, maintain, and deprecate database environments.
• Develop SQL queries for applications and reporting to meet needs.
• Maintain backups, retention, and disaster recovery planning.
• Configure monitoring, logging, and performance tuning for reliability.
• Plan data migrations and system upgrades; handle off-hours releases.
• Collaborate with software engineers throughout the application lifecycle.
• Ensure security, continuity, and regulatory compliance.

Skills

SQL database administration

Database performance tuning

Backup and disaster recovery

Relational database design

Microsoft SQL Server

ETL processes

AWS cloud services (RDS, EC2, DMS)

Infrastructure as code (Terraform/CFN)

Data modeling

Monitoring and logging

AI/Generative AI in data engineering

Collaboration with software teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Math/Statistics, Business

Tools

SSIS

AWS Glue

Informatica

Alteryx

RDS

EC2

DMS

Terraform

CloudFormation

Job description

Job Description ORIS has an outstanding opportunity for A Database Administrator/Database Engineer (12-month Project) to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the IT Technology Services Manager, the Database Administrator/Database Engineer (DBA/DE) is responsible for ensuring the stability, performance, and security of the databases and data. This position supports databases across platforms and products, both in the cloud and on-premises and provides support through all phases of development as well as providing production support. This is an essential position and may be required to report to work when UW suspends operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Operations and Administration – 60% Design, deploy, configure, maintain, and deprecate database environments, databases, data schema, and data elements to support novel applications development and support Develop and assist with SQL query design for applications and reporting to meet organizational needs and ORIS commitments Recommend, design, implement, and maintain automation to reduce repetitive software development and maintenance tasks and increase application performance Maintain configuration and management of databases across Non-Prod and Prod environments to ensure optimal uptime and performance for ORIS products and services Engage and participate in ORIS’ culture of review both as reviewer and reviewee to ensure shared knowledge of development practices and high-quality code Implement and maintain regular database backup and retention plans to ensure that database archiving and disposition requirements are met Determine, implement, and maintain performance monitoring and tuning strategies to ensure that databases operate within security, reliability, and availability requirements Configure logging and monitoring to ensure reliable and accurate reporting on database and application health and performance Participate in software release (possibly including off hours release and update times) Plan and carry out any needed data migrations and system upgrades and updates Monitor ETLs and other regular or scheduled database processes and take appropriate steps when failures occur Research and respond to alerts and notifications of real or potential issues to proactively communicate and address problems Research data and database issues as they pertain to production support and non-production support requests, including application SQL queries Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery for ORIS databases Troubleshoot and resolve application and data infrastructure incidents
• Technical Planning, Consultation, and Collaboration – 25% Partner with development teams to ensure data and database components and mechanisms meet all functional and non-functional requirements, including data modeling, data schema design, database design, query development and optimization, and similar tasks Participate in UW technology integration initiatives that involve ORIS supported systems Participate in organizational risk assessment activities, security planning, and vendor analysis to ensure solutions meet data and data infrastructure standards Build strong relationships, working with diverse technical and business partner groups, both internal and external to the University of Washington Effectively communicate and collaborate technical information with a wide range of people with varying levels of technical expertise
• Administrative Duties – 10% Attend recurring organization meetings and one-on-ones with a supervisor. Engage in unplanned communications Participate in recurring HR processes
• Professional and Organizational Development – 5% Maintain an awareness of industry, institutional, and organizational trends, best practices, and standard solutions Socialize key concepts, industry best practices, and organizational principles, strategies, and conventions related to data and database administration to both technical and non-technical staff via mentoring, meetings, hands-on learning, and documentation Become familiar with research administration in an R1 university setting in order to streamline its supporting business processes

Required Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Math/Statistics, Business A minimum of 6 years of experience in SQL database administration and software engineering database support to include at least the following minimum professional experience: 6 years of the 6 years hands-on as an individual contributor on database implementation, maintenance, and operation in accordance with industry standards, data policies, and security best practices using SQL. The six years should include the following: Expertise troubleshooting application database issues in an enterprise production environment Expertise with database performance tuning, indexing, query profiling, query optimization, and monitoring, and the tools associated with these tasks (such as SolarWinds, Datadog, RDS Database Insights, and/or Redgate) Proven success designing, implementing, and maintaining backup and disaster recovery strategies and retention lifecycles in a cloud environment Experience with secure data management practices Experience designing, implementing, and maintaining relational database schemas, structures, and models to support application and pipeline performance, maintainability, and data integrity Experience partnering directly with software engineering teams through the application lifecycle to support data structure and data infrastructure needs (such as creation, transformation, optimization, support, etc.) Experience with peer review and collaboration on data schemas, stored procedures, and data model changes to ensure adherence to standards, data quality, performance, maintainability, and security Experience with Microsoft SQL Server Experience supporting ETL processes and data integrations, and using associated tools (such as SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), AWS Glue, Informatica, or Alteryx) 2 years of the six years to include experience configuring and managing databases in the AWS cloud environment including services such as RDS, EC2, DMS, and infrastructure as code (Terraform or CloudFormation) 2 years of the six years to include experience with data engineering practices incorporating AI capabilities, including: Proven success leveraging generative AI, agent-based solutions, and automation technologies to accelerate database administration and data engineering activities that result in improved operational efficiency, decision support, or engineering outcomes Demonstrated application of generative AI, AI-powered agents, machine learning and other AI tools to support and improve data engineering lifecycle activities, artifacts, and assets Experience evaluating, selecting, implementing, and supporting AI-enabled tools and services appropriate for cloud-based data engineering environments Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written mediums with individuals and groups in order to socialize information and knowledge with a diverse group of colleagues Demonstrated ease in technical and non-technical review as both reviewer and reviewee in order to facilitate collaborative group activities such as change control and pull request review Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.
• Preferred Qualifications Experience with ... AWS Services such as Glue, DMS, Quicksight, Redshift, data pipeline Performing security audits and reviews of databases and data systems REST API development and management platforms, such as MuleSoft or Boomi (Mulesoft preferred) Open-source database technologies: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Oracle, etc. Information Security standards and frameworks Working in a Scrum-Agile environment Workday suite of applications/modules Workday data model, security, integrations, and data load capabilities

Working Conditions

This position: Contributes in a collaborative teamwork environment Collaborates across diverse backgrounds, personalities, and disciplines in a shared space working environment through scheduled and ad hoc meetings focused on problem solving May be required to work in a hybrid environment, using remote and on-site workplaces While normally has a Monday-Friday day shift, will occasionally have responsibilities or emergent situations where work outside of standard business hours is required to ensure software deployments go smoothly, to respond to incidents, and/or to meet critical deadlines May be required to be on call Is an essential position and is required to report to work when needed when UW suspends operations

About the Team

This position advances the Office of Research’s mission to support the integration of electronic research information systems both as a data engineer, ensuring the optimized and performance applications with the data layer and, as an administrator, ensuring the security and reliability of ORIS’s core database operations. This will reduce the administrative burden on researchers across the University by improving the amount of time researchers can spend on researching; improving University compliance; and ensuring that the University can continue to be at the forefront of academic research.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

• Pay Range Minimum: $117,600.00 annual Pay Range Maximum: $124,800.00 annual
• Other Compensation: - Benefits: For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-temporary-per-diem-and-less-than-half-time/
• Shift: First Shift (United States of America)
• Temporary or Regular? This is a temporary position FTE (Full-Time Equivalent): 100.00% Union/Bargaining Unit: Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [e-mail]. Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.