Database Engineer

Socket.dev; Ashburn (VA); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

CACI seeks a Senior Database Engineer to join the BEAGLE ASF Team supporting CBP in Northern Virginia. Design and maintain MongoDB and PostgreSQL environments, guiding data modeling, indexing, and performance for mission-critical applications.

You will ensure security, automation, and agile delivery on a hybrid Ashburn schedule. The ideal candidate has 5–7+ years in database engineering, with at least 3 years hands-on MongoDB, and US citizenship with CBP background eligibility.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of database administration/engineering experience.
• 3+ years of hands-on MongoDB design and administration.
• B.S. degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or related field (equivalent experience accepted).
• Hybrid schedule in Ashburn, VA.

Responsibilities

• Design and document logical and physical data models for NoSQL and relational systems.
• Administer, configure, and maintain MongoDB environments with HA and sharding.
• Administer and maintain PostgreSQL/Oracle/MS SQL Server interfaces.
• Perform ongoing query optimization and index tuning for SQL and NoSQL workloads.
• Implement database security controls, RBAC, auditing, and encryption.
• Develop, test, and implement backup, recovery, and DR strategies.
• Automate deployment and maintenance using scripting and IaC; participate in Agile ceremonies.

Skills

NoSQL

MongoDB

Data Modeling

RDBMS

Performance Tuning

Python

Bash

PowerShell

Security

Linux

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/SE/IT or related field

Tools

PostgreSQL

Oracle

Microsoft SQL Server

Job description

Job Title: Database EngineerJob Category: Information TechnologyTime Type: Full timeMinimum Clearance Required to Start: NoneEmployee Type: RegularPercentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%Type of Travel: Local* * *

The Opportunity:

CACI is currently looking for a Senior Database Engineer with Agile methodology experience to join our BEAGLE (Border Enforcement Applications for Government Leading-Edge Information Technology) Agile Solution Factory (ASF) Team supporting the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) client located in Northern Virginia!

Join this passionate team of industry-leading individuals supporting the best practices in Agile Software Development for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a member of the BEAGLE ASF Team, you will support the men and women charged with safeguarding the American people and enhancing the Nation’s safety, security, and prosperity. CBP agents and officers are on the front lines, every day, protecting our national security by combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into one coordinated and supportive activity.

In this role, you will be the core data authority on an Agile Scrum team. You will spend your time designing, modeling, securing, and maintaining both modern document-based NoSQL database environments (primarily MongoDB) and relational database management systems (RDBMS like PostgreSQL). The ideal candidate is a blend of a highly skilled database administrator and a forward-thinking data architect who understands when to leverage NoSQL and when to utilize relational models to optimize mission-critical application performance.

Responsibilities:

• Database Architecture & Schema Design: Design and document logical and physical data models. Guide software development teams on database schema design, indexing strategies, and data relationships for both NoSQL (document design patterns, referencing vs. embedding) and relational (normalization, foreign keys, indexing) systems.
• MongoDB Administration & Engineering: Administer, configure, upgrade, and maintain MongoDB environments. Design and manage high-availability infrastructure, including MongoDB replica sets, sharded clusters, and distributed systems.
• Relational Database Support: Administer, model, and maintain relational databases (such as PostgreSQL or Oracle) that interface with modern legacy and modernized systems.
• Performance Tuning: Perform continuous database tuning and query optimization. Analyze execution plans, evaluate indexes, and optimize MongoDB aggregation pipelines and SQL queries to eliminate bottlenecks.
• Data Security & Compliance: Implement and maintain database security controls, including authentication, role-based access control (RBAC), auditing, encryption-at-rest, and encryption-in-transit, ensuring alignment with CBP and DHS security regulations.
• Backup & Disaster Recovery: Develop, test, and implement robust backup, recovery, and disaster recovery strategies for distributed NoSQL and relational databases.
• Automation & DevSecOps: Automate database deployment, configuration management, patching, and routine maintenance tasks using scripting languages (Python, Bash) and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) tools.
• Collaborative Agile Delivery: Actively participate in Agile scrum ceremonies, collaborating closely with developers, cloud engineers, and government stakeholders to support rapid, short-sprint software releases.

Qualifications:

• Citizenship & Clearance: Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to pass a CBP background investigation. Criteria include, but are not limited to:
  • 3-year check for felony convictions
  • 1-year check for illegal drug use
  • 1-year check for misconduct such as theft or fraud
• Education: College degree (B.S.) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field (equivalent experience accepted in lieu of degree).
• Professional Experience: 5–7+ years of database administration/engineering experience, with a minimum of 3+ years of dedicated, hands-on experience designing and administering MongoDB environments.
• Location: Local candidates must be available to work a hybrid schedule in Ashburn, VA.

You are good at:

• NoSQL Expertise: In-depth knowledge of MongoDB architecture, replica sets, sharded clusters, locking mechanisms, storage engines (WiredTiger), and transaction handling.
• Data Modeling: Designing scalable schemas for document-oriented databases (handling polymorphic schemas, bucket patterns, schema versioning) and relational databases.
• Relational Database Systems (RDBMS): Working knowledge of relational database administration, schema design, and SQL development (PostgreSQL, Oracle, or Microsoft SQL Server preferred).
• Performance Optimization: Tuning slow queries, creating compound and partial indexes, and debugging performance bottlenecks in both SQL databases and NoSQL systems.
• Scripting & Automation: Writing clean, maintainable automation scripts in Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
• Security Standards: Configuring database security (TLS/SSL certificates, Kerberos/LDAP integration, auditing logs) and applying database STIGs/hardening guidelines.
• Linux Administration: Comfortably navigating Linux operating systems (RHEL/CentOS) for database host configuration, volume management, and performance monitoring.

What You Can Expect:

A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.

An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.

Pay Range:

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

The proposed salary range for this position is:

$86,600 - $181,800

CACI is anEqualOpportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any otherprotectedcharacteristic.