Database Engineer (TS/SCI with Poly Required)

GCI Incorporated; Tysons (VA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

GCI Incorporated in Tysons, VA seeks an experienced Database Engineer with deep expertise in relational databases across on-prem and cloud environments. The role demands architectural design, HA/DR, performance tuning, security, and cross-functional collaboration across infrastructure, application, security, and data teams.

This role requires a US citizen with an active TS/SCI clearance and a minimum of 10 years of related database experience, including MS SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related technical field and 10+ years of database experience.
• Hands-on expertise with relational DBs on-prem and in cloud environments.
• Experience with HA/DR, performance tuning, security and compliance.
• U.S. citizenship with active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for relational database technologies and drive modernization.
• Document current-state DB environments and develop future-state designs.
• Lead deployment of enhanced database architectures across hybrid environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high availability, security, and governance.

Skills

Microsoft SQL Server

Oracle Database

PostgreSQL

MySQL

Cloud databases (RDS/Azure SQL/Cloud)

AWS

Azure

GCP

PowerShell

Bash

Python

CI/CD for databases

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, IT, or related technical discipline

Tools

Terraform

ARM

CloudFormation

Docker

Kubernetes

SolarWinds

Redgate

OEM

Job description

GCI embodies excellence, integrity and professionalism. The employees supporting our customers deliver unique, high-value mission solutions while effectively leverage the technological expertise of our valued workforce to meet critical mission requirements in the areas of Data Analytics and Software Development, Engineering, Targeting and Analysis, Operations, Training, and Cyber Operations. We maximize opportunities for success by building and maintaining trusted and reliable partnerships with our customers and industry.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly experienced Database Engineer with demonstrated expertise in relational database technologies across both on-premises and cloud environments. The ideal candidate will possess deep hands-on technical knowledge, strong engineering design, and the ability to collaborate effectively across infrastructure, application, security, and data teams.

This role requires advanced engineering expertise, documentation proficiency, design leadership, and cross-functional communication skills to support modernization, transformation, and operational excellence initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, technical training, or work/military experience
• Minimum ten (10) years of related database technologies experience

Required Knowledge/Skills

Candidates must demonstrate hands-on engineering expertise in the following relational database technologies (on-prem and cloud):

Relational Database Platforms

• Microsoft SQL Server
• Oracle Database
• PostgreSQL (on-prem and cloud variants)
• MySQL
• Amazon RDS / Azure SQL Database / Google Cloud SQL

Cloud Platforms

• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Microsoft Azure
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Core Technical Competencies

• Database architecture and engineering design
• High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR)
• Performance tuning and query optimization
• Backup and recovery strategies
• Database security, encryption, and compliance
• Migration from on-prem to cloud and hybrid environments
• Linux and Windows server environments
• Scripting and automation (PowerShell, Bash, Python)
• CI/CD integration for database deployments

Desired Skills

• Database containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Database monitoring tools (SolarWinds, Redgate, OEM, Cloud-native monitoring)
• Data replication and distributed systems
• Data warehouse platforms (Snowflake, Redshift, Azure Synapse)
• ETL frameworks and tools
• Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, ARM, CloudFormation)
• Massively Parallel Processing database administration experience (MPP DBA)
• Ansible (or similar IT automation tools like Puppet or Chef)
• Supporting federal government compliance frameworks
• Knowledge of Zero Trust architectures
• Supporting mission-critical or high-transaction environments

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for relational database technologies
• Document and analyze current-state (as-is) database environments while promptly coming up to speed
• Develop comprehensive engineering design documents for modernization, optimization, and transformation initiatives for the database to align with the organization technical vision
• Lead implementation of enhanced and future-state database architectures
• Design, deploy, configure, optimize, secure, and maintain database platforms across hybrid environments
• Collaborate closely with the department engineering teams, including Network, Storage, Windows and Linux Systems Operating, Cloud, Web Services, Software Development, Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO), and DevOps
• Partner with Software Engineers, Data Engineers (ETL), Data Modelers, Data Scientists, and Data Analysts
• Ensure high availability, performance tuning, security hardening, and compliance adherence
• Provide database governance, standards, and best practices across the enterprise
• A candidate must be a US Citizen and requires an active/current TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans