Database Engineer with Security Clearance

Redhorse Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Redhorse Corporation seeks an experienced Database Engineer to own the data layer of a new AWS-hosted internal tool for submitting, reviewing, and tracking sensitive data requests on classified systems. You will model data lifecycles, design relational and NoSQL stores, and ensure secure, auditable databases across CI/CD pipelines.

You will collaborate with developers, cloud and systems engineers, policy experts, and stakeholders to translate data-access policies into robust database designs,

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field and 5+ years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience.
• 5+ years of experience designing, building, and administering relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL).
• Expert SQL skills, including query writing, performance tuning, indexing strategy, and stored procedures/functions.
• Demonstrated experience with data modeling (conceptual, logical, and physical) and relational database design.
• Hands-on experience with AWS database and storage services (e.g., RDS, Aurora, DynamoDB, S3), preferably on classified systems.
• Experience implementing database security, including access control, encryption, and auditing.
• Experience implementing backup, recovery, and replication solutions.
• Experience with data migration: source analysis, data mapping, and data transformation from legacy systems.
• Scripting experience (e.g., Python, Bash, or PowerShell) for automation and data processing.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain the application's database management systems in the AWS environment, including logical and physical data modeling, relational database architecture, and metadata/repository design.
• Model the request lifecycle (submission, revision, review, approval, fulfillment, dissemination) so that workflow state, justifications, and reviewer decisions are captured as structured, queryable data rather than free text, email, or spreadsheets.
• Implement database-level security controls for sensitive request data, including role- and attribute-based access control, row/column-level security, encryption at rest and in transit, and least-privilege service accounts.
• Design and implement data retention periods, purge workflows, and immutable audit trails that satisfy policy and compliance requirements.
• Analyze the legacy application's data and processes; perform source analysis, data mapping, and data transformation to plan and execute migration into the target environment.
• Determine data storage requirements and evaluate, size, and select database technology components (e.g., Amazon RDS/Aurora PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, S3) for the application.
• Write, review, and tune SQL queries, stored procedures, and indexes for performance and scalability; support developers with efficient data access patterns and APIs.
• Implement comprehensive backup, recovery, and replication solutions; define and test RPO/RTO targets.
• Establish database configuration management and schema change control (migration scripts, versioning) integrated into the team's CI/CD pipeline.
• Structure and prepare data to support rules-based validation and AI-assisted detection of common request errors, and to support reporting and metrics for customer leadership.
• Monitor database health, capacity, and performance; troubleshoot and resolve production data issues.
• Prepare system requirements, data dictionaries, and design documentation throughout implementation.

Skills

SQL optimization

Data modeling

Python scripting

RBAC/ABAC

Cloud database design

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/IT/Engineering

Master's degree

Tools

Amazon RDS/Aurora

DynamoDB

S3

Flyway

Liquibase

Terraform

CloudFormation

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Organization

Now is a great time to join Redhorse Corporation. We are a solution-driven company delivering data insights and technology solutions to customers with missions critical to U.S. national interests. We’re looking for thoughtful, skilled professionals who thrive as trusted partners building technology-agnostic solutions and want to apply their talents supporting customers with difficult and important mission sets.

About the Role

Redhorse is transforming how the government utilizes data and technology. We are looking for an experienced Database Engineer to join the team designing, building, and maintaining a new AWS-hosted, web-based internal tool used by non-technical end users to submit, review, approve, and track sensitive, highly regulated data requests on classified systems. The tool replaces a legacy web application and manual email- and spreadsheet-driven review with automated workflows, structured data capture, and AI-assisted review. As the Database Engineer, you will own the data layer of the application: modeling the request, review, and audit data; designing the relational and NoSQL stores that back the application; migrating data out of the legacy system; and making sure the database is secure, performant, auditable, and compliant with data-handling policies. You will work closely with application developers, cloud engineers, systems engineers, and policy experts across a multi-company team, and with stakeholders, to translate data-access policy into enforceable database design. This role works under general direction and is expected to independently determine the approach to difficult data problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain the application's database management systems in the AWS environment, including logical and physical data modeling, relational database architecture, and metadata/repository design.
• Model the request lifecycle (submission, revision, review, approval, fulfillment, dissemination) so that workflow state, justifications, and reviewer decisions are captured as structured, queryable data rather than free text, email, or spreadsheets.
• Implement database-level security controls for sensitive request data, including role- and attribute-based access control, row/column-level security, encryption at rest and in transit, and least-privilege service accounts.
• Design and implement data retention periods, purge workflows, and immutable audit trails that satisfy policy and compliance requirements.
• Analyze the legacy application's data and processes; perform source analysis, data mapping, and data transformation to plan and execute migration into the target environment.
• Determine data storage requirements and evaluate, size, and select database technology components (e.g., Amazon RDS/Aurora PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, S3) for the application.
• Write, review, and tune SQL queries, stored procedures, and indexes for performance and scalability; support developers with efficient data access patterns and APIs.
• Implement comprehensive backup, recovery, and replication solutions; define and test RPO/RTO targets.
• Establish database configuration management and schema change control (migration scripts, versioning) integrated into the team's CI/CD pipeline.
• Structure and prepare data to support rules-based validation and AI-assisted detection of common request errors, and to support reporting and metrics for customer leadership.
• Monitor database health, capacity, and performance; troubleshoot and resolve production data issues.
• Prepare system requirements, data dictionaries, and design documentation throughout implementation.

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with Polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field and 5+ years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 5+ years of experience designing, building, and administering relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL).
• Expert SQL skills, including query writing, performance tuning, indexing strategy, and stored procedures/functions.
• Demonstrated experience with data modeling (conceptual, logical, and physical) and relational database design.
• Hands-on experience with AWS database and storage services (e.g., RDS, Aurora, DynamoDB, S3), preferably on classified systems.
• Experience implementing database security, including access control, encryption, and auditing.
• Experience implementing backup, recovery, and replication solutions.
• Experience with data migration: source analysis, data mapping, and data transformation from legacy systems.
• Scripting experience (e.g., Python, Bash, or PowerShell) for automation and data processing.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in any of the above fields.
• Experience supporting application development on classified systems.
• AWS certification (e.g., AWS Certified Database – Specialty, Solutions Architect – Associate) or equivalent.
• Experience with NoSQL data stores (e.g., DynamoDB, MongoDB) and choosing between relational and NoSQL designs.
• Experience with regulated or sensitive data: retention schedules, purge/expungement, audit logging, privacy controls, and RBAC/ABAC.
• Experience with workflow- or case-management data models (requests, approvals, state transitions).
• Experience with database schema-change tooling (e.g., Flyway, Liquibase) and CI/CD / SecDevOps practices.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) and containers (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with ETL/ELT tools and event-driven AWS services (e.g., Lambda, SQS, Glue).
• Experience preparing data for machine learning or AI-assisted applications.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and tools such as Jira and Confluence.

Salary

$150,000 - $225,000 a year The salary range provided for this position represents the anticipated base salary for successful candidates. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, education, certifications, skills, security clearance level, geographic location, market conditions, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, eligible employees may participate in Redhorse's comprehensive benefits programs and may be eligible for performance-based or other incentive compensation, where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Redhorse Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Talent Acquisition at

If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Redhorse Corporation shall, in its discretion, modify or adjust the position to meet Redhorse’s changing needs. This job description is not a contract and may be adjusted as deemed appropriate in Redhorse’s sole discretion. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.