Principal Clinical Database Developer

Emmes; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Emmes Group in Rockville, MD is seeking a Principal Clinical Database Developer to lead EDC configurations, data validation, and CDISC SDTM/CDASH implementations within an Agile team. You will act as a technical SME, guide UAT, and mentor junior staff.

This role requires deep SQL proficiency, experience with eCRF design, and collaboration across therapeutic areas to ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in analytic, technical, programming, or related discipline; required
• 7-9 years of progressive clinical database development experience (or master's with 6 years) and strong understanding of clinical research
• 4-6 years experience with eCRF design and specifications development
• 4-6 years experience writing, programming, or configuring data validation checks
• 4-6 years experience with QC, UAT, platform testing, and writing/executing test scripts
• 4-6 years knowledge of CDISC standards (CDASH, SDTM) and regulatory guidelines

Responsibilities

• Designs and configures electronic case report forms (eCRFs) including metadata, eCRF library, data checks, derivations, skip logic, rules, alerts, calculations.
• Configures complex protocols, visit schedules/folders and sites in the EDC system and advises on best approaches.
• Expertise in configuring features within EDC and related modules (ePRO, specimen tracking, randomization) as applicable.
• Evaluate complex requirements, determine feasibility, and implement novel solutions.
• Perform complex eCRF and data system QC, testing, and verification with high accuracy; mentor other teams.
• Writes and executes test scripts for complex configurations.
• Perform EDC releases (Test, Train, Production) and manage CRO library.
• Implement Data Validation Plans; write SQL or configure checks; review data changes; perform code review.
• Implement CDISC standards within EDC (CDASH/SDTM); support global standards development.
• Implement Data Migration Plans and data integration, upload, or transfer.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations (ICH/GCP).
• Use tracking systems to document configuration/testing and maintain SOPs; contribute to process improvements.
• May administer system modules or perform user/site administration across applications.
• Potentially serve as Product Owner/Scrum Master; mentor staff and contribute to agile processes.

Skills

eCRF design

SQL

CDISC SDTM

CDASH

UAT

Agile/Scrum

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's Degree in analytic/technical discipline

Tools

EDC systems

SQL-based validation

Job description

Overview

Principal Clinical Database Developer
Be Part of One Team, One Purpose.
At Emmes Group, we’re shaping the future of clinical research—where human intelligence meets cutting-edge technology to drive meaningful advancements in healthcare. With over 47 years of scientific excellence, we’ve led groundbreaking research in cell and gene therapy, vaccines, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, rare diseases, and neuroscience.
Through our two business units—Emmes, a full-service CRO, and Veridix AI, our technology, data, and analytical solutions —we are modernizing clinical trials and accelerating the development of life-changing therapies.
We believe that every clinical breakthrough starts with people—people who are passionate, purpose-driven, and ready to make an impact. At Emmes Group, we bring People, Science, and Technology together to collaborate with our customers and deliver global health impact. Our culture is built on integrity, collaboration, and innovation, ensuring that every challenge is met with perseverance and accountability.
The Principal Clinical Database Developer (PCDD) is an expert in delivering high-quality electronic data capture (EDC) platform and clinical database study configurations. PCDDs work as an integral part of an agile team and serve as a lead consultant on activities such as user acceptance testing (UAT) of EDC systems, data integration, upload, or transfer development, and global library/standards development. Proficient in creating SQL-based or configuration-based data validation checks and provides expertise for implementing CDISC standards such as CDASH and SDTM within the EDC system. This individual is a technical subject matter expert on clinical database development issues and may serve as a Product Owner or Scrum Master on the cross-functional Agile team and serve in a leadership or consultant role for a therapeutic area or department.

Responsibilities

• Designs and configures electronic case report forms (eCRFs), (e.g., metadata, eCRF library, data checks, derivations, skip logic, rules, alerts, calculations); consults with teams as expert in eCRF layout and clinical database design and has expertise in requirements writing; serves as department subject matter expert in design and configuration.
• Provides expertise in configuration of complex protocols, visit schedules/folders and sites in relevant clinical data system builder or architect module and advises on best approaches and implementation.
• Provides expertise in complex system/database build features both within EDC and any additional modules (e.g., ePRO, specimen tracking, randomization) as applicable to clinical data system; advises team to ensure streamlined system configuration and appropriate capability.
• Provides expertise in evaluating complex requirements, determines feasibility based on system capabilities, identifies and implements novel or unique solutions
• Performs complex eCRF and data system quality control, testing and verification activities with high degree of accuracy and consistency; may provide consultation to other teams within department
• Writes and executes test scripts for complex configurations.
• Performs EDC releases (Test, Train and Production), depending on the EDC system; including CRO global library.
• Implements/programs Data Validation Plans/Specifications; programs SQL based or configuration based data validation checks. Creates custom functions and procedures; reviews or performs manual data changes; may perform code review.
• Provides expertise for implementation of CDISC standards such as CDASH and SDTM within the EDC system; may perform SDTM mapping using SQL or other language; supports development and maintenance of global standards within therapeutic area.
• Implements complex Data Migration Plans (e.g., study data import/export, clone or transfer of previous study); configures or develops complex data integration, upload, or transfer.
• Ensure compliance with industry quality standards, regulations, guidelines and procedures including applicable Federal Regulations and ICH/GCP.
• Utilizes tracking system to document configuration and testing activities, maintain version control on all required configuration specifications, validation, and quality control documents as required by SOP; may contribute to review of department SOPs or work practices.
• May administer system modules (e.g., reports, PDF services, batch uploader) or perform user or site administration across applications.
• May serve as a Product Owner, Scrum Master, or Tester on the Agile team; participates in Agile cross team coordination meetings to facilitate sharing of ideas and process improvements across teams.
• Provides mentorship of senior team members and demonstrates technical leadership within a clinical data system or therapeutic area; participates in initiatives or committees relevant to system delivery team processes.
• Provides technical support to internal users for complex issues; reports defects and follows through to resolution ensures proper escalation and notification to other impacted teams; may participate in review of system issue trends and corrective actions.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree Analytic, technical, programming, or related discipline; equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. Required
• 7-9 years of progressive clinical database development experience (or master's degree with 6 years) and strong understanding of clinical research and clinical database development and Agile processes Required
• 4-6 years Experience with database structures and programming languages Preferred
• 4-6 years Experience with eCRF design and specifications development Preferred
• 4-6 years Experience writing, programming, or configuring data validation checks Preferred
• 4-6 years Experience with QC, UAT, platform testing, and writing and executing test scripts Preferred
• 4-6 years Knowledge of ICH/GCP guidelines, 21 CFR Part 11, clinical trial methodology, and CDISC standards (CDASH, SDTM) Preferred
• 4-6 years Knowledge of software development lifecycle activities; experience with Agile/Scrum Preferred
• Expertise in eCRF design, clinical database configuration, and system architecture. High
• Strong proficiency in SQL, programming, and implementation of data validation checks. High
• Deep understanding of CDISC standard, DASH, SDTM, and clinical research methodology. High
• Experience with Agile and Scrum processes and ability to serve as Product Owner or Scrum Master. High
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and technical troubleshooting skills. High
• Ability to mentor and provide technical leadership to team members. High
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work with cross functional teams. High

If you’re looking for a career where your work advances global health and where scientific excellence meets real-world impact, join us and be part of something bigger. One Team, One Purpose.
CONNECT WITH US!
Find us on LinkedIn:/the-emmes-group/
Visit our website: https://www.theemmesgroup.com/