Principal Database Engineer IRES - SSFB/HSV

Amentum; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) matching

Educational reimbursement

Parental leave

Employee stock purchase plan

Tax-saving options

Disability and life insurance

Job summary

Amentum seeks a Principal Database Engineer to anchor the database administration team across Oracle, DB2, Cassandra, MongoDB, and SQL platforms. You will guide cloud and container deployment and ensure secure, efficient operation.

The role requires DoW Secret clearance, AWS/Azure cloud experience, and strong collaboration with developers and stakeholders to align data solutions with program needs. Location flexibility at major bases.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of general (full-time) work experience.
• 3+ years of directly related experience.
• Hands-on experience with Oracle, DB2, Cassandra, MongoDB, and SQL.
• Experience running databases in AWS and Azure.
• Hands-on containerization/orchestration with Kubernetes and Docker.
• Technical coordinator and mentor for a team of DBAs.
• Strong performance tuning, troubleshooting, and query optimization.
• Experience with backup, disaster recovery, capacity, and audits.
• Understanding of database security policies across an enterprise.
• Current Security+ certification.
• Active DoW Secret Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Be the technical anchor for the database administration team.
• Support the Missile Defense Agency on the IRES contract.
• Understand multiple database flavors and ensure secure, efficient integration.
• Bridge the gap between the database team, developers, and administrators.
• Guide how databases are run in the cloud and in containers.

Skills

Oracle

DB2

Cassandra

MongoDB

SQL

Kubernetes

Docker

AWS

Azure

Communication

Mentoring

WebLogic

Performance tuning

Security practices

Tools

Oracle WebLogic

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure)

Container orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker)

Job description

Position Title:

Principal Database Engineer

Location:

Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO or Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL

Relocation Assistance:

None available at this time

Remote/Telework:

NO - Not available for this position

Clearance Type:

DoW Secret

Shift:

Day shift

Travel Required:

Up to 10% of the time

Description of Duties:

We are looking for a versatile Principal Database Engineer to act as the technical anchor for our database administration team. The Principal Database Engineer supports the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on the Integrated Research and Development for Enterprise Solutions (IRES) contract. We run a complex, multi-platform environment, and we need someone who understands the nuances of several different database flavors—specifically Oracle, DB2, Cassandra, MongoDB, and SQL systems.

• You will be the technical point person.
• We have DBAs who are deep subject-matter experts in specific platforms, but your role is to see the big picture, jump into any of these environments when needed, and make sure everything is working together securely and efficiently.
• You will also bridge the gap between our database team, developers, and administrators to figure out exactly what kind of data solutions we need to build.
• Since we are moving toward modern infrastructure, you will also help guide how we run these databases in the cloud and within containers.

The successful candidate will:

• Have a habit of researching and testing new database technologies to see if they fit into our application lifecycle.
• Have excellent communication skills—you need to be able to sit down with developers and business owners to map out database requirements for new projects.

Basic Requirements:

• Must have 6, or more, years of general (full-time) work experience
• May be reduced with completion of advanced education
• Must have 3, or more, years of directly related experience
• Must have hands‑on experience installing, configuring, and maintaining multiple database platforms (must have working knowledge of Oracle, DB2, Cassandra, MongoDB, and SQL).
• Must have experience running databases in the cloud, specifically using AWS and Azure.
• Must have hands‑on experience with containerization and orchestration, including Kubernetes and Docker.
• Must be able to act as a technical coordinator and mentor for a team of DBAs, guiding the technical direction without needing the formal "Team Lead" title.
• Must have a solid background in performance tuning, troubleshooting, and optimizing queries across different database types.
• Must have experience handling the fundamentals: setting up backup and disaster recovery strategies, managing capacity, and running audits.
• Must have a strong understanding of database security policies and how to enforce them across an enterprise network.
• Must have a current Security+ certification
• Must have an active DoW Secret Security Clearance

Desired Requirements:

• Have advanced SQL query optimization skills.
• Have Oracle WebLogic experience (deploying, upgrading, patching, and troubleshooting).
• Have experience working on government or defense contracts (like the Missile Defense Agency), or similar highly regulated enterprise environments.

Compensation Details:

$115,000 – $145,000

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good‑faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara‑O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.