Senior Database Developer (5480)

SMX; Washington; On-site; USD 96,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

SMX in Washington, DC seeks a Senior Cloud Database Developer to lead architecture and modernization of the enterprise data platform, focusing on AWS Redshift, PostgreSQL/Aurora, and high-availability.

You will optimize BI query performance, collaborate with Data Engineers and Analysts, and implement DevSecOps automation using Python, Terraform, and Airflow; an active Top Secret clearance is required.

This on-site role offers competitive compensation and benefits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in database development and administration, with at least 4+ years on cloud database platforms (AWS preferred).
• Advanced expertise in Redshift and PostgreSQL/Aurora administration.
• ETL & orchestration experience with Apache Airflow or similar platforms.
• SQL mastery with deep query tuning and schema optimization.
• Scripting skills in Python or Bash for automation.
• Backup, security, and HA/DR knowledge for cloud databases.
• Active Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, provisioning, performance tuning, and lifecycle management of cloud-native analytical data stores.
• Monitor performance, optimize parameters, indexing/partitioning, and refactor SQL for BI tools like WebFOCUS.
• Oversee migration, replication, and synchronization of data using AWS DMS and Airflow.
• Write automation scripts and IaC for deployments, health checks, and maintenance tasks.
• Collaborate with Data Engineers, Analysts, and Architects to review schemas and data modeling.

Skills

Redshift

PostgreSQL

Aurora

SQL

Python

Bash

Airflow

Terraform

CloudFormation

Security

HA/DR

Query tuning

Tools

Airflow

AWS DMS

WebFOCUS

Job description

Are you a Senior Database Architect who thrives at the intersection of enterprise cloud infrastructure, high-performance data warehousing, and mission-critical availability? We are seeking a Senior Cloud Database Developer to serve as the core database authority for the Business Intelligence Suite.In this role, you will support the health, performance, security, and scalability of the FFD Data Warehouse and underlying cloud database ecosystems (e.g., AWS Redshift, PostgreSQL/Aurora). You will not simply be executing routine O&M; you will actively lead data architecture modernizations, optimize high-volume analytical query performance for BI engines (like WebFOCUS), and enforce the security posture. If you are looking to engineer and maintain an enterprise data platform for executive federal decision-makers, this is the position for you.This position is on site in Washington, DC and requires an active Top-Secret clearance.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Database Architecture & Provisioning: Lead the engineering, configuration, performance tuning, and lifecycle management of cloud-native analytical data stores (Amazon Redshift, AWS Aurora PostgreSQL, RDS)
• Performance Optimization & Query Tuning: Proactively monitor system performance, optimize database parameters, design indexing/partitioning/distribution strategies, and refactor complex SQL stored procedures to accelerate query execution for reporting tools like WebFOCUS.
• Database Migration & Integration: Oversee the migration, replication, and synchronization of legacy data assets into modern cloud repositories using tools such as AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) and containerized pipeline orchestrators (e.g., Apache Airflow).
• DevSecOps & Automation: Write operational automation scripts (using Python, Bash, or Infrastructure-as-Code frameworks like Terraform/CloudFormation) for automated schema deployments, DDL/DML migrations, health checks, and database maintenance tasks.
• Collaborative Data Support: Partner directly with Data Engineers, Business Analysts, and Software Architects to review schema designs, enforce data modeling best practices, and resolve complex data integration bottlenecks.

Required Skills & Experience

• Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in database development and administration, with at least 4+ years dedicated to cloud database platforms (AWS preferred) supporting high-volume data warehouses or BI environments.
• Core Technical Stack: Advanced expertise in Amazon Redshift and PostgreSQL / Aurora administration.
• ETL & Orchestration: Direct experience configuring database targets and connection pools for Apache Airflow, AWS Glue, or similar modern orchestration platforms.
• SQL Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in advanced SQL, query plan analysis, query tuning, stored procedures, and schema optimization.
• Scripting & Automation: Strong hands-on scripting skills in Python or Bash for automating database maintenance, monitoring alerts, and data pipeline tasks.
• Backup & Security: Deep knowledge of cloud DB security practices and HA/DR strategies.
• Security Clearance: Active Top Secret clearance.

Desired Skills & Experience

• BI Tool Integration: Familiarity with optimizing database performance specifically for TIBCO WebFOCUS or similar enterprise BI reporting engines.
• Federal Financial Domain: Domain awareness of federal financial data structures (e.g., UFMS, procurement datasets) and government data governance policies.
• Certifications: AWS Certified Database - Specialty, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or relevant database industry certifications

The SMX salary determination process takes into account a number of factors, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories, relevant prior work experience, specific skills, education and certifications. At SMX, one of our Core Values is to Invest in Our People so we offer a competitive mix of compensation, learning & development opportunities, and benefits. Some key components of our robust benefits include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement.

The proposed salary for this position is:

$95,600—$160,700 USD

At SMX®, we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to enabling your mission. From priority national security initiatives for the DoD to highly assured and compliant solutions for healthcare, we understand that digital transformation is key to your future success.

We share your vision for the future and strive to accelerate your impact on the world. We bring both cutting edge technology and an expansive view of what’s possible to every engagement. Our delivery model and unique approaches harness our deep technical and domain knowledge, providing forward-looking insights and practical solutions to power secure mission acceleration.

SMX is an Equal Opportunity employer including disabilities and veterans.

Selected applicant may be subject to a background investigation and/or education verification.

SMX does not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization or immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1 and O-1, or any EADs or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).