Database Engineer Database Management

Database Engineer, Mid

Location: 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC 20590 (On-site, 5 days/week)

Clearance: Active Public Trust required (DOJ Public Trust preferred)

Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship required; must have resided in the U.S. for at least 3 years

Contract Duration: 6 months + possible extension

Work Hours: Standard schedule, 40 hours/week

On-Call: Required (primarily for SFI-related incidents)

1. Role Summary

The Mid-Level Database Engineer is responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, and optimal performance of Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL database systems across Linux, Windows, AWS, and on-premises environments. This role supports application development teams, manages database operations, performs regular maintenance, and troubleshoots complex issues within production systems. The position requires hands-on experience with open-source and enterprise databases, strong AWS knowledge, and the ability to support modernization, migration, and automation initiatives.

2. Key Responsibilities

Drive and support standardization of a unified Configuration Management Database (CMDB).

Install, configure, and manage Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL databases on Linux, Windows, and AWS platforms.

Set up new databases, servers, and related infrastructure in cloud and on-prem environments.

Manage replication, clustering, and high-availability configurations to ensure system uptime.

Perform database performance tuning, root-cause analysis, and optimization.

Apply Quarterly Patch Set Updates (PSUs) for Oracle and MySQL on AWS EC2 and other supported platforms.

Plan and perform database upgrades, patches, migrations, and refreshes.

Support AWS DMS and database modernization efforts in collaboration with development teams.

Monitor database metrics, system performance, and proactively resolve bottlenecks or failures.

Configure, execute, and verify database backups; ensure adherence to defined SLAs.

Support monthly SAFER baselines and SMS baseline activities, including snapshot creation.

Perform regular maintenance tasks: index rebuilds, statistics updates, integrity checks.

Troubleshoot performance issues, slow queries, and deadlocks using native tools.

Manage user accounts, roles, and permissions while enforcing security policies.

Implement and monitor security controls, vulnerability remediation, encryption, and audit logging.

Participate in failover testing, disaster recovery (DR), and backup validation efforts.

Provide on-call production support outside normal business hours.

Conduct AWS R&D tasks to support new initiatives and automation improvements.

Maintain documentation of database configurations, environments, and maintenance activities.

Generate performance reports, growth trend analyses, and usage statistics.

Collaborate closely with application, infrastructure, and security teams to ensure smooth operations and system upgrades.

3. Required Technical Skills

Certified in Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL database administration.

Hands-on expertise managing Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL databases on Linux and Windows.

Strong knowledge of AWS database services (RDS, EC2-hosted databases) and cloud concepts.

Proficiency with database installation, configuration, optimization, tuning, and maintenance.

Experience with backup, restore, and DR strategies, including failover testing.

Ability to analyze execution plans, troubleshoot performance issues, and optimize queries.

Knowledge of security best practices: encryption, access controls, vulnerability remediation, audit logging.

Familiarity with monitoring tools and database automation processes.

Experience supporting production databases with on-call responsibilities.

Strong collaboration and communication skills for working with operations, infrastructure, and development teams.

4. Preferred / Nice-to-Have Skills

(Note: Some preferred items overlap with required skills; they are retained per instructions.)

Install, configure, and manage Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL databases on Linux and Windows platforms.

Deploy and manage databases on AWS RDS, EC2, and on-premises environments.

Facilitate database migrations, upgrades, backups, and restores.

Administer user access, roles, and permissions based on project requirements.

Monitor database health, rebuild indexes, and perform routine maintenance.

Troubleshoot performance issues, optimize SQL queries, and analyze execution plans.

Configure database security (encryption, policies, compliance standards).

Participate in failover and DR testing; provide recommendations.

Support on-call production responsibilities.

Participate in monthly database maintenance, patching, and updates.

Maintain accurate documentation for operations, incidents, and maintenance.

5. Qualifications & Experience

BS degree or equivalent experience.

Less than 2 years of prior relevant experience (per position classification).

Certified in Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MySQL administration.

Must be a U.S. citizen with at least 3 years of U.S. residency.

Must currently hold a Public Trust (DOJ Public Trust preferred) or be able to obtain one before starting.

Ability to work fully on-site in Washington, DC, 5 days per week.

7. Additional Position Details

Work Site Type: Government site, no remote allowed.

Work Hours: Standard schedule; no OT expected.

Security Clearance: Public Trust (cannot begin assignment until granted).

Interviews: Phone/Teams interviews; no direct submissions to hiring manager. Benefits (employee contribution):

Health insurance

Health savings account

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Retirement plan

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.