Senior Database Engineer

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Database Engineer with specialized expertise in NoSQL database technologies to join our data team. This role focuses on the efficient and secure management of NoSQL databases, ensuring that data is stored effectively and can be retrieved quickly and securely when needed. The ideal candidate will have deep experience with document, key-value, and graph databases in cloud environments.

Role Focus

A Senior Database Engineer at Effectual is a data professional responsible for managing and maintaining complex NoSQL database environments. As a Cloud DBA in Delivery, you will be assessing NoSQL database solutions for deploying, migrating, and tuning optimal database solutions in cloud environments, with particular emphasis on MongoDB, DynamoDB, DocumentDB, and Neptune.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Core Database Management

• Design, install, configure, and maintain cloud-based NoSQL database environments including MongoDB, DynamoDB, DocumentDB, and Neptune

• Monitor NoSQL database performance and proactively identify and address performance issues specific to document stores and key-value databases

• Ensure the security of NoSQL database environments, including access control, data encryption, and proper authentication mechanisms

• Develop and implement backup and recovery procedures tailored to NoSQL database architectures

• Plan and execute NoSQL database upgrades and migrations between different NoSQL platforms

• Provide technical support to end-users and troubleshoot issues with NoSQL databases

Advanced NoSQL Responsibilities

• Design and implement optimal document schemas and data models for MongoDB environments

• Configure and optimize DynamoDB partition keys, sort keys, and global secondary indexes

• Implement and maintain MongoDB replica sets and sharded clusters

• Design and manage DynamoDB auto-scaling policies and on-demand capacity configurations

• Handle NoSQL-specific procedures such as data modeling optimization, index management, and aggregation pipeline tuning

• Profile and optimize query performance for document-based and key-value operations

Cloud and DevOps Integration

• Automate NoSQL database maintenance and management tasks using Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

• Create comprehensive documentation for NoSQL database service configurations and options

• Stay current with emerging trends and technologies in cloud-based NoSQL database solutions

• Maintain expertise with CI/CD pipelines for NoSQL database deployments

• Collaborate with development teams to optimize application-database interactions for NoSQL architectures

Team Collaboration and Project Management

• Collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure NoSQL database architecture design meets performance and scalability requirements

• Support rigorous project governance through daily progress reviews and time tracking

• Operate with transparency and responsiveness to team member requests

• Communicate working preferences to develop high-performing, respectful teams

Skills and Experience

Required Experience

• 7+ years of experience in the database field with significant NoSQL specialization

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

• Experience in three or more NoSQL platforms including MongoDB and DynamoDB

• Strong proficiency in NoSQL database management and data modeling principles

• Experience with recent versions of MongoDB (5.0+) and current DynamoDB features

• Understanding of NoSQL database underlying storage engines and configuration options

• Experience with NoSQL database replication, high availability, and disaster recovery strategies

Technical Proficiencies

• MongoDB expertise: Document modeling, aggregation framework, replica sets, sharding, and GridFS

• DynamoDB proficiency: Partition design, GSI management, streams, and DAX caching

• Experience with AWS environment, especially DynamoDB, DocumentDB, and MongoDB Atlas on AWS

• Proficient in NoSQL query languages and optimization techniques

• Knowledge of NoSQL-specific features such as TTL, change streams, and distributed transactions

• Ability to plan resource requirements and capacity planning for NoSQL workloads

• Knowledge of limitations and advantages of AWS NoSQL platforms and workarounds for adoption

Development and Operations Skills

• Expert use of code versioning tools such as GitHub

• Expert knowledge of Agile methodologies and delivery practices

• Experience with containerization and orchestration for NoSQL databases

• Proficiency with monitoring and observability tools for NoSQL environments

Leadership Competencies

• Leadership Team Management

• Risk Management and mitigation strategies

• Conflict Resolution

• Strategic Planning Leadership

• Resource Management

• Change Management

Target Certifications

Required NoSQL Certifications

• MongoDB Certified DBA Associate or MongoDB Certified Developer Associate

• AWS Certified Database - Specialty (current replacement for retired specialty)

Recommended AWS Certifications

• AWS SysOps Professional

• AWS Solutions Architect Professional

• AWS Developer Associate

Additional Valuable Certifications

• HashiCorp Terraform Associate

• HashiCorp Vault Associate

• MongoDB Certified DBA Professional (preferred)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with graph databases (Neptune, Neo4j)

• Knowledge of time-series databases (InfluxDB, TimeStream)

• Experience with search engines (Elasticsearch, Amazon OpenSearch)

• Understanding of data streaming technologies (Kafka, Kinesis) as they relate to NoSQL databases

• Experience with multi-cloud NoSQL implementations

• Background in microservices architecture and database per service patterns

This role offers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge NoSQL technologies while contributing to high-impact cloud transformation projects for our enterprise clients.

Company Offered Benefits

Full-time employees are eligible to participate in our employee benefit programs:

• Medical, dental, and vision health insurances,

• Short term disability, long term disability and life insurances,

• 401k with Company match

• Paid time off (PTO) (120 hours PTO that accrue over one year)

• Paid time off for major holidays (14 days per year)

• These and any other employee benefit offerings are subject to management’s discretion and may change at any time. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The work is generally performed in an office environment. Physical demands include sitting, keyboarding, verbal communication, written communication. Employees are occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Salary Range for this position: $150,000-$180,000

CA ID: IT10000478

"Salary ranges provided are for informational purposes only and may vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, and geographic location. The final salary offer will be determined based on the candidate's skills and alignment with the role requirements."

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended anytime at the sole discretion of the Employer. Duties and responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship. Effectual Inc. is an EEO employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected classification in its hiring, promoting, or any other job-related opportunity.