Demo

Senior Database Developer (5480)

ess
Washington, DC Full Time
POSTED ON 8/4/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 10/4/2026

 

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

 

#CJPOST

# LI-SA1

 

 


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

 

 

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).

 

Salary : $95,600

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Senior Database Developer (5480)?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Senior Database Developer (5480) career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$122,257 - $154,284
Income Estimation: 
$143,391 - $179,890
Income Estimation: 
$124,724 - $161,246
Income Estimation: 
$147,901 - $186,323
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at ess

  • ess Knoxville, TN
  • At ESS our motto is, “Everyday counts!” We take opportunities every day to grow and better our company as well as our employees. OVERVIEW: We’re seeking a ... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • ess Lafayette, LA
  • We are hiring immediately for full time SUPPORT SERVICES-UTILITY positions. Location: Offshore and Land Operations - 504 West Pinhook Road, Lafayette, LA 7... more
  • 4 Days Ago

  • ess Jacksonville, FL
  • Client Engagement Representative Do you want to be a part of something BIG? Do you have a passion for education? Do you want to impact the lives of student... more
  • 4 Days Ago

  • ess Prudhoe Bay, AK
  • We are hiring immediately for full time BREAKFAST/PREP COOK positions. Location: North Slope - 201 Post Road, Prudhoe Bay, AK 99734 Note: online applicatio... more
  • 6 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Senior Database Developer (5480) jobs in the Washington, DC area that may be a better fit.

  • SMX Washington, DC
  • Are you a Senior Database Architect who thrives at the intersection of enterprise cloud infrastructure, high-performance data warehousing, and mission-crit... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • The Swift Group, LLC Herndon, VA
  • Swift is a privately held, mission-driven and employee-focused services and solutions company headquartered in Reston, VA. Our capabilities include Softwar... more
  • 1 Day Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!