Demo

Principal Database Developer/Kernel and Query Optimization

Oracle
Redwood, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 6/4/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/16/2026
Job Description

We are looking for a strong Database Developer who will be responsible for the research, design, and development of advanced features in the query optimizer component of Oracle Database. Additionally, you can be adding autonomous features and self learning and ML capabilities in keeping the query optimizer on the leading edge with respect to the competing database systems.

Our vision is to make Oracle query optimizer the most advanced yet easiest to use in the industry but most importantly continue to have fun achieving it

The team members have a strong research background and strive to bring the most advanced ideas to market in the latest versions of Oracle RDBMS. The group actively participates in collaborative manner of designing cross-group features like data partition pruning, zone map pruning, bloom filtering and pruning, database in-memory costing and optimization, JSON and XML document processing. Our team is heavily involved in the creation of automatic features (e.g. auto SQL plan management, auto indexing, auto error mitigation) for On-Prem databases and Autonomous Database announced by Larry Ellison at the Oracle Open World in Oct 2017. The group actively participates in customer and standard industry benchmark efforts. The group owns a large patent portfolio reflecting the ownership of many state-of-the-art innovations.

Responsibilities

As a member of the software engineering division, you will take an active role in researching, designing and development aspect of the Oracle Database kernel code in general and query optimizer code in particular. In addition, you will be responsible for the maintenance of optimizer code such as bug fixes and functional enhancements in addressing customer issues and functional requests.

Qualifications

Disclaimer:

Certain US customer or client-facing roles may be required to comply with applicable requirements, such as immunization and occupational health mandates.

Range and benefit information provided in this posting are specific to the stated locations only

US: Hiring Range in USD from: $96,800 - $223,400 per year. May be eligible for bonus and equity.

Oracle maintains broad salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions and locations, as well as reflect Oracle's differing products, industries and lines of business.

Candidates are typically placed into the range based on the preceding factors as well as internal peer equity.

Oracle US offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes the following:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including expert medical opinion
  • Short term disability and long term disability
  • Life insurance and AD&D
  • Supplemental life insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
  • Health care and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Pre-tax commuter and parking benefits
  • 401(k) Savings and Investment Plan with company match
  • Paid time off: Flexible Vacation is provided to all eligible employees assigned to a salaried (non-overtime eligible) position. Accrued Vacation is provided to all other employees eligible for vacation benefits. For employees working at least 35 hours per week, the vacation accrual rate is 13 days annually for the first three years of employment and 18 days annually for subsequent years of employment. Vacation accrual is prorated for employees working between 20 and 34 hours per week. Employees working fewer than 20 hours per week are not eligible for vacation.
  • 11 paid holidays
  • Paid sick leave: 72 hours of paid sick leave upon date of hire. Refreshes each calendar year. Unused balance will carry over each year up to a maximum cap of 112 hours.
  • Paid parental leave
  • Adoption assistance
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Financial planning and group legal
  • Voluntary benefits including auto, homeowner and pet insurance


The role will generally accept applications for at least three calendar days from the posting date or as long as the job remains posted.

Career Level - IC4

About Us

Only Oracle brings together the data, infrastructure, applications, and expertise to power everything from industry innovations to life-saving care. And with AI embedded across our products and services, we help customers turn that promise into a better future for all. Discover your potential at a company leading the way in AI and cloud solutions that impact billions of lives.

True innovation starts when everyone is empowered to contribute. That’s why we’re committed to growing a workforce that promotes opportunities for all with competitive benefits that support our people with flexible medical, life insurance, and retirement options. We also encourage employees to give back to their communities through our volunteer programs.

We’re committed to including people with disabilities at all stages of the employment process. If you require accessibility assistance or accommodation for a disability at any point, let us know by emailing accommodation-request_mb@oracle.com or by calling 1-888-404-2494 in the United States.

Oracle is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans’ status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Oracle will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to applicable law.

Salary : $96,800 - $223,400

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 Principal Database Developer/Kernel and Query Optimization?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Principal Database Developer/Kernel and Query Optimization career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$92,929 - $122,443
Income Estimation: 
$122,257 - $154,284
Income Estimation: 
$92,017 - $124,111
Income Estimation: 
$111,369 - $141,168
Income Estimation: 
$117,871 - $153,580
Income Estimation: 
$109,939 - $144,341
Income Estimation: 
$114,500 - $144,633
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 Oracle

  • Oracle Nashville, TN
  • Job Description Summary: The Senior Director of Operational Reliability, Data Centers, is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring the consisten... more
  • Just Posted

  • Oracle Nashville, TN
  • Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is redefining how enterprises build, deploy, and operate mission-critical workloads in the cloud. Designed to deliver sup... more
  • Just Posted

  • Oracle Seattle, WA
  • Job Description Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is redefining how enterprises build, deploy, and operate mission-critical workloads in the cloud. Designe... more
  • Just Posted

  • Oracle Burlington, MA
  • About Oracle NetSuite Do you want to advance your career with the world’s first cloud company? Since 1998, Oracle NetSuite has been on a mission to deliver... more
  • Just Posted


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Principal Database Developer/Kernel and Query Optimization jobs in the Redwood, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • Tesla Palo Alto, CA
  • What To Expect The Performance Optimization team takes research models and makes them run efficiently on Tesla's AI-ASICs, powering Autopilot and Optimus. ... more
  • 3 Days Ago

  • BlackLine Pleasanton, CA
  • Get to Know Us: It's fun to work in a company where people truly believe in what they're doing! At BlackLine, we're committed to bringing passion and custo... more
  • 5 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!