Sr. Database Engineer

Role: Sr. Database EngineerLocation : Irvine, CA - OnsiteDuration: 6+ MonthsJob Type: C2CWe are looking for a Sr. Database Engineer to be a technical authority and lead designer of our high-performance data environments. You are a "builder " who views databases as code—equally skilled at deep SQL performance tuning as you are at building automated deployment pipelines for global-scale clusters.You thrive on the challenge of high-stakes, large-scale data systems. As a key client-facing expert, you will guide our clients away from legacy "babysitting " models toward modern, self-healing, cloud-native database architectures on AWS.What You'll Do· Architect Scalable Data Systems: Design and oversee the implementation of enterprise-scale relational (RDS, Aurora) and NoSQL (DynamoDB, DocumentDB) database architectures.· Engineer Database Automation: Develop "Database-as-Code " using Terraform or CloudFormation to automate provisioning, scaling, and recovery processes across multi-region environments.· Optimize for Performance: Act as the final authority on complex performance tuning, including query optimization, indexing strategies, and hardware-level bottleneck analysis.· Modernize for AI: Design and implement specialized data storage solutions, such as vector databases (Amazon OpenSearch, pgvector), to support Generative AI and RAG-based applications.· Set the Standards: Define and enforce best practices for data modeling, security (encryption at rest/transit), and high-availability/disaster recovery (RPO/RTO) across the practice.· Lead & Mentor: Act as a technical mentor for junior engineers, leading deep-dive design reviews and fostering a culture of operational excellence.What You Bring (Requirements)· Professional Experience: 8-12+ years in database administration or engineering, with at least 4+ years in a Senior Engineering role focusing on cloud environments.· AWS Database Mastery: Expert-level knowledge of the AWS database ecosystem (Aurora, RDS, DynamoDB, Redshift).· Coding & Scripting: Proven mastery of Python and Advanced SQL for automation and sophisticated data manipulation.· Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Deep experience with Terraform or AWS CDK to manage database infrastructure.· Data Modeling: Expert-level understanding of both relational and non-relational data modeling techniques.· Client-Facing Excellence: Exceptional skills in leading technical workshops and translating ambiguous business needs into high-performance technical designs.· Startup Mentality: A "builder " mindset with a focus on impact, ownership, and the agility to solve "unsolvable " technical challenges.Bonus Points (Nice-to-Haves)· Certifications: AWS Certified Database – Specialty or AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional.· AI/ML Fluency: Experience with vector databases and preparing data pipelines for LLM integration.· Consulting Background: Experience in a Professional Services or global consulting environment.