AWS/SQL Principal Database Engineer (Cloud & Automation), On-site

About the Role ThePrincipal Database Engineer (Cloud & Automation)is asenior on-site technical leadership roleresponsible for designing, optimizing, and advancing enterprise-scale database systems across the organization. Acting as both strategist and hands-on expert, this role ensures best-in-class data architecture, security, availability, and performance to support complex business applications and analytics. As a key member of the technology leadership team, the Principal Database Engineer partners with DevOps, Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security teams to align database solutions with business objectives, technology vision, and compliance frameworks (SOC 2, HITRUST). This position leads the modernization of cloud-based database infrastructure—primarily within AWS—and champions the use of automation, Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), and CI/CD practices to enhance scalability, reliability, and cost efficiency. Please note: This is a full-time on-site position. Remote work arrangements are not available for this role. Key Responsibilities • Cloud Database Architecture:Design and implement cloud-native database solutions on AWS (RDS, EC2, Aurora, Redshift, FSx) that are secure, scalable, and cost-optimized. • Automation & CI/CD:Develop and maintain automated CI/CD pipelines for database deployments using tools such as Flyway, GitHub Actions, or Jenkins. • Infrastructure-as-Code:Build and manage Terraform or CloudFormation templates to standardize database provisioning and configuration. • Security & Compliance:Strengthen data protection through encryption, IAM integration, access control, and audit logging in collaboration with Security and Compliance teams. • Performance & Monitoring:Implement advanced monitoring, alerting, and performance-tuning solutions to ensure database reliability and efficiency. • Database Strategy & Modernization:Lead enterprise cloud migration and modernization initiatives, guiding long-term platform evolution and standardization. • Data Engineering & Integration:Oversee complex SSIS packages, ETL processes, and data pipelines that integrate systems across the enterprise. • Best Practices & Governance:Mentor development teams on data modeling, query optimization, and stored procedure design; drive adherence to database governance standards. • Incident Management:Serve as the primary escalation point for high-impact database issues, ensuring timely resolution and root-cause analysis. • Leadership & Mentorship:Provide technical direction and mentorship to database engineers, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement. • Innovation:Stay current on emerging database, cloud, and automation technologies to guide future architectural decisions. Qualifications Required Education & Experience • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field. • 12+ years of progressive experience in database engineering, with proven leadership in enterprise SQL Server environments. • Deep expertise in designing and managing large-scale, hybrid (on-prem/cloud) database infrastructures. • Strong background in performance tuning, backup and recovery, and high-availability configurations (e.g., Always On, clustering, replication). • Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects involving development, BI, and infrastructure. Preferred Qualifications • Certifications:AWS Certified Database – Specialty or AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate/Professional). • Hands-on experience with Terraform, CloudFormation, or Ansible for provisioning and automation. • Familiarity with compliance frameworks such as SOC 2, HITRUST, or PCI DSS. • Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or equivalent. • Experience with additional platforms such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or NoSQL. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) • Expertise in AWS database services (RDS, Aurora, Redshift, FSx for Windows File Server). • Proficiency with Flyway or similar schema migration tools integrated into CI/CD workflows. • Knowledge of Git-based version control and automated deployment processes. • Familiarity with monitoring and cost optimization tools (CloudWatch, DPA, Grafana). • Deep technical knowledge of SQL Server, T-SQL, SSIS, and relational database architecture. • Ability to bridge infrastructure, development, and security disciplines to deliver production-ready automation. • Strategic thinker who can align data architecture with enterprise-scale objectives. • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including executive-level reporting. • Proven leadership and mentoring experience across distributed technical teams. Work Location Location:This position ison-siteat our Los Angeles, California office. Remote work options arenot availablefor this role. • 12655 Beatrice St., Los Angeles, CA 90066 Why Join DAI At DAI, you’ll shape the future of enterprise data platforms and lead modernization initiatives that bring togethercloud innovation, automation, and security. You’ll collaborate with forward-thinking engineers and business leaders across a global organization committed to technology excellence and continuous improvement. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $150,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year Benefits: • 401(k) • 401(k) matching • Dental insurance • Employee assistance program • Flexible schedule • Flexible spending account • Health insurance • Health savings account • Life insurance • Paid time off • Parental leave • Professional development assistance • Referral program • Retirement plan • Vision insurance Application Question(s): • This is an on-site position. Are you within a commutable distance to Los Angeles, 90066? • Work Authorization: Do you have a current or future need for Visa Sponsorship to work in the U.S.? If yes, please explain... • Do you have AWS Certification? Work Location: In person