The Role
Own the data layer for an AWS-hosted application supporting sensitive data requests on classified systems. Responsibilities include relational and NoSQL data modeling, database security, auditability, migration from legacy systems, SQL optimization, backup and recovery, schema change control, monitoring, compliance, and documentation. The role also supports AI-assisted validation, reporting, and collaboration with application, cloud, and systems engineering teams.
Summary Generated by Built In
About the Organization
Now is a great time to join Redhorse Corporation. We are a solution-driven company delivering data insights and technology solutions to customers with missions critical to U.S. national interests. We’re looking for thoughtful, skilled professionals who thrive as trusted partners building technology-agnostic solutions and want to apply their talents supporting customers with difficult and important mission sets.
About the Role
Redhorse is transforming how the government utilizes data and technology. We are looking for an experienced Database Engineer to join the team designing, building, and maintaining a new AWS-hosted, web-based internal tool used by non-technical end users to submit, review, approve, and track sensitive, highly regulated data requests on classified systems. The tool replaces a legacy web application and manual email- and spreadsheet-driven review with automated workflows, structured data capture, and AI-assisted review.
As the Database Engineer, you will own the data layer of the application: modeling the request, review, and audit data; designing the relational and NoSQL stores that back the application; migrating data out of the legacy system; and making sure the database is secure, performant, auditable, and compliant with data-handling policies. You will work closely with application developers, cloud engineers, systems engineers, and policy experts across a multi-company team, and with stakeholders, to translate data-access policy into enforceable database design. This role works under general direction and is expected to independently determine the approach to difficult data problems.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, build, and maintain the application's database management systems in the AWS environment, including logical and physical data modeling, relational database architecture, and metadata/repository design.
- Model the request lifecycle (submission, revision, review, approval, fulfillment, dissemination) so that workflow state, justifications, and reviewer decisions are captured as structured, queryable data rather than free text, email, or spreadsheets.
- Implement database-level security controls for sensitive request data, including role- and attribute-based access control, row/column-level security, encryption at rest and in transit, and least-privilege service accounts.
- Design and implement data retention periods, purge workflows, and immutable audit trails that satisfy policy and compliance requirements.
- Analyze the legacy application's data and processes; perform source analysis, data mapping, and data transformation to plan and execute migration into the target environment.
- Determine data storage requirements and evaluate, size, and select database technology components (e.g., Amazon RDS/Aurora PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, S3) for the application.
- Write, review, and tune SQL queries, stored procedures, and indexes for performance and scalability; support developers with efficient data access patterns and APIs.
- Implement comprehensive backup, recovery, and replication solutions; define and test RPO/RTO targets.
- Establish database configuration management and schema change control (migration scripts, versioning) integrated into the team's CI/CD pipeline.
- Structure and prepare data to support rules-based validation and AI-assisted detection of common request errors, and to support reporting and metrics for customer leadership.
- Monitor database health, capacity, and performance; troubleshoot and resolve production data issues.
- Prepare system requirements, data dictionaries, and design documentation throughout implementation.
Required Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI with Polygraph.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field and 5+ years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- 5+ years of experience designing, building, and administering relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL).
- Expert SQL skills, including query writing, performance tuning, indexing strategy, and stored procedures/functions.
- Demonstrated experience with data modeling (conceptual, logical, and physical) and relational database design.
- Hands-on experience with AWS database and storage services (e.g., RDS, Aurora, DynamoDB, S3), preferably on classified systems.
- Experience implementing database security, including access control, encryption, and auditing.
- Experience implementing backup, recovery, and replication solutions.
- Experience with data migration: source analysis, data mapping, and data transformation from legacy systems.
- Scripting experience (e.g., Python, Bash, or PowerShell) for automation and data processing.
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree in any of the above fields.
- Experience supporting application development on classified systems.
- AWS certification (e.g., AWS Certified Database – Specialty, Solutions Architect – Associate) or equivalent.
- Experience with NoSQL data stores (e.g., DynamoDB, MongoDB) and choosing between relational and NoSQL designs.
- Experience with regulated or sensitive data: retention schedules, purge/expungement, audit logging, privacy controls, and RBAC/ABAC.
- Experience with workflow- or case-management data models (requests, approvals, state transitions).
- Experience with database schema-change tooling (e.g., Flyway, Liquibase) and CI/CD / SecDevOps practices.
- Experience with Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) and containers (Docker, Kubernetes).
- Experience with ETL/ELT tools and event-driven AWS services (e.g., Lambda, SQS, Glue).
- Experience preparing data for machine learning or AI-assisted applications.
- Experience with Agile methodologies and tools such as Jira and Confluence.
The salary range provided for this position represents the anticipated base salary for successful candidates. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, education, certifications, skills, security clearance level, geographic location, market conditions, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, eligible employees may participate in Redhorse's comprehensive benefits programs and may be eligible for performance-based or other incentive compensation, where applicable.
Redhorse Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Talent Acquisition at [email protected]
Redhorse Corporation shall, in its discretion, modify or adjust the position to meet Redhorse’s changing needs. This job description is not a contract and may be adjusted as deemed appropriate in Redhorse’s sole discretion.
Skills Required
- Active TS/SCI with Polygraph
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience; or a master's degree with 3+ years of relevant experience; equivalent experience may substitute for a degree
- 5+ years designing, building, and administering relational databases
- Expert SQL skills, including query writing, performance tuning, indexing, and stored procedures or functions
- Experience with conceptual, logical, and physical data modeling and relational database design
- Hands-on experience with AWS database and storage services, preferably on classified systems
- Experience implementing database access control, encryption, and auditing
- Experience implementing backup, recovery, and replication solutions
- Experience with data migration, source analysis, data mapping, and data transformation from legacy systems
- Scripting experience with Python, Bash, or PowerShell
- Master's degree in a related field
- Experience supporting application development on classified systems
- AWS certification or equivalent, such as AWS Certified Database Specialty or Solutions Architect Associate
- Experience with NoSQL data stores and selecting relational versus NoSQL designs
- Experience with regulated or sensitive data, retention, purge, audit logging, privacy controls, and RBAC or ABAC
- Experience with workflow or case-management data models
- Experience with schema-change tooling, CI/CD, and SecDevOps practices
- Experience with Infrastructure as Code and containers, including Terraform, CloudFormation, Docker, or Kubernetes
- Experience with ETL/ELT tools and event-driven AWS services
- Experience preparing data for machine learning or AI-assisted applications
- Experience with Agile methodologies and Jira or Confluence
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The Company
What We Do
We want to improve the way government interacts with and uses data and technology. Redhorse combines top-tier consulting experience with a passion for problem-solving to help clients address mission-critical government problems. We roll up our sleeves and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients to understand their issues and find solutions, using digital transformation and artificial intelligence, partnered with our domain expertise in National Security, Networking Technology and Infrastructure, Energy and the Environment.
