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
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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.
At SMX®, we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to enabling your mission. From priority national security initiatives for the DoD to highly assured and compliant solutions for healthcare, we understand that digital transformation is key to your future success.
We share your vision for the future and strive to accelerate your impact on the world. We bring both cutting edge technology and an expansive view of what’s possible to every engagement. Our delivery model and unique approaches harness our deep technical and domain knowledge, providing forward-looking insights and practical solutions to power secure mission acceleration.
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).
Skills Required
- 8+ years progressive experience in database development and administration
- Minimum 4 years experience with cloud database platforms (AWS preferred)
- Advanced expertise in Amazon Redshift administration
- Advanced expertise in PostgreSQL/Aurora administration
- Experience configuring database targets and connection pools for Apache Airflow, AWS Glue, or similar orchestration platforms
- Experience with AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) and migration/replication workflows
- Expert-level proficiency in advanced SQL, query plan analysis, query tuning, stored procedures, and schema optimization
- Hands-on scripting skills in Python or Bash for automation of maintenance, monitoring, and pipelines
- Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code frameworks (Terraform or CloudFormation) for schema/deployment automation
- Deep knowledge of cloud DB security practices and HA/DR strategies
- Active Top Secret security clearance
- On-site work in Washington, DC
- Familiarity optimizing databases for enterprise BI reporting engines (e.g., TIBCO WebFOCUS)
- Domain awareness of federal financial data structures and government data governance policies
- Relevant certifications (AWS Certified Database - Specialty, AWS Solutions Architect, or equivalent)
SMX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SMX and has not been reviewed or approved by SMX.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Salary ranges are publicly listed on many postings and a pay transparency statement clarifies how location, contract, and credentials influence offers. This visibility helps set clear expectations around compensation.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — About four weeks of PTO plus 11 paid federal holidays are highlighted in careers materials. Paid military leave on some roles further expands time‑off coverage.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with a dollar‑for‑dollar match on the first 5% and immediate vesting is called out in role descriptions. Traditional and Roth options support long‑term savings.
SMX Insights
What We Do
SMX is a global technology and advanced engineering provider specializing in Cloud Solutions, C5ISR, and Advanced Engineering / IT. Our tradition of delivering innovative, technical solutions dates back to 1995, however, you may know us better by one of our legacy company names: Trident Technologies, Smartronix, Datastrong, or C2S Consulting Group. With the support of OceanSound Partners, our private equity investment sponsor, we began operating as one business starting in 2019 and became SMX in 2021. We operate in close proximity to our clients around the globe and have core locations in Alabama, California, the DC Metro, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Today, as SMX, we are one team and together empower government and commercial enterprises to become more effective, innovative, and resilient, no matter what challenges they face. SMX offers competitive benefits, excellent work environments, and growth opportunities for our employees while continuing to expand operations and support our communities. We have more than 25 years of rapid and consistent growth with continuous recognition as an employer-of-choice technology company. In addition, we have earned coveted industry quality and business certifications; have a strong commitment to business partnerships, ethics, compliance, and sustainability; and have a multitude of premier contracting vehicles. The combination of these attributes allows us to provide sound, repeatable business solutions yet remain flexible and agile to quickly adapt to specific customer requirements. Committed to ensuring the highest levels of customer satisfaction, SMX is structured around the programs and technologies we support to provide optimal and seamless operations. We have maintained a reputation for excellence, helping to assure the missions of our Department of Defense, Public Sector, Fortune 1000, and other Government and commercial customers.
