Principal Database Engineer, Oracle Exadata, Multi Database and AI Ready Data PlatformsLocations & Work Arrangement: Candidates must be willing to commute to one of the following hub locations with a hybrid schedule of 4 days onsite and 1 day remote per week with flexibility in one of the following hubs:Phoenix, AZJohnston, RIBoston, MAIselin, NJPlano or Irving TXPosition SummaryWe are seeking a highly skilled and forward looking Principal Database Engineer with deep ownership of Oracle Exadata engineered systems, enterprise Oracle database platforms, and modern cloud native databases. This role is the senior technical and platform authority responsible for architecture, engineering standards, financial stewardship, and long term evolution of the enterprise database ecosystem across Exadata based on premise platforms, hybrid models, and public cloud environments. The ideal candidate combines hands on Oracle and Exadata expertise, strong commercial and cost management awareness, and a strategic mindset for enabling analytics, machine learning, and Generative AI at enterprise scale.Key ResponsibilitiesOracle Exadata Platform Ownership and Engineered Systems LeadershipServe as the primary technical owner and architect for Oracle Exadata environments across database, compute, storage, and networkingDefine Exadata platform strategy, operating models, consolidation approaches, workload placement, and growth planningLead performance engineering using Smart Scan, Hybrid Columnar Compression, ASM, RAC, IORM, and resource managementOwn capacity planning, utilization optimization, and expansion strategies balancing performance, availability, and costDesign and govern high availability and disaster recovery architectures using RAC, Data Guard, and Maximum Availability Architecture patternsEstablish monitoring, diagnostics, and observability standards for proactive platform health managementPartner with infrastructure teams on lifecycle management including patching, firmware alignment, upgrades, expansion, and decommissioningOracle Licensing, Cost Optimization, and Commercial GovernanceAct as the technical authority for Oracle licensing strategy aligned to architecture and deployment decisionsOptimize licensing and support costs through processor and core analysis, feature usage governance, and environment right sizingPartner with finance, procurement, and legal on contract negotiations, renewals, audits, and true up activitiesEstablish engineering guardrails to prevent licensing risk and cost leakage across on premise and cloud environmentsEvaluate deployment alternatives including Exadata Cloud at Customer and hybrid models with detailed cost benefit analysisProvide executive level insight into total cost of ownership, performance tradeoffs, and long term platform sustainabilityDatabase Architecture, Engineering, and OperationsServe as enterprise technical authority for Oracle and multi database platformsAdminister and optimize Oracle databases including tuning, backup, recovery, security, and lifecycle managementProvide expert guidance for MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and other relational and NoSQL platformsDesign and review complex SQL, schemas, and access patterns supporting mission critical applications and analyticsDefine resiliency, scaling, and data protection architectures aligned to business RTO and RPO requirementsCloud and Hybrid Data PlatformsArchitect and support cloud database services primarily on AWS and AzureLead database modernization and hybrid integration between Exadata and cloud platformsEstablish standards for cloud database performance, cost optimization, security, and reliabilityPartner with cloud, infrastructure, and SRE teams on automation, observability, and reliability engineeringAI, Analytics, and Data EnablementArchitect databases supporting advanced analytics, machine learning, and Generative AI workloadsEnable AI ready data performance including high throughput, low latency, and scalable access patternsSupport data integration, replication, and streaming using Kafka, GoldenGate, and cloud native servicesCollaborate with data engineering teams on model training, inference, and near real time analytics pipelinesAutomation, Governance, and SecurityImplement database automation using scripting, DevOps and DataOps practices, and Infrastructure as CodeEnforce data security, privacy, compliance, encryption, access control, and auditing standardsSupport responsible data and AI governance including data quality, lineage, and controlled accessAct as senior escalation point for incidents, driving root cause analysis and long term improvementsTechnical Leadership and Vendor ManagementProvide mentorship and technical leadership to database and platform engineersInfluence architecture, platform roadmaps, and technology selection decisionsServe as primary technical interface with Oracle and strategic vendorsEvaluate and recommend database technologies, tooling, and vendors aligned to enterprise strategy and financial disciplineRequired Qualifications• 10 or more years of experience as a Database Engineer or DBA with deep Oracle Exadata expertise• Hands on experience administering and optimizing Oracle databases including RAC, ASM, and Data Guard• Strong understanding of Oracle licensing models, cost drivers, and deployment implications• Experience supporting MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB in enterprise environments• Advanced SQL, query optimization, and database internals expertise• Experience with AWS database services and hybrid integration patterns• Experience with data replication and streaming using Kafka and GoldenGate• Strong analytical, documentation, and stakeholder communication skillsPreferred Qualifications• Experience with Exadata Cloud at Customer or hybrid engineered system architectures• Demonstrated success reducing Oracle licensing and platform costs• Familiarity with analytics, machine learning, or AI data platforms• Experience with DevOps, DataOps, automation, and Infrastructure as Code• AWS certifications including Database Specialty or Solutions Architect• Experience working in regulated industriesWhy This RoleThis is a hands on Principal level role with full ownership of Oracle Exadata platforms including architecture, operational excellence, licensing governance, and vendor strategy.
The role directly influences how the enterprise balances performance, cost, risk, and innovation while enabling analytics and AI at scale.Pay TransparencyThe salary range for this position is $122,000-180,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location, and relevant skills and experience.We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens' paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of very local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit SkillsBusiness Requirements AnalysisCapacity OptimizationConfiguration PlanCross-Functional CollaborationCustomer-CentricityData EngineeringDatabase ArchitectureDatabase ManagementDatabases and ApplicationsEmerging TechnologiesGeneral Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)IT Project Management (ITPM)Principles of Information TechnologyValuing Diversity and InclusionAbout UsEqual Employment OpportunityCitizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague's or a dependent