Principal Database Architect, Multi-Region Data Platform

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Colombia.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of the multi-region data architecture utilizing six AWS-native engines: Aurora MySQL, Cassandra, ElastiCache (Redis / Valkey), DynamoDB, DocumentDB, and Neptune. For each engine, establish the cross-region replication patterns (Aurora Global Database, DynamoDB Global Tables, DocumentDB Global Clusters, Cassandra multi-DC, MemoryDB or Valkey global datastore, Neptune Global Database) along with the operational model that supports these patterns.

• Define and manage the per-tier RTO and RPO commitments (Tier 0 / Tier 1 / Tier 2), as well as create cutover and failback runbooks, validating them using Fault Injection Service / Game Days.

• Coordinate the data-layer cutover across all three program phases. Distinguish between strong-consistency and eventual-consistency decisions for each workload, and determine the feasibility of active-active configurations versus region-sharded ledgers or single-writer with replicated read-models.

• Lead a team of Database Engineers across the various engines, setting the technical standards, reviewing designs, and facilitating implementation. Collaborate with the client's DB and SRE leadership on architectural decisions and Operational Readiness Reviews.

• Convert data-layer constraints into an application decomposition strategy. As the monolith transitions to microservices, provide counsel on data ownership boundaries (aligned with DDD), strangler-fig extraction patterns, CDC pipelines (DMS, DDB Streams, Kafka Connect), and the event-based contracts that decouple services from the monolith.

• Generate the audit-grade artifacts expected by the client and their regulators, including replication runbooks, DR test evidence, methodologies for measuring RTO and RPO, and alignment with the Well-Architected Reliability Pillar.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 12 years of experience in database engineering and architecture, with a minimum of 5 years in a Principal or Staff-level architect role focused on production systems at fintech scale.

• Proven experience in designing and delivering multi-region active-passive and active-active data architectures on AWS, having completed at least one full transition from a single-region to a multi-region setup in production, preferably for financial services or other highly regulated/high-availability environments.

• Extensive production experience with Aurora MySQL (including Global Database) and at least three of the following: Cassandra, DynamoDB (Global Tables), ElastiCache or MemoryDB (Redis / Valkey), DocumentDB, Neptune. Familiarity with the remaining engines is also required.

• Practical experience in monolith decomposition from the data perspective: extracting bounded contexts from a shared relational database, managing CDC and dual-write patterns, and overseeing the transitional phase where both the monolith and microservices access the same data.

• Experience in the fintech or payments domain, including idempotent write patterns, ledger accuracy, transaction reconciliation, and understanding the regulatory implications associated with PCI-DSS, SOX, or equivalent standards.

• Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or CDK and observability tools like Datadog, New Relic, or CloudWatch.

• Strong written communication skills.

🏝️ Benefits

• Influence real-world AI-driven projects across various key industries, collaborating with clients from startup innovation to enterprise transformation.

• Join a global team that offers equal opportunities for collaboration across different continents and cultures.

• Flourish in an inclusive environment that emphasizes continuous learning, innovation, and adherence to ethical AI standards.