Principal Database Engineer – SQL Server, AI Data Infrastructure

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

📋 Description

• Design, create, enhance, and modernize extensive SQL Server databases and data platforms.

• Analyze and refactor intricate T-SQL, stored procedures, functions, and database logic.

• Identify and address database performance issues through execution-plan evaluation, indexing, query optimization, and database tuning.

• Propel schema enhancements and database modernization projects.

• Develop strategies for migration and automation that uphold data integrity and minimize disruption.

• Implement and refine data replication and synchronization methods.

• Utilize event-driven database patterns including CDC, outbox patterns, and event publishing.

• Engineer solutions for large, high-volume databases that support critical business applications and partners.

• Create data pipelines and integration frameworks across SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Snowflake, and cloud data services.

• Support OLTP and OLAP environments while optimizing data movement.

• Leverage AI coding assistants to expedite development, analysis, debugging, and modernization tasks.

• Apply AI-driven methods for stored-procedure analysis, schema documentation, and workflow automation.

• Contribute to AI-native data infrastructure, including embedding pipelines, vector databases, semantic search, and retrieval systems.

• Develop capabilities for data and retrieval that support AI applications and agentic workflows.

• Assess emerging AI tools to enhance engineering productivity and data platform capabilities.

• Lead complex database engineering projects from problem identification through to production implementation.

• Provide technical mentorship through code reviews, design discussions, and adherence to engineering standards.

• Mentor engineers and enhance database engineering practices.

• Address high-impact production challenges involving critical database systems.

• Diagnose intricate issues using logs, database metrics, resource utilization, execution plans, and observability data.

• Identify root causes, coordinate technical teams, and ensure resolution of issues.

• Balance incident resolution with long-term enhancements.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 15 years of experience in database engineering, data platform engineering, software engineering, or a related technical field.

• Extensive hands-on expertise with Microsoft SQL Server and T-SQL, including complex stored procedures, query optimization, execution-plan analysis, indexing, and performance tuning.

• Experience in modernizing or refactoring legacy database systems.

• Familiarity with large-scale, business-critical databases and high-volume data environments.

• Proficient programming skills in Python, C#, or a comparable language.

• Experience with data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes, data integration, batch processing, and/or event-driven architectures.

• Strong understanding of database internals, transaction management, concurrency, locking, and performance optimization.

• Ability to work across engineering teams and independently manage complex technical initiatives.

• Experience utilizing AI coding assistants such as Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, Augment, or similar tools.

• Familiarity with embeddings, vector databases, semantic search, or RAG concepts.

• Experience or willingness to develop AI-enabled data tools and automation.

• Exposure to PostgreSQL, Snowflake, Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, AWS data services, or similar platforms.

• Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform, ARM/Bicep, or similar technologies.

• Proficiency in CI/CD, source control, database migrations, schema versioning, and deployment automation.

• Experience with event streaming technologies such as Kafka is advantageous.

• Familiarity with NoSQL and document databases is a plus.

• Preferred experience in payments, financial services, healthcare, benefits, or other highly regulated sectors.

• Preferred experience in supporting highly available, customer-facing, or business-critical systems.

• Preferred experience with Oracle PL/SQL in addition to SQL Server.

• Preferred practical experience with RAG, semantic search, vector databases, or AI-agent data infrastructure.

• Preferred experience in developing internal engineering tools or automation utilizing AI.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Retirement savings plan.

• Paid time off.

• Health savings account.

• Flexible spending accounts.

• Life insurance.

• Disability insurance.

• Tuition reimbursement.

• Eligibility for quarterly or annual bonuses for non-sales roles.

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits that support personal and professional well-being.