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Lead Database Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Harvey

Staff Database Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$190K - $286K/yr

Platform & Tooling - Build self-service tooling and developer guardrails-migration dry-runs, schema ... Lead database incident response and drive systemic improvements-triage production issues, run post ...

Acra Lending

Enterprise Database Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$135K - $150K/yr

Lead database performance engineering efforts, including SQL query tuning, execution plan analysis, indexing strategy, and statistics maintenance; establish performance baselines, capacity planning ...

SOHO Square Solutions

Teardata DBA

San Jose, CA · On-site

Lead database patch identification/application and upgrades * Escalate and follow-through on ... Provide database support to ETL and BI developers * Participate on 24X7 on-call rotation * Expert ...

JBA International

Database Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The Database Engineer, Senior will work closely with the engineering team members to design ... Challenge conventional practices and use creativity and information to lead, innovate, problem ...

Crunchyroll, LLC

Senior Database Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$124K - $169K/yr

Proficiency in monitoring tools (e.g., Datadog, CloudWatch, DevOps Guru, DB Performance Insights ... We lead and evangelize the principle of 100% automation. Additionally, we define and document ...

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All JobsLead Database Developer JobsLead Database Developer Jobs in California

Lead Database Developer information

See California salary details

$95.2K

$130.9K

$211.7K

How much do lead database developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead database developer in California is $130,870.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,500.00 and $133,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are database developers still in demand?

Database developers remain in demand due to ongoing needs for data management, system optimization, and integration across industries. Skills in SQL, database design, and familiarity with tools like Oracle or MySQL are highly valued, and the role often requires staying updated with new technologies and security practices.

Is DBA still in demand?

Database Administrators (DBAs) remain in demand due to ongoing data growth and the need for data security, performance tuning, and management. Skills in SQL, cloud platforms, and automation tools enhance job prospects, especially in organizations prioritizing data integrity and compliance.

Will AI replace database developer?

AI is unlikely to fully replace database developers, as their role involves designing, optimizing, and maintaining complex database systems that require human expertise. AI tools can assist with automation and data analysis, but skilled developers are needed to interpret results, ensure security, and adapt to evolving requirements. Continuous learning and proficiency in database management systems remain essential for the role.

What is the difference between Lead Database Developer vs Database Administrator?

AspectLead Database DeveloperDatabase Administrator
Primary FocusDesigning, developing, and optimizing database systems and applicationsMaintaining, securing, and ensuring the performance of existing databases
Skills & CertificationsSQL, database design, programming, possibly certifications like Oracle Certified ProfessionalDatabase management, backup/recovery, security, certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, project-based roles, software companiesIT departments, enterprise environments, ongoing system maintenance

While both roles work closely with databases, the Lead Database Developer primarily focuses on creating and optimizing database solutions, whereas the Database Administrator manages the day-to-day operation, security, and maintenance of databases. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and professionals for their database needs.

Is SQL in demand in 2026?

SQL remains a fundamental skill for Lead Database Developers and other data professionals, with demand driven by ongoing needs for data management, analytics, and business intelligence. As organizations continue to rely on relational databases, proficiency in SQL and related tools like database design and optimization will likely remain highly valuable through 2026.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Database Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Database Developer, you need advanced skills in database design, SQL programming, performance tuning, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Expertise with database management systems such as Oracle, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL, and certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate are often required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential for guiding teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills ensure robust, high-performing databases that meet business needs and support organizational growth.

What are Lead Database Developers?

Lead Database Developers are senior professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and managing complex database systems within an organization. They oversee a team of database developers, set best practices, and ensure the security, scalability, and efficiency of data storage and retrieval. Their role often involves collaborating with other departments to understand data requirements and supporting business goals through technical solutions. Additionally, they may be involved in performance tuning, troubleshooting, and integrating new technologies into existing systems.

What are some common challenges Lead Database Developers face when managing large-scale database projects?

Lead Database Developers often encounter challenges such as balancing performance optimization with data integrity, coordinating database changes across multiple development teams, and ensuring robust security measures are in place. Managing database migrations and scaling solutions to handle increasing data volumes can also be complex, especially in environments that demand high availability. Effective communication with stakeholders and aligning database strategies with business needs are crucial for overcoming these challenges.
What are popular job titles related to Lead Database Developer jobs in California? For Lead Database Developer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lead Database Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Database Developer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Lead Database Developer jobs in CA? For Lead Database Developer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Lead Database Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Database Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 5% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,870 per year, or $62.9 per hour.
Lead Database Reliability Engineer - 11606

Lead Database Reliability Engineer - 11606

Coupa Software, Inc.

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$142K - $198K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Coupa makes margins multiply through its community-generated AI and industry-leading total spend management platform for businesses large and small. Coupa AI is informed by trillions of dollars of direct and indirect spend data across a global network of 10M+ buyers and suppliers. We empower you with the ability to predict, prescribe, and automate smarter, more profitable business decisions to improve operating margins.
Why join Coupa?
Pioneering Technology: At Coupa, we're at the forefront of innovation, leveraging the latest technology to empower our customers with greater efficiency and visibility in their spend.
Collaborative Culture: We value collaboration and teamwork, and our culture is driven by transparency, openness, and a shared commitment to excellence.
Global Impact: Join a company where your work has a global, measurable impact on our clients, the business, and each other.
Learn more on Life at Coupa blog and hear from our employees about their experiences working at Coupa.
The Impact of a Lead Database Reliability Engineer at Coupa:
As a Lead Database Reliability Engineer, you will focus primarily on Cloud based MySQL environments. You will be responsible for designing, automating, and maintaining reliable database infrastructure that supports mission-critical applications.
As a senior member of the team, you'll be a hands-on technical leader-driving automation, mentoring engineers, and partnering with development and infrastructure teams to deliver resilient, secure, and performant data platforms.
What You'll Do
  • Lead database architecture and design initiatives, delivering scalable, high-performance, reliable solutions aligned with business needs and long-term strategic goals.
  • Leverage AI/ML technologies to improve database operations through performance optimization, capacity planning, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and automation.
  • Develop, maintain, and enhance database monitoring, alerting, backup, and disaster recovery systems to ensure system health, data integrity, and high availability.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex database issues, providing technical leadership, guidance, and operational support, including participation in on-call rotations.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies by conducting regular database audits, assessments, and governance reviews.
  • Collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams, mentor junior database engineers, stay current on emerging database technologies and best practices, and remain flexible to support global teams across multiple time zones.

What You Will Bring to Coupa
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience) with 8+ years of hands-on database administration, management, and performance optimization experience.
  • Deep expertise in MySQL, including database design, implementation, configuration, security, troubleshooting, maintenance, backup/recovery, replication, and performance tuning.
  • Strong automation and cloud experience, including scripting with Bash, Python, or Ruby and managing large-scale AWS environments, with knowledge of cloud-native database services such as RDS and Aurora; Azure or GCP experience is a plus.
  • Experience building and maintaining database observability solutions, including monitoring, dashboards, and alerting using tools such as PMM, New Relic, VividCortex, or similar database management platforms.
  • Expertise in high-availability and disaster recovery solutions, including failover clustering, Orchestrator, and strategies that ensure database reliability, resilience, and business continuity.
  • Preferred qualifications include experience with PostgreSQL or MongoDB, configuration management tools (Chef/Puppet), Terraform, GitHub-based workflows, and relevant database administration or automation certifications.

$142,000 - $198,667 a year
The successful candidate's starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.
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Coupa complies with relevant laws and regulations regarding equal opportunity and offers a welcoming and inclusive work environment. Decisions related to hiring, compensation, training, or evaluating performance are made fairly, and we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees.
Please be advised that inquiries or resumes from recruiters will not be accepted.
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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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