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Lead Database Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Turing

Frontier Data Lead - RL Gyms

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$250K - $350K/yr

Environments for Software Engineering / coding agents * UI-Environments for Computer-Use/Browser ... Set the process that each of the above team members follows to generate environment code, database ...

TP-Link

Senior Cloud Operations Engineer - DBA

Irvine, CA · On-site

$112K - $152K/yr

... Lead the construction and ongoing maintenance of our database platform in the cloud environment ... one programming language (e.g., Shell, Python, Java) for scripting and automating database ...

Techwave

Who are we? Techwave is a leading global IT and engineering services and solutions company ... Performing database refreshes from Production to Development/Test environments. * Database ...

Turing

Frontier Data Lead - RL Gyms

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Environments for Software Engineering / coding agents * UI-Environments for Computer-Use/Browser ... Systems thinking + Database/API design: ability to 'simulate' the data schema and API interface of ...

NAVA Software Solutions

Data Architect

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$59 - $76/hr

Lead database modernization initiatives, including migration from relational or legacy platforms to ... Partner with application, DevOps, and security teams to ensure end-to-end architectural alignment.

SmartFinancial

Senior DBA

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

Stabilize and Build Lead stabilization of existing database systems while designing and ... Cross-Functional Partnership Work closely with engineering, product, analytics, and infrastructure ...

SmartFinancial

Senior DBA

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

Stabilize and Build Lead stabilization of existing database systems while designing and ... Cross-Functional Partnership Work closely with engineering, product, analytics, and infrastructure ...

SmartFinancial

Senior DBA

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

Stabilize and Build Lead stabilization of existing database systems while designing and ... Cross-Functional Partnership Work closely with engineering, product, analytics, and infrastructure ...

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All JobsLead Database Engineer JobsLead Database Engineer Jobs in California

Lead Database Engineer information

See California salary details

$59.7K

$120.5K

$165.3K

How much do lead database engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead database engineer in California is $120,513.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,200.00 and $138,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Lead Database Engineers?

Lead Database Engineers are senior professionals responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex database systems within an organization. They oversee database architecture, ensure data security and integrity, and manage a team of database engineers or administrators. Their role often includes optimizing performance, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with other IT departments to support business needs. Lead Database Engineers also play a key part in setting best practices and ensuring compliance with data regulations.

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

To thrive as a Lead Database Engineer, you need deep expertise in database architecture, data modeling, performance tuning, and a strong background in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with major database management systems (such as Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL), cloud platforms, and certifications like Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator are highly valuable. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help drive team success and stakeholder collaboration. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring database reliability, scalability, and alignment with organizational goals.

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

AspectLead Database EngineerDatabase Administrator
CredentialsBS/MS in Computer Science or related field, certifications like Oracle Certified ProfessionalBS in Computer Science, certifications like Microsoft Certified Database Administrator
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and optimizing database systems, often in collaborative teamsMaintaining, backing up, and securing databases, ensuring system stability
Industry UsageUsed in tech, finance, healthcare for database development and architectureCommon across industries for database maintenance and support
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in database development and architectureFocus on database maintenance and operational support

The Lead Database Engineer primarily focuses on designing and developing database systems, while the Database Administrator manages and maintains existing databases. Both roles require similar credentials and are vital in database management, but they differ in scope and responsibilities within organizations.

How does a Lead Database Engineer typically collaborate with development and operations teams?

A Lead Database Engineer works closely with both development and operations teams to ensure databases are optimally designed, secure, and highly available. They often participate in architecture discussions, provide guidance on best practices for data modeling, and help troubleshoot performance issues during application development. Additionally, they coordinate with DevOps to automate database deployments and backups, ensure compliance with data governance policies, and facilitate smooth rollouts and migrations. This cross-functional collaboration is crucial for maintaining data integrity and supporting the scalability needs of the organization.
What are popular job titles related to Lead Database Engineer jobs in California? For Lead Database Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lead Database Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Database Engineer jobs in California are:
Lead Database Engineer jobs near you
Senior Staff Software Engineer/Database Engineer -- RELIANT Telemetry Platform / ETL / PostgreSQL

Senior Staff Software Engineer/Database Engineer -- RELIANT Telemetry Platform / ETL / PostgreSQL

Marvell

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$124K - $169K/yr

Other

Life, Retirement

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

About Marvell

Marvell's semiconductor solutions are the essential building blocks of the data infrastructure that connects our world. Across enterprise, cloud and AI, and carrier architectures, our innovative technology is enabling new possibilities.

At Marvell, you can affect the arc of individual lives, lift the trajectory of entire industries, and fuel the transformative potential of tomorrow. For those looking to make their mark on purposeful and enduring innovation, above and beyond fleeting trends, Marvell is a place to thrive, learn, and lead.

Your Team, Your Impact

Marvell is a leading provider of innovative technologies, including ultra-fast read channels, high-performance processors, leading edge transceivers, highly efficient analog designs, and powerful cryptographic engines. These solutions address all segments of the hard disk drive (HDD) and solid-state drive (SSD) electronics markets, providing complete solutions including controllers, product firmware, and reference board designs. Many of the same technologies have been utilized in Marvell system solutions products, powering PCs, servers, cloud, and enterprise systems.

What You Can Expect

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Database Engineer to help design, build, and scale the data infrastructure behind the RELIANT Telemetry Platform, which processes real-time telemetry data from data center and AI infrastructure. This role focuses on high-volume data ingestion, storage, processing, and analytics, working closely with firmware, systems, and application teams.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design and build scalable database systems to support high-volume, time-series telemetry data.
  • Develop and maintain ETL (extract, transform, load) pipelines to ingest, normalize, and aggregate telemetry data from multiple sources.
  • Optimize database schemas, queries, indexing, and retention strategies for performance and reliability.
  • Build Python-based services and APIs for data processing, analytics, and customer integrations.
  • Support real-time and historical analytics, including data validation and quality checks.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (firmware, hardware, DevOps, and UI) to define data requirements and integrations.
  • Provide technical leadership, design guidance, and mentorship to other engineers.

What We're Looking For

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in backend or database engineering roles.
  • Strong experience with relational and/or time-series databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, TimescaleDB, InfluxDB).
  • Hands-on experience building ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) data pipelines and large-scale data processing systems.
  • Advanced Python development experience, including APIs and data processing libraries.
  • Solid understanding of database performance tuning, scaling, and reliability.
  • Experience working in Linux environments and with Git-based workflows.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with telemetry, monitoring, or observability platforms.
  • Familiarity with streaming or messaging systems (e.g., Kafka).
  • Knowledge of containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes).
  • Background in data center, networking, or infrastructure systems.

Expected Base Pay Range (USD)

132,500 - 196,140, $ per annum

The successful candidate's starting base pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location and market conditions. The expected base pay range for this role may be modified based on market conditions.

Additional Compensation and Benefit Elements

Marvell is committed to providing exceptional, comprehensive benefits that support our employees at every stage - from internship to retirement and through life's most important moments. Our offerings are built around four key pillars: financial well-being, family support, mental and physical health, and recognition. Highlights include an employee stock purchase plan with a 2-year look back, family support programs to help balance work and home life, robust mental health resources to prioritize emotional well-being, and a recognition and service awards to celebrate contributions and milestones. We look forward to sharing more with you during the interview process.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Any applicant who requires a reasonable accommodation during the selection process should contact Marvell HR Helpdesk at TAOps@marvell.com.

Interview Integrity

To support fair and authentic hiring practices, candidates are not permitted to use AI tools (such as transcription apps, real-time answer generators like ChatGPT or Copilot, or automated note-taking bots) during interviews.

These tools must not be used to record, assist with, or enhance responses in any way. Our interviews are designed to evaluate your individual experience, thought process, and communication skills in real time. Use of AI tools without prior instruction from the interviewer will result in disqualification from the hiring process.

This position may require access to technology and/or software subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, applicants must be eligible to access export-controlled information as defined under applicable law. Marvell may be required to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce and/or the U.S. Department of State. Except for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), all applicants may be subject to an export license review process prior to employment.

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