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Principal Database Engineer Jobs in Atlanta, GA (NOW HIRING)

Relay Payments

Principal Software Engineer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$129K - $174K/yr

About The Role As a Principal Software Engineer at Relay, you'll be responsible for building the ... PostgreSQL or equivalent relational database * Service-oriented architectures * API design and ...

Cox Communications, Inc.

Principal Architect

Atlanta, GA · On-site +1

$163K - $272K/yr

... databases, model selection, agent-based architecture, data pipeline, AI-assisted PDLC, etc.) * Experience working within DevOps cultures, with a focus on process improvement, automation, and ...

Cox Communications, Inc.

Principal Architect

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$163K - $272K/yr

... databases, model selection, agent-based architecture, data pipeline, AI-assisted PDLC, etc.) * Experience working within DevOps cultures, with a focus on process improvement, automation, and ...

PowerPlan, Inc

Principal Software Developer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

Relational database engineering (schema design, SQL optimization, Azure SQL/SQL Server) * Azure cloud services (App Services, AKS, Service Bus, API Management) * Achieve consistent sprint throughput ...

Worky

Principal Software Developer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Relational database engineering (schema design, SQL optimization, Azure SQL/SQL Server) * Azure cloud services (App Services, AKS, Service Bus, API Management) * Achieve consistent sprint throughput ...

Ministrybrands

Principal Software Engineer

Alpharetta, GA · On-site

$131K - $176K/yr

As a Principal Software Engineer , you will serve as one of the organization's most senior ... Optimize database performance through schema design, indexing strategies, query optimization ...

PowerPlan, Inc

Principal Software Developer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

Relational database engineering (schema design, SQL optimization, Azure SQL/SQL Server) * Azure cloud services (App Services, AKS, Service Bus, API Management) * Achieve consistent sprint throughput ...

Truist

Principal Platform Engineer

Atlanta, GA

Applies modern software engineering practices including API-first design, micro services ... database, storage, platform, computing, or middleware domains. 3. Develops and applies advanced ...

Gasoc

Power System Operations Engineer III-VI

Tucker, GA · On-site

$120 - $160/hr

As a Principal Engineer, you will advise on ECS performance, backup, maintainability, security ... Coordinate with ECS system and database administrators to support compliance with ECS security ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsPrincipal Database Engineer JobsPrincipal Database Engineer Jobs in Atlanta, GA

Principal Database Engineer information

See Atlanta, GA salary details

$87.5K

$133.2K

$185.1K

How much do principal database engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal database engineer in Atlanta, GA is $133,217.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,800.00 and $148,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal database engineer?

A Principal Database Engineer is a senior-level professional responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex database systems within an organization. They provide technical leadership, guide best practices for database architecture, and ensure data integrity, security, and scalability. Principal Database Engineers often mentor other team members, set database standards, and collaborate with stakeholders to align database solutions with business goals. Their expertise is essential for managing large-scale data environments and optimizing performance.

How does a principal database engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams on large-scale projects?

As a Principal Database Engineer, you will frequently collaborate with software developers, data architects, DevOps engineers, and business analysts to design and optimize database solutions. Your role often involves leading technical discussions, setting database standards, and ensuring best practices are followed throughout the project lifecycle. You'll also mentor junior team members and participate in code reviews, while acting as the main point of contact for complex database-related issues. This collaborative approach ensures that database architectures are aligned with both technical requirements and business goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal database engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Principal Database Engineer, you need deep expertise in database architecture, advanced SQL, performance tuning, and a strong background in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with major database platforms (such as Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQL Server), cloud technologies, and relevant certifications like AWS Certified Database - Specialty are typically required. Leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication are critical soft skills for guiding teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills ensure robust, scalable database solutions that support business goals and maintain data integrity.

What are popular job titles related to Principal Database Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA?

For Principal Database Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Principal Database Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA look for?

The top searched job categories for Principal Database Engineer jobs in Atlanta, GA are:

Principal Database Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Database Engineer job openings in Atlanta, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,217 per year, or $64 per hour.

Principal Software Engineer

Relay Payments

Atlanta, GA • On-site

$129K - $174K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About Relay Payments
Relay Payments is a modern, digital payment network for the trucking and logistics industries. Trusted by more than 500,000 drivers, 100,000 carriers, and 3,000 truck stops nationwide, Relay has brought efficiency and automation to an industry historically reliant on cash, checks, and cards. Relay has joined forces with industry leaders like Pilot, Love's, Maverik, Schneider, Old Dominion, Lineage Logistics, and others to provide secure, reliable over-the-road transactions. Founded in 2019, our Atlanta-based fintech includes more than 150 team members and has won awards for product innovation, customer service, and organizational culture. For more information about Relay, visit relaypayments.com.
About The Role
As a Principal Software Engineer at Relay, you'll be responsible for building the next generation payments network for an industry that has seen little innovation in the last 50 years. You'll help drivers save hours each week by making transactions painless. You'll help everyone in the transaction chain get visibility into spending, perform accurate accounting, and save money. You'll build fast and reliable payment products for an industry that keeps America running.
You will play a critical role in designing resilient systems, driving complex projects to completion, mentoring engineers, and solving some of the most challenging technical problems across Relay's platform. This role is ideal for an engineer who combines deep technical expertise with strong ownership, sound judgment, and the ability to influence technical direction.
  • Design, implement, and deliver high-quality systems, services, APIs, libraries, and infrastructure.
  • Take direct ownership of complex project work, including breaking down ambiguous requirements, identifying risks, sequencing technical execution, and driving work through completion.
  • Write production code and contribute hands-on across the stack, with a strong focus on Golang.
  • Lead by example through strong engineering execution, thoughtful design, clear communication, and reliable delivery.
  • Partner with product managers, designers, engineering managers, and other engineers to translate business needs into practical, maintainable technical solutions.
  • Mentor and coach other developers through design discussions, code reviews, technical guidance, pairing, and feedback.
  • Identify and proactively address technical debt, architectural risks, operational issues, and opportunities to improve developer productivity.
  • This role works a hybrid schedule and is in-office at Cobb Galleria Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What Makes You a Great Fit
  • 10+ years of software engineering experience, with preference for candidates who have worked in payments, FinTech, logistics, financial systems, or other complex transactional domains.
  • A proven track record of personally delivering complex software projects, not just designing or advising on them.
  • Strong hands-on backend engineering experience, especially with service-oriented systems, APIs, data modeling, and distributed system design.
  • Ability to take ambiguous or complex problems, clarify the path forward, and execute through delivery.
  • Deep experience analyzing and resolving difficult technical problems across systems, services, data flows, and integrations.
  • Strong ownership mindset with the ability to drive projects forward across uncertainty, dependencies, and changing priorities.
  • Detail-oriented systems thinker who can work independently, collaborate effectively, and bring clarity to complex situations.
  • Strong judgment in balancing business needs, technical quality, delivery timelines, reliability, and long-term maintainability.
  • Experience architecting solutions thoughtfully by limiting unnecessary complexity, justifying decisions, and clearly articulating tradeoffs.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical topics to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • A strong understanding of software testing strategies, observability, incident prevention, and production support practices.

Systems and Frameworks
As part of this role, you will be working with several systems and frameworks at Relay. We are looking for engineers who have deep experience in the following areas:
  • Golang
  • PostgreSQL or equivalent relational database
  • Service-oriented architectures
  • API design and integration patterns
  • Dependency Injection and Inversion of Control
  • SOLID architecture design principles
  • Distributed systems, reliability, scalability, and performance optimization
  • Automated testing, CI/CD, and production observability
  • Preferred: React front-end web application knowledge

About Our Team
  • We work in small, cross-functional teams that include product managers, designers, and QA.
  • We value continuous learning in our everyday work.
  • We rely heavily on automated testing and CI.
  • We use agile development and lean startup principles and practices to deliver products.
  • Our stack: GoLang, PostgreSQL, Docker, AWS, React, React Native, TypeScript, git.

Our Core Values
  • Invent the Future - We embrace the spirit of invention, the idea that there's always a better way. Together we dream big, fail fast, drive forward, and find creative solutions where others see roadblocks. We prize grit, resilience and speed as we work to transform our industry and to move it into the future.
  • Own the Work -Our work is a source of personal pride and fulfillment. We're here because we relish a challenge and enjoy the exercise of proactively identifying and solving problems. We understand the power of accountability and are in constant pursuit of "more and better" for our customers, our partners and ourselves.
  • We're in it Together - We're all in, committed to, and driven by our shared ambition and vision; we understand that alignment and collaboration are imperative. We set aside our ego to actively sync with one another, becoming greater than the sum of our parts. We are consistently open and generous with information, clear, concise and direct in our communication.

Why Relay Payments
  • This is a game-changing chance to join one of Atlanta's best-funded, most well-positioned fintech start-ups.
  • We are generously sharing equity in the company - everyone's an owner!
  • We invest in your future with our 401K match program and dedicated personal/professional development funds.
  • Do what's best for your mental, physical and emotional health with our "Be Reasonable" PTO policy.
  • We offer competitive benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance.
  • And lots, lots more!

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