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Senior Database Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Dev Technology

Senior Database Developer

Ashburn, VA · Hybrid

$110K - $150K/yr

Senior Database Developer Job #1081 Clearance: Active Public Trust in DHS or a component of DHS Hybrid role, in Ashburn, VA 1-2 days per week What You'll Be Doing: The Senior Database Developer will ...

Maximus

Database Engineer

VA · On-site +1

... issues under senior guidance. - Execute database backup, recovery, and restoration processes ... senior database engineers with performance tuning, optimization, and ongoing improvement ...

Astor & Sanders

Senior Database Developer

Mclean, VA · Remote

$120K - $140K/yr

Senior Database Developer Astor & Sanders Corporation (Astor) is an award-winning IT solutions provider headquartered in McLean, VA seeking a Senior Database Developer . This is a full-time and ...

Astor & Sanders

Senior Database Developer

Mclean, VA · Remote

$120K - $140K/yr

Senior Database Developer Astor & Sanders Corporation (Astor) is an award-winning IT solutions provider headquartered in McLean, VA seeking a Senior Database Developer . This is a full-time and ...

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All JobsDatabase Engineer JobsSenior Database Engineer JobsSenior Database Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Senior Database Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$91.7K

$143K

$198.1K

How much do senior database engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior database engineer in Washington, DC is $143,026.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges senior database engineers face when managing large-scale databases, and how are they typically addressed?

Senior Database Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring database performance under heavy loads, maintaining data integrity during migrations, and optimizing queries for efficiency. Addressing these issues usually involves proactive monitoring, implementing indexing strategies, and collaborating closely with development teams to design scalable database schemas. Regularly updating skills to keep up with new database technologies and security best practices is also essential for tackling these challenges effectively.

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

AspectSenior Database EngineerDatabase Administrator
Primary FocusDesigning, developing, and optimizing database systemsMaintaining, backing up, and securing databases
Skills & CertificationsSQL, database architecture, performance tuning, certifications like Oracle or Microsoft SQL ServerDatabase management, backup/recovery, security, certifications like Oracle DBA or Microsoft Certified Database Administrator
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, data engineering projects, system designOperational teams, system maintenance, troubleshooting
Industry UsageUsed across tech, finance, healthcare for database developmentCommon in enterprise IT, government, and large organizations for database upkeep

While both roles work closely with databases, a Senior Database Engineer primarily focuses on designing and optimizing database systems, whereas a Database Administrator handles daily maintenance, security, and backups. The roles complement each other but differ in scope and responsibilities.

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

A Senior Database Engineer needs advanced knowledge of database architecture, SQL, performance tuning, and a degree in computer science or a related field. Expertise in tools like Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, database clustering, and relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate are typical requirements. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help them excel in managing complex data environments and collaborating with development teams. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring robust, scalable, and secure data solutions that meet organizational needs.

What is a senior database engineer?

A Senior Database Engineer is an experienced IT professional responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, and optimizing database systems within an organization. They ensure databases are secure, reliable, and perform efficiently to meet business needs. Senior Database Engineers often lead projects, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with developers and system administrators to support data-driven applications. Their expertise is crucial for data integrity, scalability, and disaster recovery planning.
What are the most commonly searched types of Database Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Database Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Database Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Senior Database Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Database Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Database Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Senior Database Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Database Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,026 per year, or $68.8 per hour.

Senior Database Engineer (SQL Server + MongoDB)

Technology Company

Reston, VA • On-site

$110K - $149K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Database Engineer to own and improve our production data systems across SQL Server and MongoDB in a 24/7 environment.
This role focuses on performance, reliability, security, and proactive database management.


Responsibilities

- Diagnose and resolve database performance issues (SQL Server & MongoDB)
- Optimize queries, indexing, and data access patterns
- Own monitoring, alerting, and database health
- Design and maintain backup and recovery processes
- Support high availability and scalability
- Implement and maintain database security best practices (access control, auditing, patching)
- Partner with developers on schema design and optimization
- Lead investigation of production incidents


Requirements

- 6+ years SQL Server experience in production
- Strong MongoDB experience (performance tuning, indexing, replication)
- Experience with database security and access management
- Proven production troubleshooting experience
- Experience with 24/7 systems


Nice to Have

- Azure or other cloud experience
- Monitoring tools
- Scripting (PowerShell, Python)
- Experience with database security best practices (access control, encryption, auditing)