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Staff Database Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Staff Database Engineer I) with experience managing large-scale, mission-critical environments that require zero downtime. As part of the SHEIN DBRE team, you will play a key role in ensuring the ...

Staff Database Engineer I) with experience managing large-scale, mission-critical environments that require zero downtime. As part of the SHEIN DBRE team, you will play a key role in ensuring the ...

About the Role We're looking for a Staff Database Engineer to join our team during an exciting phase of growth. In this role, you'll be responsible for database architecture, database reliability ...

Staff Database Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$190K - $286K/yr

Role Overview As a Staff Database Engineer on the Engineering team at Harvey, you will define how our database infrastructure operates and evolves across our legal AI platform. Harvey runs a global ...

As a Staff Database Engineer on the Data Platforms team, you will partner closely with engineering leadership to prioritize initiatives that align service operations with business goals. You will be ...

The Role We are looking for a Staff Database Engineer to take primary ownership of the reliability, availability, and recoverability of our platform's large PostgreSQL environment. Our PostgreSQL ...

We are seeking a highly skilled Staff Database Engineer to help product teams store and access data effectively at scale. You will be the default place product engineers turn to for "which database ...

Staff Database Engineer

California, MO · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Programming and scripting: Lambda, API Gateway, Python, Java, Bash * Database design for relational and non-relational data stores * Database operations with AWS DynamoDB, AWS DocumentDB, Cassandra ...

$200 - $250/hr

The Role We are looking for a Staff Database Engineer to take primary ownership of the reliability, availability, and recoverability of Chaturbate's large PostgreSQL environment. Our PostgreSQL ...

As a Staff Database Engineer on the Data Platforms team, you will partner closely with engineering leadership to prioritize initiatives that align service operations with business goals. You will be ...

As a Staff Database Engineer on the Data Platforms team, you will partner closely with engineering leadership to prioritize initiatives that align service operations with business goals. You will be ...

ACV Auctions is looking for a Staff Engineer, Database to join our ACV MAX Engineering team and lead the evolution of the data platform behind our SaaS product, MAX Digital. This role will focus on ...

ACV Auctions is looking for a Staff Engineer, Database to join our ACV MAX Engineering team and lead the evolution of the data platform behind our SaaS product, MAX Digital. This role will focus on ...

ACV Auctions is looking for a Staff Engineer, Database to join our ACV MAX Engineering team and lead the evolution of the data platform behind our SaaS product, MAX Digital. This role will focus on ...

ACV Auctions is looking for a Staff Engineer, Database to join our ACV MAX Engineering team and lead the evolution of the data platform behind our SaaS product, MAX Digital. This role will focus on ...

You will be one of two staff-level database engineers, working directly with engineering leadership and partnering with platform, data, security, and product teams. The role carries a lot of autonomy ...

Posted today

You will be one of two staff-level database engineers, working directly with engineering leadership and partnering with platform, data, security, and product teams. The role carries a lot of autonomy ...

Posted today

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Staff Database Engineer information

See salary details

$60.5K

$122.1K

$167.5K

How much do staff database engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff database engineer in the United States is $122,112.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,500.00 and $140,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a staff database engineer do?

A Staff Database Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex database systems to ensure high performance, security, and reliability. They often lead database architecture decisions, optimize queries, and collaborate with software engineers to support application requirements. Additionally, they oversee data migrations, establish best practices, and may mentor junior engineers. Their expertise helps organizations manage large volumes of data efficiently and securely.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a staff database engineer?

To excel as a Staff Database Engineer, you need deep expertise in database architecture, SQL and NoSQL systems, performance tuning, and a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with tools like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, cloud database services, and certifications such as AWS Certified Database – Specialty are commonly expected. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help you effectively design solutions and coordinate with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure robust, scalable, and secure data infrastructures that support organizational goals and high system availability.

How does a staff database engineer typically collaborate with software development and DevOps teams?

As a Staff Database Engineer, you will frequently work alongside software developers to optimize database queries and ensure data models align with application requirements. Collaboration with DevOps teams is also common, especially for deploying database changes, automating backups, and maintaining high availability. Clear communication and documentation are essential, as you may lead database design reviews, help troubleshoot production issues, and establish best practices that support both rapid development and system stability.

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

AspectStaff Database EngineerDatabase Administrator
Primary FocusDesigning, developing, and optimizing database systemsMaintaining, securing, and backing up databases
Skills & CertificationsSQL, data modeling, performance tuning, often with certifications like Oracle or Microsoft SQL ServerDatabase management, backup/recovery, security, often with certifications like Oracle DBA or Microsoft Certified Database Administrator
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, data engineering projects, cloud platformsIT operations, support teams, data security teams
Industry UsageTech companies, finance, healthcare, any data-driven organizationLarge enterprises, government agencies, organizations with extensive data management needs

The main difference is that Staff Database Engineers focus on designing and building database systems, while Database Administrators primarily manage and maintain existing databases. Both roles require strong SQL skills and certifications, but their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

How do you become a staff database engineer?

To become a staff database engineer, candidates typically need extensive experience in database design, management, and optimization, often 8+ years in related roles. Advanced knowledge of SQL, data modeling, and familiarity with database management systems like Oracle, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL are essential, along with strong problem-solving and leadership skills. Earning relevant certifications and demonstrating the ability to lead complex projects can also support career advancement to this senior level.

How much money does a staff database engineer make?

A staff database engineer typically earns between $120,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often have advanced skills in database management, SQL, and cloud platforms, which can influence salary levels.

What is a staff database engineer?

A staff database engineer is a senior technical role responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining large-scale database systems. They often lead complex projects, optimize database performance, and collaborate with engineering teams, typically requiring expertise in SQL, data modeling, and database management tools.

What states have the most Staff Database Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Staff Database Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Staff Database Engineer jobs?

For Staff Database Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Staff Database Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,112 per year, or $58.7 per hour.

Staff Database Engineer

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

About SHEIN 

SHEIN is a global online fashion and lifestyle retailer, offering SHEIN branded apparel and products from a global network of vendors, all at affordable prices. Headquartered in Singapore, with more than 15,000 employees operating from offices around the world, SHEIN is committed to making the beauty of fashion accessible to all, promoting its industry-leading, on-demand production methodology, for a smarter, future-ready industry. 

Position Summary

We are seeking a Staff Database Engineer (Official Title: Staff Database Engineer I) with experience managing large-scale, mission-critical environments that require zero downtime. As part of the SHEIN DBRE team, you will play a key role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and security of our database infrastructure through automation and scalable solutions. Our team integrates DBA, SRE, and DBRE expertise to deliver highly available data services. We design resilient architectures to meet evolving business and data processing demands, prioritizing efficiency and system reliability. While each team member may have their preferred technologies, a deep understanding of database fundamentals-and how different database systems interact with applications and operating systems-is essential for success. This role requires collaboration across multiple customer environments and global teams. 

This role requires independent execution and the ability to manage critical production systems without direct supervision. Commitment to incident response and adherence to on-call responsibilities is essential. 

Job Responsibilities

  • Maintain scalable, reliable, and robust production database environments across various database systems, including MySQL, ClickHouse, and MongoDB.
  • Continuously monitor database health, proactively diagnose issues, and implement resolutions as needed. 
  • Optimize database performance through query tuning, index optimization, and performance diagnostics.
  • Develop and maintain database tools and automation scripts to streamline operations and reduce manual toil.
  • Collaborate with development teams and engineers to provide guidance on database design, best practices, and architectural decisions.
  • Manage database upgrades, migrations, and schema changes while ensuring minimal disruption and improved performance.
  • Triage and resolve database issues, driving incidents to resolution and implementing preventative measures.
  • Conduct capacity planning and benchmarking across multiple database technologies.
  • Ensure data integrity, high availability, security, and privacy compliance across all database environments.
  • Provide 24/7 escalated on-call support as part of a pager rotation.

Job Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
  • 4+ years of hands-on MySQL database management experience.
  • 4+ years of experience with Azure, AWS, or any other major cloud provider.
  • Strong understanding of distributed and replicated database architectures.
  • Proven troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
  • Experience in monitoring and analyzing system performance, identifying bottlenecks, and improving database reliability and scalability.
  • Proficiency in at least one scripting language (e.g., Golang, Shell); familiarity with Golang development is a plus.
  • Passion for solving scalability and performance challenges in large-scale environments.
  • Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure, especially during critical incidents.
  • Strong expertise in Linux operating systems, storage, networking, and related system principles.

Nice to Have

  • Bilingual fluency in Mandarin and English is highly preferred.
  • 5+ years of experience managing MySQL at scale in high-performance environments.
  • Experience with ClickHouse, MongoDB, or other distributed database systems.
  • Deep knowledge of database internals, including the ability to independently deploy and optimize open-source tools like Percona or MySQL source code.
  • Hands-on experience with Golang development or proficiency in other programming languages for automation.
  • Hands-on experience using multiple AI models (Claude Code, ChatGPT, Gemini) to solve real-world problems, including troubleshooting model limitations, comparing outputs, and applying prompt tuning strategies to improve result quality
  • Experience building AI-driven operations tools or platforms from scratch, covering requirements, architecture design, and production deployment.
  • Participated in team-wide AI tooling transformation initiatives; contributed to or established shared asset libraries covering Prompts, MCP integrations, and Skills.
  • Familiar with AI application frameworks such as LangChain and LlamaIndex, with practical experience integrating them with relational or vector databases.
  • Able to systematically structure and document database tuning knowledge into AI-consumable formats (knowledge bases, RAG corpora, Skill libraries), driving continuous improvement of team-wide tuning capabilities.

Benefits and Perks 

  • Bonus and RSU eligible
  • Healthcare (medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs) 
  • Health Savings Account with Employer Funding 
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent care) 
  • Company-Paid Basic Life/AD&D insurance 
  • Company-Paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability 
  • Voluntary Benefit Offerings (Voluntary Life/AD&D, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident) 
  • Employee Assistance Program 
  • Business Travel Accident Insurance 
  • 401(k) Savings Plan with discretionary company match and access to a financial advisor  
  • Vacation, paid holidays, floating holiday and sick days   
  • Employee discounts 
  • Free weekly catered lunch 
  • Dog-friendly office (available at select locations) 
  • Free gym access (available at select locations) 
  • Free swag giveaways 
  • Annual Holiday Party 
  • Invitations to pop-ups and other company events 
  • Complimentary daily office snacks and beverages

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