At T. Rowe Price, the Principal Database Platform Engineer leads the architecture, automation, and modernization of enterprise database platforms, with a strong emphasis on AWS cloud capabilities and cloud-native transformations. This senior technical role influences enterprise architecture, guides engineers across the organization, and mentors talent as the firm advances its modernization agenda. Located in Owings Mills, MD with a hybrid work setup, the position collaborates across multiple teams to deliver secure, scalable database services that support the company’s technology initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture and ongoing advancement of enterprise database platforms in cloud and hybrid environments, with an emphasis on AWS-managed services.
- Serve as the technical authority for AWS database platforms (Aurora PostgreSQL, Aurora MySQL, DynamoDB, Snowflake) and related services.
- Develop and enforce database platform standards, reusable reference architectures, and patterns to streamline adoption and minimize fragmentation.
- Design and execute migration strategies for traditional databases (Oracle, SQL Server) to cloud-native AWS solutions.
- Conduct hands-on engineering to build automation, tooling, and performance enhancements using Infrastructure as Code and database-native features.
- Automate provisioning, configuration, scaling, backup, recovery, and lifecycle management of databases via Terraform, CloudFormation, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Implement performance optimization techniques, including query tuning, indexing, capacity planning, and cost management for large-scale workloads.
- Integrate security, resiliency, compliance, and operational best practices into database platforms.
- Collaborate with Application, Platform, Cloud Engineering, Security, and Enterprise Architecture teams to align strategy and execution.
- Serve as a technical escalation point for complex database issues involving performance, scalability, availability, and migration.
- Mentor senior engineers and database professionals, guiding technical direction across the organization.
- Support Agile delivery by contributing to epics, stories, and iterative platform improvements tracked in Jira.
- Produce high-quality documentation (platform guides, design standards, runbooks) to enable self-service adoption.
- Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to engineers, leadership, and non-technical stakeholders.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a technical field (or equivalent experience) and 10+ years designing, building, and operating enterprise database platforms.
- Advanced expertise with cloud databases: Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL, Aurora MySQL, DynamoDB, Snowflake.
- Strong experience with traditional databases: Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server.
- Proven experience migrating legacy/on-premises databases to AWS, including re-platforming and modernization.
- Proficiency with database automation, Infrastructure as Code, performance tuning, high availability, disaster recovery, and backup strategies.
- Solid knowledge of cloud networking, IAM, and database security fundamentals.
- Experience integrating database platforms with CI/CD and DevSecOps pipelines.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of producing clear documentation and explaining technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Technologies
- AWS
- Aurora PostgreSQL
- Aurora MySQL
- DynamoDB
- Snowflake
- Oracle
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Terraform
- CloudFormation
- Jira
Benefits
- Competitive compensation
- Annual bonus eligibility
- A generous retirement plan
- Hybrid work schedule
- Health and wellness benefits, including online therapy
- Paid time off for vacation, illness, medical appointments, and volunteering days
- Family care resources, including fertility and adoption benefits
About the Team
The Database Platform Engineering team develops and maintains enterprise-grade database platforms that drive the firm’s modernization efforts. By delivering secure, scalable, and standardized database solutions, the team enables adoption of modern technologies across the organization.
Role Summary
The Principal Database Platform Engineer is the highest-level individual contributor, providing technical leadership in database platform architecture, automation, and modernization. The role emphasizes advancing cloud database capabilities, particularly within AWS, and supports the firm’s move toward cloud-native environments. It influences enterprise architecture, senior technologists, and engineering leaders, with a focus on platform modernization, automation, reusable services, and scalable enterprise solutions.
Business Knowledge & Impact
This role requires a deep understanding of how modern database platforms drive business agility, scalability, and performance. It involves leading modernization of legacy data estates and guiding cloud database transformations, balancing standardization, governance, risk management, and developer productivity. Experience in regulated, risk-sensitive environments with strong data protection and availability standards is essential, as is operating at a principal engineering level to influence long-term technology strategy.
Preferred
- Cloud or database certifications
- Experience in large, global financial institutions
FINRA Requirements
FINRA licenses are not required and will not be supported for this role.
Work Flexibility
This role is eligible for hybrid work, with up to three days per week from home.
Base Salary Ranges
- Maryland, Colorado, Washington and remote workers: $159,000 - $272,000
- Washington, D.C.: $175,000 - $299,000
- New York, California: $199,000 - $339,000
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
T. Rowe Price values diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture. The company aims to provide equal opportunity and fair, consistent treatment for all associates, fostering an environment where everyone can contribute their best work and grow within the organization.
