Engineer-Database

Job Description

We are seeking an Engineer-Database who will be a highly hands-on technical contributor responsible for designing, coding, building, and operating database solutions that support the organization’s strategic goals. This role involves significant ‘hands-on keyboard’ time—writing code, configuring systems, performing technical troubleshooting, and building production-ready solutions.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate experience in database optimization, indexing strategies, replication, clustering, and cloud-based database platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Hands-on Engineering and Development

• Write clean, efficient, maintainable code in alignment with engineering standards.
• Build, test, and deploy new features, components, and services.
• Conduct hands-on debugging, root-cause analysis, and performance tuning.
• Develop scripts, automations, and tools to improve system efficiency and reliability.
• Create prototypes and proof-of-concept solutions with minimal supervision.

System Implementation and Support

• Configure, integrate, and maintain applications, cloud services, and infrastructure.
• Monitor system health and proactively address performance or reliability issues.
• Troubleshoot incidents in real time and provide hands-on operational support.
• Implement security controls, patches, and updates directly within the environment.

Technical Collaboration

• Participate actively in code reviews, pairing sessions, and technical design discussions.
• Translate business requirements into technical solutions and deliverables.
• Collaborate closely with product, QA, data, cloud, and infrastructure teams to deliver working solutions end-to-end.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Identify opportunities for automation and hands-on process improvements.
• Evaluate new tools, frameworks, and technologies through direct technical experimentation.
• Contribute to engineering best practices, documentation, and reusable code libraries.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent experience.
• Strong hands-on experience writing code, building systems, or configuring technical platforms.
• Proficiency in one or more programming or scripting languages (e.g., Python, Java, JavaScript, C#, PowerShell).
• Experience using version control, CI/CD pipelines, and modern development toolchains.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex issues across applications, systems, and infrastructure.

Qualifications Preferred

• Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP) and infrastructure-as-code tools.
• Familiarity with containers, Kubernetes, or DevOps automation.
• Exposure to cybersecurity principles and secure coding practices.
• Experience working in agile, global, or fast-paced technology environments.

Key Competencies

• Hands-On Technical Execution
• Problem Solving & Debugging
• Innovation Through Experimentation
• Collaboration & Communication
• Continuous Learning
• Systems Thinking
• Technical Resilience & Adaptability

Work Environment

This role operates within a highly collaborative engineering culture with emphasis on direct build, code, and technical delivery. It involves hybrid and global team interaction as needed.

About Us

With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, NSF leverages science and innovation to improve human and planet health. We provide science-driven, independent testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services and develop the very standards that drive the food, water, and life sciences industries worldwide. We empower our clients to navigate shifting regulations to improve consumer health, safety, and quality of life.

One of our core values is We Are One NSF. This means that while we’re one team, we embrace the cultural, ethnic, language, and demographic diversity that reflects the societies in which we live and work.

Come join a team that makes a difference in the world. More information about NSF can be found at nsf.org.

NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF employee by a third-party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement between NSF and said third-party agency will become the sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.

About The Team

We support NSF employees with secure, reliable and innovative technology solutions backed by excellent customer service.

Key skills/competency

• Database Optimization
• Cloud Platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP)
• Scripting/Programming (Python, Java, C#)
• CI/CD and Version Control
• Troubleshooting and Debugging
• System Implementation
• Replication and Clustering
• Infrastructure as Code
• DevOps Automation
• Cybersecurity Principles