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What does a senior database engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A senior database engineer specializes in designing and developing databases for a company. Among their responsibilities include identifying and understanding the company's needs, creating and maintaining database projects and programs, writing scripts, troubleshooting errors, fixing bugs, and performing upgrades. They must also provide technical support to employees, addressing and resolving issues promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a senior engineer, it is essential to lead and serve as a mentor to junior engineers while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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Senior database engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior database engineer resumes:

  • Lead multiple infrastructure planning and implementation including instance strategy, technical platform selection, architecture design, backup and recovery strategy.
  • Develop scripts in PL/SQL, UNIX shell scripts to facilitate database management.
  • Design and code PL/SQL packages to extract data from CDW/CDM repository and update database objects.
  • Develop many Java script functions for database administration.
  • Analyze and design Linux applications and MySQL databases host on Linux servers.
  • Develop bash, perl and python scripts as monitoring and maintenance tools.
  • Establish and enforce security (database, application, and Unix).
  • Apply CPU and PSU patches both manually and with grid control tools.
  • Create SSIS packages for data transformation, cleansing, caching, aggregation, staging, and transfer.
  • Schedule and monitor OEM job scripts for exports, hot backup, analyze schema, rebuild indexes.
  • Assist in a surge capacity to troubleshoot any manner of issues occurring on the client's production network.
  • Host SSIS, SSRS knowledge transfer, data quality issue meetings with the client on a weekly/biweekly basis.
  • Task with maintaining existing and creating new PL/SQL code in store procedures, function, packages and triggers.
  • Perform the tasks of maintaining development, test and production RDBMS environments and charge of the QA/UAT/Production code releases.
  • Create the test plans for validation the encryption works and work with the DBA team to define the implementation schedule.

Senior database engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 6% of Senior Database Engineers are proficient in AWS, Java, and ETL. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Senior Database Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • AWS, 6%

    Created MongoDB instances to expand the footprint from On-Premises to AWS Cloud.

  • Java, 5%

    Developed a Java Swing-based Report Manager component for CORBA-based Information Operations Planning Tool.

  • ETL, 5%

    Managed Package Configurations to efficiently deploy ETL Packages from Test Development Environment to Production Environment.

  • Linux, 5%

    Performed database performance tuning and implementation of data security on Oracle databases on Linux.

  • Database Design, 5%

    Join Application Team Design sessions to determine Database Requirements, for performing necessary Database Design/Modeling changes.

  • Troubleshoot, 4%

    Assisted in a surge capacity to troubleshoot any manner of issues occurring on the client's production network.

"aws," "java," and "etl" are among the most common skills that senior database engineers use at work. You can find even more senior database engineer responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior database engineer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "dbas must monitor a database system’s performance to determine when action is needed." Senior database engineers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "analyzed database architecture and schema layout to determine system and application bottlenecks. "

Communication skills. Many senior database engineer duties rely on communication skills. "most database administrators work on teams and need to communicate effectively with developers, managers, and other workers.," so a senior database engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior database engineer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "performed configuration and trouble-shooting support for db2 communication gateway product for midrange application and personal computer interfacing. "

Detail oriented. This is an important skill for senior database engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how senior database engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "working with databases requires an understanding of complex systems, in which a minor error can cause major problems." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a senior database engineer: "developed detailed etl specifications based on business requirements. ".

Problem-solving skills. senior database engineer responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "when database problems arise, administrators must troubleshoot and correct the problems." This resume example shows what senior database engineers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "resolved user issues related to interface and functional testing using sybase, unix and java. "

All senior database engineer skills

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Compare different senior database engineers

Senior database engineer vs. Database developer/database administrator

A database developer/database administrator specializes in designing and developing database programs and systems, maintaining and updating them regularly. They are in charge of understanding project needs and guidelines, establishing and implementing test systems to identify potential risks and issues, fixing and upgrading components, and storing data according to protocols. They may also produce and present reports to managers and participate in creating security and recovery plans to protect company data. Moreover, as a database developer/database administrator, it is vital to be proactive at dealing with issues while adhering to company standards.

The annual salary of database developer/database administrators is $37,205 lower than the average salary of senior database engineers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both senior database engineer and database developer/database administrator positions are skilled in java, etl, and linux.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior database engineer are more likely to require skills like "aws," "troubleshoot," "debugging," and "disaster recovery." On the other hand, a job as a database developer/database administrator requires skills like "ssis packages," "application development," "management system," and "c++." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Database developer/database administrators earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $109,613. On the other hand, senior database engineers are paid more in the internet industry with an average salary of $127,131.database developer/database administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than senior database engineers. In fact, database developer/database administrators are 4.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Senior database engineer vs. Database specialist

A database specialist is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the databases to maintain the confidentiality of data. Database specialists determine business requirements and manage multiple operating systems to build the database's efficient structures and feasibility. They also install security protection software tools and programs to prevent unauthorized access and potential leak of restricted information. A database specialist coordinates with the system engineers to improve existing databases and upgrade the network infrastructure for optimization.

A career as a database specialist brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a senior database engineer. In fact, database specialists salary is $45,898 lower than the salary of senior database engineers per year.A few skills overlap for senior database engineers and database specialists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "java," "etl," and "linux. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior database engineer resumes. While senior database engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "aws," "c #," "performance issues," and "debugging," database specialists use skills like "database management," "windows," "data entry," and "management system."

On average, database specialists earn a lower salary than senior database engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, database specialists earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $95,518. Whereas senior database engineers have higher pay in the internet industry, with an average salary of $127,131.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Database specialists tend to reach lower levels of education than senior database engineers. In fact, they're 15.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior database engineer vs. Consultant database administrator

Consultant database administrators maintain and monitor the health and security of the database systems used in different applications utilized by international offices. They create database management procedures including, backup programs, server maintenance, and program updates. These administrators also provide technical support for programs and design a disaster recovery protocol in case of a security breach. They are also in charge of creating accounts and assigning the security level of access for all the users in their network.

An average consultant database administrator eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of senior database engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to consultants database administrator earning a $20,218 lower average salary than senior database engineers.senior database engineers and consultants database administrator both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "etl," "linux," and "database design," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior database engineer is likely to be skilled in "aws," "java," "troubleshoot," and "rdbms," while a typical consultant database administrator is skilled in "project management," "db," "erp," and "management system."

Consultants database administrator make a very good living in the construction industry with an average annual salary of $105,138. On the other hand, senior database engineers are paid the highest salary in the internet industry, with average annual pay of $127,131.consultants database administrator typically earn lower educational levels compared to senior database engineers. Specifically, they're 8.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior database engineer vs. Database analyst

A database analyst is primarily responsible for devising strategies on how to handle a company's collection of data and information. Typically, they are in charge of designing and implementing databases, evaluating existing ones, and providing recommendations for improvement. They are also responsible for testing, populating, and maintaining databases, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Furthermore, as a database analyst, it is essential to adhere to the company's policies and regulations, all while coordinating with other administrators to make sure that all processes align with the company's goals.

Database analysts average a lower salary than the annual salary of senior database engineers. The difference is about $37,880 per year.According to resumes from senior database engineers and database analysts, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "java," "etl," and "linux. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "aws," "rdbms," "database administration," and "production environment" are skills that commonly show up on senior database engineer resumes. On the other hand, database analysts use skills like database management, data collection, windows, and database systems on their resumes.The manufacturing industry tends to pay the highest salaries for database analysts, with average annual pay of $94,516. Comparatively, the highest senior database engineer annual salary comes from the internet industry.In general, database analysts hold lower degree levels compared to senior database engineers. Database analysts are 10.8% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of senior database engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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