Job Description
About the Role
Nordstrom’s Database Platform Services team keeps the data infrastructure powering our business running — Oracle, MSSQL, and PostgreSQL at enterprise scale — while actively building the cloud-native database platform that will define the next decade. We’re looking for a Senior Cloud Database Engineer who brings AWS as their primary strength and genuine Oracle and MSSQL operational depth as a non-negotiable foundation.
This is not a pure cloud role. You’ll be the AWS subject matter expert on a team of seasoned DBAs, leading our cloud database platform buildout on RDS, Aurora PostgreSQL, and Aurora DSQL while also owning production responsibility for mission-critical Oracle and MSSQL systems through an active migration period. You’ll establish AWS standards from the ground up, mentor experienced engineers expanding into cloud-native practices, and carry accountability across both worlds.
What You’ll Do
AWS Cloud Platform Leadership
- Architect, deploy, and operate AWS database services with primary focus on RDS (Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL), Aurora PostgreSQL, and Aurora DSQL.
- Define enterprise-grade standards, governance frameworks, and deployment patterns for AWS database services at Nordstrom.
- Design backup, HA, and disaster recovery strategies meeting SLA and compliance requirements on AWS.
- Develop and own Terraform infrastructure-as-code for cloud database provisioning, parameter management, networking, and lifecycle automation.
- Lead knowledge transfer — run hands-on workshops, write runbooks, and actively mentor DPS engineers expanding into AWS cloud-native practices.
- Evaluate the broader AWS database services ecosystem (ElastiCache, DMS/SCT, DynamoDB, Redshift, and others) and guide adoption decisions.
- Monitor and optimize performance using CloudWatch, Performance Insights, and related AWS observability tooling.
Oracle, MSSQL & GoldenGate Operations
- Support Oracle 19c/21c on-premises fleet: patching cadences, OEM management, AWR/statspack analysis, RAC/ASM operations, and performance diagnostics.
- Manage MSSQL Server environments: HA/AG, backup strategy, performance tuning, security hardening, and P1 incident ownership.
- Operate GoldenGate CDC pipelines including Extract/Replicat configuration, OCI GoldenGate managed service, and GG4BD delivery to Confluent Cloud Kafka.
- Participate in on-call rotation and lead P1/P2 incident response across AWS and on-premises platforms.
- Partner with application teams on schema change management, query optimization, and database architecture reviews.
What You Bring
Required
- 7+ years of database engineering experience with at least 3 years of AWS cloud database operations carrying production accountability.
- Deep AWS expertise with hands-on production experience in RDS, Aurora PostgreSQL, and Aurora DSQL: parameter tuning, HA topology, failover, and replication.
- Solid Oracle DBA skills at enterprise scale: 19c/21c administration, fleet patching, OEM, ASM, AWR/statspack, and performance diagnostics. Production-depth required, not incidental exposure.
- Operational MSSQL Server depth: HA/AG, T-SQL, backup/recovery, performance tuning, and independent P1 incident ownership.
- Production Terraform for real infrastructure — state management, module design, and plan/apply discipline.
- Proven ability to establish cloud database standards and best practices in an enterprise environment.
- Experience enabling a team through a technology transition: training, runbooks, workshops, or hands-on mentorship.
Strongly Preferred
- Production GoldenGate CDC experience: Extract/Replicat configuration, trail file management, GG4BD, and bounded recovery. DMS or equivalent CDC experience considered.
- AWS Database Specialty or Solutions Architect Professional certification.
- Experience with DMS and SCT for Oracle or MSSQL to Aurora PostgreSQL migrations.
- AWS observability tooling: CloudWatch, Performance Insights, RDS Enhanced Monitoring, or equivalent.
- CI/CD pipeline integration for database deployments.
Nice to Have
- Broader AWS database services: ElastiCache (Redis/Memcached), DynamoDB, Redshift, Neptune.
- AWS data ecosystem familiarity: S3, Glue, Athena, Kinesis, Lake Formation.
- OCI experience or certifications.
Why Nordstrom
- Be the founding AWS cloud database expert on a team of seasoned Oracle and MSSQL professionals who are genuinely invested in growing their skills — your knowledge transfer work will have real impact.
- Work on systems that matter: database infrastructure supporting one of retail’s most recognized brands at national scale.
- Technically interesting work in parallel: enterprise Oracle fleet operations, real-time GoldenGate CDC, and cloud-native AWS database design all at once.
- A role that keeps you hands-on technically while developing real mentorship and platform leadership experience.
- Competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a team that values operational depth over breadth of buzzwords.
We’ve got you covered…
Our employees are our most important asset and that’s reflected in our benefits. Nordstrom is proud to offer a variety of benefits to support employees and their families, including:
- Medical/Vision, Dental, Retirement and Paid Time Away
- Life Insurance and Disability
- Merchandise Discount and EAP Resources
A few more important points...
The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. There may be additional duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job.
For Los Angeles or San Francisco applicants: Nordstrom is required to inform you that we conduct background checks after conditional offer and consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with legal requirements per Los Angeles, Cal. Muni. Code 189.04 and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For additional state and location specific notices, please refer to the Legal Notices document within the FAQ section of the Nordstrom Careers site.
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation should contact the nearest Nordstrom location, which can be identified at www.nordstrom.com.
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Pay Range Details
The pay range(s) below has been provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different for other locations. Pay offers are dependent on the location, as well as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
$142,000.00 - $220,500.00 Annual
This position may be eligible for performance-based incentives/bonuses. Benefits include 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more. Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment. Learn more in the Nordstrom Benefits Overview by copying and pasting the following URL into your browser: https://careers.nordstrom.com/pdfs/Ben_Overview_17-19.pdf