Vertafore is seeking a Cloud Database Architect to own the end-to-end architecture, technical strategy, and evolution of our Oracle and PostgreSQL platforms across AWS and hybrid environments. This role is accountable for defining reference architectures, driving standardization and automation, improving resilience and observability, and enabling scalable, cost-efficient database foundations for Tier-1 workloads.

This is a hybrid design authority as well as operations role. You will partner with Engineering, SRE, DBA and Platform teams to modernize how data platforms are built and run, and you will guide key decisions such as RDS vs RDS Custom vs EC2, HA/DR patterns, replication strategy, and scaling models.

Key Outcomes (What Success Looks Like)

Published and adopted database reference architectures for Oracle and PostgreSQL on AWS.
High-confidence HA/DR designs with validated RPO/RTO, predictable failover behavior, and tested runbooks.
Terraform-based Infrastructure as Code standards enabling repeatable provisioning and safe change control.
Improved operational signal quality (SLOs, actionable alerting) and measurable MTTR reduction.
Cost-optimized platforms with clear ownership of cost efficiency and licensing implications on AWS.

Core Responsibilities

Define and maintain reference architectures for Oracle and PostgreSQL across AWS (RDS, RDS Custom, EC2) and hybrid deployments.
Lead architecture reviews and make design decisions for HA/DR, replication, scaling, security, and data lifecycle patterns.
Own decision frameworks for when managed services are sufficient vs when EC2-level control is required (visibility, compliance, performance, and operational needs).
Drive modernization initiatives such as read scaling for reporting, workload isolation, and controlled retention/archival strategies.
Define migration and replication patterns (including CDC) using AWS DMS/SCT and other fit-for-purpose tooling.
Partner with engineering teams to move from reactive tuning to designed-for-scale architecture improvements.
Define database SLOs/SLAs, error budgets, and operational guardrails; standardize dashboards and golden signals for database health.
Improve alert signal-to-noise and incident response effectiveness through runbooks, escalation criteria, and post-incident RCA follow-through.
Lead technical direction during database incidents and drive preventative improvements based on validated root causes.
Architect and implement Terraform modules and standards for provisioning database infrastructure, networking, and security baselines.
Integrate database change workflows into CI/CD with automated validation, testing, and safe rollout/rollback practices.
Champion automation for patching, upgrades, backups, restores, and routine operational activities.
Lead advanced performance diagnostics and tuning for Oracle (AWR/ASH/ADDM) and PostgreSQL/Aurora (WAL, vacuum, bloat, partitioning, replication behavior).
Establish guardrails for heavy reporting workloads (scheduling, read replicas, resource governance) to protect Tier-1 operations.
Drive capacity planning and performance testing to ensure predictable behavior under growth scenarios.
Design secure-by-default platforms including encryption strategy (KMS/TDE), secrets management, auditing, and least-privilege access controls.
Ensure backup/recovery, retention, and access patterns align with compliance requirements and business risk posture.

Required Qualifications

15+ years in database engineering/architecture with deep expertise in Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MySQL.
3+ years designing and operating database platforms on AWS (RDS/RDS Custom/EC2) with a strong understanding of HA/DR tradeoffs.
Proven ability to lead architecture decisions spanning reliability, performance, security, and cost.
Strong Infrastructure as Code experience (Terraform preferred) and automation-first mindset.
Excellent stakeholder communication skills with the ability to influence engineering, SRE, DBA, and leadership.

Preferred

Experience with data replication and migration tooling (AWS DMS/SCT, CDC patterns, high-throughput replication).
Experience establishing observability standards (SLOs, dashboards, alert tuning) using CloudWatch/Dynatrace or similar platforms.
Relevant certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Oracle OCP) are a plus.

Why Vertafore is the place for you: *Canada Only

The opportunity to work in a space where modern technology meets a stable and vital industry
Medical, vision & dental plans
Life, AD&D
Short Term and Long Term Disability
Pension Plan & Employer Match
Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Education Assistance
Additional programs - Employee Referral and Internal Recognition

Why Vertafore is the place for you: *US Only

The opportunity to work in a space where modern technology meets a stable and vital industry
We have a Flexible First work environment! Our North America team members use our offices for collaboration, community and team-building, with members asked to sometimes come into an office and/or travel depending on job responsibilities. Other times, our teams work from home or a similar environment.
Medical, vision & dental plans

PPO & high-deductible options

Health Savings Account & Flexible Spending Accounts Options:

Health Care FSA
Dental & Vision FSA
Dependent Care FSA
Commuter FSA

Life, AD&D (Basic & Supplemental), and Disability
401(k) Retirement Savings Plain & Employer Match
Supplemental Plans - Pet insurance, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident Insurance
Parental Leave & Adoption Assistance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Education & Legal Assistance
Additional programs - Tuition Reimbursement, Employee Referral, Internal Recognition, and Wellness
Commuter Benefits (Denver)

The selected candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the job responsibilities, duties, skill, or working conditions. In addition, this document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will relationship.

Vertafore strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

The Professional Services (PS) and Customer Success (CX) bonus plans are a quarterly monetary bonus plan based upon individual and practice performance against specific business metrics. Eligibility is determined by several factors including: start date, good standing in the company, and actives status at time of payout.

The Vertafore Incentive Plan (VIP) is an annual monetary bonus for eligible employees based on both individual and company performance. Eligibility is determined by several factors including: start date, good standing in the company, and actives status at time of payout.

Commission plans are tailored to each sales role but common components include quota, MBO's and ABPMs. Salespeople receive their formal compensation plan within 30 days of hire.

Vertafore is a drug free workplace and conducts preemployment drug and background screenings.

We do not accept resumes from agencies, headhunters or other suppliers who have not signed a formal agreement with us.

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