Database Engineer II
Job description
About the role
Appian seeks a Database Engineer II to serve within the Public Sector Customer Success team. This role focuses on designing and maintaining the data architecture essential for Department of War initiatives. You will ensure system accuracy, high availability, and robust security for critical government operations. The team delivers solutions that enable modernization of legacy infrastructure. Success requires intensity and a commitment to shared responsibility.
Position Details
The position is based in McLean, VA, operating under an In-Office / Hybrid model. The compensation range is $128,300 to $143,000, with a maximum target of $157,000. This role involves ownership of the full data lifecycle for demanding public sector contracts.
Core Responsibilities
You will architect scalable database structures aligned with strict contractual obligations. Analyzing legacy schemas is essential to uncover incompatibilities and migration risks prior to cloud adoption. Translating existing stored procedures, triggers, and functions into target-specific dialects while preserving logic integrity forms a key part of the work. You will identify and correct hardcoded queries across application modules to meet new engine requirements.
Building reliable ETL pipelines to cleanse, convert, and transport data into the new environment is a primary duty. You will operate and tune enterprise database clusters to meet stringent availability and performance targets. Strengthening indexes and related objects accelerates queries without interrupting service continuity. Integrating database artifacts into CI/CD workflows stabilizes releases and enforces consistency.
Source control must guard designs, procedures, and ETL objects to maintain traceability throughout the lifecycle. You will also generate complex test data to drive automated functional and performance validation processes.
Requirements
A Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline is mandatory for this position. You must possess one or more years of hands-on data engineering experience with tables, views, procedures, and functions. Demonstrated fluency in both relational and NoSQL engines is required, along with mastery of SQL, MQL, and CQL.
Practical experience designing, planning, and delivering database platforms to business demands is necessary. Active DoD Secret clearance is required, and you must be a U.S. citizen to support public sector initiatives.
Additional Assets
Experience with orchestration and automation technologies within government settings is valued. Familiarity with the Appian platform, RDMS, NoSQL databases, and related tools such as Microsoft SQL Server, MariaDB, Postgres, Oracle, AWS Cloud, Snowflake, and Data Bricks is advantageous.
Please What you'll do
About the company
Appian Corporation builds software that automates workflows and coordinates AI agents to support structured decision-making. Teams use the platform to model processes, integrate systems, and deploy applications with configurable logic.
The company is based in McLean, Virginia, within the Dulles Technology Corridor. Roles focus on product development, engineering, and customer solutions, collaborating on designs that translate complex workflows into reliable, repeatable digital operations.
About the role
Appian is actively seeking a Database Engineer II to integrate within the Public Sector Customer Success organization, where the primary mission involves enabling critical Department of War initiatives. The individual in this position will be tasked with the design, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of robust data architectures that underpin high-stakes government operations. Success in this role demands a high degree of ownership over system accuracy, ensuring high availability, and enforcing robust security protocols at every layer of the data stack. The hired professional will work closely with engineering and mission teams to modernize legacy infrastructure and remove technical debt that has accumulated over time. This position requires a specific intensity and a deep commitment to shared responsibility across the product lifecycle. You will be a key contributor to translating complex customer requirements into scalable and reliable data solutions.
Position Details
This opportunity is located in McLean, Virginia, and follows an In-Office / Hybrid engagement model that requires physical presence in the office. The compensation package for this role is specified within the range of $128,300 to $143,000, with a maximum target compensation reaching $157,000, reflecting the level of expertise and responsibility required. The role encompasses ownership of the full data lifecycle, from initial design through deployment and retirement, for demanding public sector contracts. You will be expected to adhere to strict timelines and quality standards inherent to government service delivery.
Core Responsibilities
You will architect scalable database structures that align precisely with strict contractual obligations and regulatory requirements. Analyzing legacy schemas is essential to uncover incompatibilities and migration risks prior to cloud adoption and platform transitions. Translating existing stored procedures, triggers, and complex functions into target-specific SQL dialects while preserving logic integrity forms a cornerstone of your daily work. You will systematically identify and correct hardcoded queries distributed across various application modules to satisfy new engine requirements and performance mandates. Building reliable ETL pipelines to cleanse, convert, and transport data securely into the new environment is a primary duty that ensures data fidelity. You will operate and tune enterprise database clusters, including replication and failover mechanisms, to meet stringent availability and performance targets around the clock. Strengthening indexes, execution plans, and related database objects accelerates query performance without interrupting critical service continuity. Integrating database artifacts, scripts, and validation checks into CI/CD workflows stabilizes releases and enforces consistency across development cycles. Source control must rigorously guard database designs, procedures, and ETL objects to maintain complete traceability throughout the entire lifecycle. You will also generate complex synthetic and realistic test data sets to drive automated functional, regression, and performance validation processes effectively.
Requirements
A Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline such as computer science, information technology, or engineering is mandatory for this position. You must possess one or more years of hands-on data engineering experience specifically involving tables, views, stored procedures, functions, and triggers. Demonstrated fluency in both relational engines like SQL Server and Oracle, as well as NoSQL engines, is a strict prerequisite for success. Mastery of SQL, MQL, and CQL is required to interact with diverse data stores and query languages. Practical experience designing, planning, provisioning, and delivering database platforms that meet demanding business needs is necessary for this role. Active DoD Secret clearance is required, and you must be a U.S. citizen to support public sector initiatives and handle classified information. You must be able to pass a federal background investigation and maintain eligibility for access.
Nice to have
Experience with orchestration and automation technologies within government settings, such as scripting frameworks and deployment tools, is highly valued. Familiarity with the Appian platform, relational database management systems, NoSQL databases, and related enterprise tools such as Microsoft SQL Server, MariaDB, Postgres, Oracle, AWS Cloud, Snowflake, and Data Bricks is considered advantageous. Knowledge of data modeling techniques, data warehousing concepts, and extract, transform, load methodologies will further support your effectiveness in this position.
About the company
Appian Corporation builds software that automates workflows and coordinates AI agents to support structured decision-making across complex enterprise environments. Teams utilize the low-code platform to model intricate business processes, integrate disparate systems, and deploy applications with configurable logic that adapts to changing needs. The company operates from its headquarters in McLean, Virginia, within the Dulles Technology Corridor, a hub for government technology contractors. Roles at the company focus on product development, engineering, and customer solutions, fostering collaboration on designs that translate complex workflows into reliable, repeatable digital operations.
To ensure you are fully informed regarding the responsibilities, compensation structure, and eligibility criteria, please apply on the official posting. The official posting will contain the most current and accurate details concerning the duties expected of a Verification of location specifics, whether hybrid or in-office, and confirmation of the compensation band is essential before proceeding. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the official apply page to validate the employment type, schedule expectations, and any location-based constraints. The recruitment team relies on direct communication through the official portal, so all candidate submissions and inquiries should be routed accordingly. Confirming these details protects both the applicant and the hiring organization by preventing misunderstandings down the line. This role supports the strategic growth of the public sector division and requires commitment to shared ownership of mission-critical outcomes.