Principal Database Administrator

Job Title: Principal Database Administrator

Location: State College, PA

Salary: $210,000–$230,000, based on experience and education

Clearance Required: Active and transferable DoD TS/SCI required; TS/SCI with CI Polygraph preferred

Talent Stack LLC is hiring a Principal Database Administrator for a confidential, defense-focused client supporting classified programs and mission-critical technologies.

This is an onsite role supporting secure database environments where reliability, performance, security, and compliance directly matter.

Talent Stack LLC is a woman-owned recruiting firm specializing in cleared and technical placements. We proudly represent a confidential, defense-focused client dedicated to solving mission-critical national security challenges.

This role includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 6 weeks of paid PTO
• Short-Term Disability
• 401(k) with 5% company match
• Up to $8,000 in relocation assistance
• Full benefits package available upon request

You will support classified programs where database reliability, security, performance, and compliance directly impact mission success. This role is ideal for a senior DBA who is comfortable working closely with systems and software engineers, translating customer needs into database solutions, and supporting backend systems in secure environments.

• Create, update, maintain, and manage backend databases and the code that interacts with them
• Identify and understand customer needs and translate them into viable database design solutions
• Apply strong database principles, theories, and concepts related to software engineering
• Partner with systems and software engineers to implement, modify, and support backend databases
• Perform database administration activities using the Linux command line
• Troubleshoot database issues related to Disaster recovery, Replication, Backups, Performance issues, Other database-related issues
• Support database security controls, audit requirements, and compliance standards
• Communicate technical concepts clearly across engineering and program teams
• Use strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills in a classified technical environment

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related STEM field
• 8+ years of professional-level Database Administration experience
• Internship experience does not count toward this requirement
• Experience with Relational Database Management Systems, including Oracle Exadata
• Experience working with systems and software engineers to implement and modify backend databases
• Linux command line experience for database administration activities
• Disaster recovery
• Replication
• Backups
• Performance issues
• Other database-related issues
• Experience with database security controls, audit, and compliance requirements
• Experience automating routine database administration tasks
• Current Security+ certification or ability to obtain Security+ within 90 days of start

Active and transferable DoD Top Secret/SCI security clearance is required prior to start date.
TS/SCI with CI Polygraph is preferred. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for the required security clearance.