What You Will Do
This position will be filled either as a Database Administrator 3 or a Database Administrator 4, depending on the skills of the selected candidate(s).
Come join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The work we do at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) matters to our country and the world!
The PSS-1 Infrastructure and Data Services Team is seeking an experienced Database Administrator to support mission-critical Oracle environments that enable the Laboratory's Weapons Production mission. The Infrastructure and Data Services Team provides enterprise infrastructure supporting the Laboratory's production mission. Our database administrators work alongside Linux system administrators, Windows engineers, cybersecurity professionals, and software developers to deliver reliable, secure, and modern database services.
As a member of our team, you will administer enterprise database platforms throughout their lifecycle-from architecture and implementation through maintenance, performance tuning, security, automation, and operational support. You'll work closely with Windows and Linux system administrators, application developers, project managers, and customers to design reliable, secure, and highly available database solutions. This position offers opportunities to work on a diverse mix of technologies supporting both commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) applications and custom-developed systems while helping modernize the Laboratory's database infrastructure.
If you enjoy solving challenging technical problems, automating repetitive work, improving operational reliability, and working with a collaborative team supporting an important national mission, we'd like to hear from you!
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Install, configure, administer, patch, upgrade, and maintain Oracle and Microsoft SQL Server databases.
- Design and implement database, middleware, and application support solutions.
- Monitor and optimize database performance, availability, and reliability.
- Perform backup, recovery, cloning, migration, and disaster recovery activities.
- Troubleshoot complex database, application, operating system, and networking issues.
- Develop automation using SQL, PowerShell, Bash, Python, and/or similar scripting languages.
- Develop and maintain operational standards, documentation, and support procedures.
- Collaborate with customers, developers, and infrastructure teams to deliver secure and reliable services.
- Participate in architecture reviews, solution design, and project planning.
- Mentor junior staff and contribute to continuous process improvement.
Work Shift: This position will participate in rotating and weekend on call support for C-shift production systems.
Salary Range: While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grow into the full salary band over time.
- Database Administrator 3 Salary Range: $106,400 to $176,000
- Database Administrator 4 Salary Range: $117,200 to $195,400
#shiftwork
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements: Applicants must submit a comprehensive resume reflective of relevant experience that addresses the minimum job requirements and desired qualifications of the position below for full consideration.
- Education/Experience Requirements for the Database Administrator 3: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree and 8 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
- At this level, post-graduate coursework may be desirable.
- Education/Experience Requirements for the Database Administrator 4: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree and 12 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
- Post-graduate coursework and/or professional certification(s) and/or equivalent combination of education and experience may be expected.
- Additional Skills and Knowledge for the Database Administrator 3:
- Experience administering Oracle or other enterprise relational databases.
- Experience administering middleware (i.e., Tomcat, Oracle Access Manager, and WebLogic).
- Experience administering Oracle Fusion Middleware environments.
- Experience with Oracle WebLogic Scripting Tool (WLST) for administration and automation.
- Experience managing SSL/PKI certificates within enterprise application and middleware.
- Experience with database backup, recovery, patching, upgrades, performance tuning, and troubleshooting (Proficiency in Oracle Enterprise Manager preferred).
- Experience administering Linux and/or Windows Server operating systems.
- Experience developing automation using SQL and scripting languages (e.g., Bash, PowerShell, or Python).
- A working knowledge of networking fundamentals and security concepts.
- Strong communication and customer service skills.
- The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with technical teams.
- Additional Skills and Knowledge for the Database Administrator 4: In addition to the job requirements outlined for the Database Administrator 3 above, job requirements for the Database Administrator 4 include...
- Recognized technical expertise administering enterprise Oracle environments.
- Demonstrated experience designing complex database solutions and operational standards.
- Strong networking and security troubleshooting skills, specifically for middleware environments.
- Experience leading database modernization, migration, automation, and/or integration initiatives.
- Expert knowledge of SQL and scripting languages (e.g., Bash, PowerShell, or Python).
- Expert knowledge of Linux and/or Windows operating systems.
- The ability to independently lead complex technical efforts with minimal direction.
- The demonstrated ability to mentor technical staff and provide technical leadership across projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Qualifications We Desire:
- Advanced knowledge of Oracle Database 19c or newer.
- Proficiency with Oracle Enterprise Manager.
- Hands-on knowledge of RMAN, Data Guard, Always On Availability Groups, and/or comparable high-availability and recovery technologies.
- Proficiency with Ansible or other enterprise automation tools.
- A working knowledge of VMware and other virtualization technologies.
- Familiarity with enterprise monitoring and performance-management platforms.
- Knowledge of Agile methodologies and practices.
- Knowledge of ITIL service management principles and practices.
- The demonstrated ability to design and implement Kubernetes clusters supporting enterprise middleware and containerized application environments.
- A working knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server administration.
- Demonstrated technical leadership of enterprise database environments and complex database initiatives.
- The ability to develop database architectures and long-term operational strategies.
- The proven ability to establish and promote enterprise standards, policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Demonstrated leadership of automation initiatives and large-scale database migrations.
- The proven ability to support highly available, mission-critical production environments.
- Relevant professional certifications, advanced coursework, or specialized training in database administration, cloud technologies, automation, or enterprise infrastructure.
Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. This is not a Telework or Remote position. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Work Schedule: This position may/will require 24/7 coverage, which could/will involve working a shift/weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for the shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.
Position Commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 2 years.
Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High-Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and Vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50-mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2: Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-chg1-pgchg) for additional information.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular Position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: The Database Administrator 4 position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is pro-rated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.