Senior Database Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Sr. Database Engineer to design, build, and support the data infrastructure that powers our applications and services. This role bridges traditional on-premises database administration with modern cloud-native data architecture, requiring hands-on expertise across both relational and non-relational platforms. The ideal candidate will serve as a technical advisor to development teams, helping select and implement the right data layer for new services while maintaining the performance, security, and resiliency of existing systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with software engineering teams during the design phase of new services to recommend the appropriate data store and architecture based on access patterns, consistency requirements, scalability, and cost.
• Design, deploy, and manage data layers across AWS (Amazon Web Services), including relational, non-relational, search, and caching technologies.
• Administer, tune, and support SQL Server and Oracle databases in on-premises environments, including backup/recovery, high-availability, performance tuning, patching, and capacity planning.
• Administer Snowflake cloud data warehouse environments, including security control enforcement, development of zero copy clone pipelines, and cost governance.
• Develop and enforce data architecture standards, naming conventions, and best practices across on-prem and cloud environments.
• Monitor database health and performance across all platforms; proactively identify and resolve bottlenecks, replication issues, and capacity constraints.
• Implement and maintain data security controls, including encryption at rest/in transit, access management, and compliance with internal and regulatory data-handling requirements.
• Build and maintain automation for provisioning (IaC), monitoring, backup, and maintenance of database platforms in Cloud environments.
• Participate in on-call rotation for database-related incidents.
• Document database architecture, data flows, and operational runbooks.
• Collaborate across business units on data migrations, integrations, and modernization initiatives.
• Continuously identify process improvement opportunities, including the reduction of manual tasks and elimination of human error through automation.
• Perform periodic evidence gathering and reviews in support of SOX IT general control objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong experience working with AWS-managed data services, including several of the following: DynamoDB, DocumentDB, RDS (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server), OpenSearch/Elasticsearch, and ElastiCache.
• Hands-on experience administering SQL Server and Oracle databases in highly available, on-premises environments leveraging AOAG SQL Clusters and Oracle DataGuard.
• Hands-on experience with Snowflake administration.
• Strong understanding of relational database design, normalization, indexing strategies, and query optimization.
• Working knowledge of NoSQL and search-engine data modeling concepts (key-value, document, and search-index patterns).
• Strong experience advising development teams on data architecture decisions‚ including trade-offs between SQL and NoSQL, caching strategies, and search indexing.
• Proficiency with SQL, PowerShell, and Bash scripting.
• Solid experience with Terraform (IaC) for provisioning cloud data resources.
• Understanding of data security, access control, and compliance principles as they apply to database environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• AWS certification(s) relevant to data/database services (e.g. AWS Certified Database‚ AWS Specialty, AWS Certified Solutions Architect).
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines as they relate to database schema changes and deployments.
• Experience developing Ansible playbooks to support database maintenance operations.
• Experience supporting hybrid architectures that bridge legacy on-prem systems with cloud-native services.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• New services are consistently paired with the right data layer from the start, reducing costly re-architecture down the line.
• Attention to detail and ability to deliver solutions to complex problems in a timely manner.
• Collaboration across business units to achieve a common goal to grow the business.
• Development teams view this role as a trusted advisor for data architecture decisions.
• On-prem and cloud database environments run reliably, securely, and within performance SLAs.
• Documentation and standards make it easier for the broader team to operate and troubleshoot the data layer.
• Reliance on developing supportable automation pipelines to reduce repeated manual tasks.

Compensation & Benefits

Estimated Starting Range: $95,000 to $149,000 per year

(Note: The salary range listed above is specific to the local cost of labor for our Denver, CO office.)

The posted salary range represents the good-faith estimate of what Starz reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of initial hire. Individual compensation decisions are based on a variety of job related, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, specialized skills, qualifications, education, and specific office location.

Total Rewards Package: In addition to base salary, full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Our time-off program includes paid company holidays annually, accrued vacation time (with accrual rates scaling and capped based on tenure), 80 hours of front-loaded sick leave each year, and 5 days of front-loaded wellness leave each year. This position is also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus with a target percentage determined by role level; actual payout is not guaranteed and remains dependent upon individual performance, company performance, and leadership approval.

Application Deadline:

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The company expects this hiring window to remain open at least until January 15, 2027, but reserves the right to close the posting sooner if a high volume of qualified applications are received.

About STARZ

STARZ (NASDAQ: STRZ) is the leading premium entertainment destination for women and underrepresented audiences, and home to some of the most popular franchises and series on television. STARZ offers a robust programming mix for discerning adult audiences, including boundary-breaking originals and an expansive lineup of blockbuster movies, and is embodied by its brand positioning “We’re All Adults Here.” Complementary to any platform or service, STARZ is available across a wide range of digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors and is a bundling partner of choice. STARZ is powered by an industry-leading advanced technology, data analytics and digital infrastructure and the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app.

Our Benefits

• Full Coverage – Medical, Vision, and Dental

• Annual discretionary bonus and merit increase

• Work/Life Balance – generous sick days, vacation days, holidays, and wellness days

• 401(k) company matching

• Tuition Reimbursement (up to graduate degree)

EEO Statement

Starz is an equal employment opportunity employer. All employees and applicants are evaluated on the basis of their qualifications, consistent with applicable state and federal laws. In addition, Starz will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Starz will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and federal law.