Principal Data Systems Software Engineer

Oracle•Redwood City, CA

21h

About The Position

Oracle's Database Test Development team is seeking a Principal Data Systems Software Engineer to develop automated functional tests, test frameworks, and automation for Oracle Database Appliance (ODA), an integrated platform combining compute, storage, networking, and database software. This hands-on software engineering role calls for strong programming and debugging skills, understanding of Oracle Database concepts, and familiarity with Python and C, preferably also SQL. The engineer will own complex database functional testing areas and build and maintain reusable automation that configures database environments, runs workloads, simulates failures, and validates functionality, high availability, patching, upgrades, and recovery. The role drives improvements in automated test coverage and efficiency by finding coverage gaps and developing scalable test frameworks. The engineer works with feature developers to understand designs, identify issues early, and turn requirements and customer-reported defects into repeatable regression tests. They also collaborate with development, infrastructure, release management, and other engineering teams to resolve technical issues, improve test infrastructure, and validate software and hardware releases. The position contributes to test strategy, root-cause analysis, release readiness, and product reliability, and includes technical guidance, code reviews, and mentoring less experienced engineers. The role also coordinates test development activities across geographically distributed teams, provides technical oversight, and contributes to project planning and execution. Additional responsibilities include cross-organizational collaboration, problem solving, continuous learning and improvement, mentoring, and participating in candidate interviews and hiring recommendations.

Requirements

Strong programming and debugging skills.
A solid understanding of Oracle Database concepts.
Familiarity with Python and C; SQL familiarity is preferred.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to take technical ownership of complex database functional testing areas.
Ability to design, develop, and maintain automated functional tests, test frameworks, and supporting software.
Ability to collaborate across development, infrastructure, release management, and geographically distributed engineering teams.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with SQL.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain automated functional tests, test frameworks, and supporting software for ODA products and features.
Identify functional test coverage gaps, develop comprehensive test scenarios, and build reusable automation to improve testing effectiveness and efficiency.
Develop test programs that configure database environments, execute workloads, inject failures, and verify results across ODA configurations.
Create automated tools, frameworks, and software solutions to address technical problems, streamline test development and execution, improve debugging and diagnostics, and enhance engineering productivity.
Validate database provisioning, configuration, patching, upgrades, high availability, failover, recovery, and other database lifecycle operations.
Review functional and design specifications with feature developers, understand implementation details, identify potential issues, and develop test strategies.
Investigate test failures, debug software and infrastructure issues, conduct root-cause analysis, and collaborate with development teams to resolve product defects.
Translate customer-reported issues and real-world deployment scenarios into automated regression tests.
Collaborate with development, infrastructure, release management, and other engineering teams to resolve dependencies, improve test infrastructure, and support comprehensive validation and release readiness.
Improve test frameworks, automation, and engineering practices to increase reliability, maintainability, scalability, and product quality.
Lead test development activities with geographically distributed test development, product development, and infrastructure teams; define test strategies and coordinate testing efforts.
Provide technical guidance, participate in code reviews, mentor less experienced engineers, and promote sound software engineering practices.
Manage and coordinate moderately complex tasks, monitor timelines and deliverables, and prioritize work across projects.
Contribute to problem-solving strategies, document approaches, and escalate unresolved or critical issues with assessments and proposed solutions.
Pursue learning and feedback, stay current with industry practices, and foster knowledge sharing across teams.
Recommend and help implement process improvements, and evaluate their impact on stakeholders.
Participate in candidate interviews, assess candidates, and provide hiring recommendations.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including expert medical opinion.
Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance and AD&D.
Supplemental life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
Health care and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts.
Pre-tax commuter and parking benefits.
401(k) Savings and Investment Plan with company match.
Flexible or accrued vacation, subject to employee eligibility and work hours.
11 paid holidays.
Paid sick leave: 72 hours upon hire, refreshed each calendar year, with unused balances carrying over up to a 112-hour cap.
Paid parental leave.
Adoption assistance.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Financial planning and group legal benefits.
Voluntary auto, homeowner, and pet insurance.