Principal Data Systems Software Engineer

Oracle•Redwood City, CA

3d•$114,600 - $234,600

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 involves technical ownership of complex database functional testing areas and requires programming and debugging skills, an understanding of Oracle Database concepts, and familiarity with Python, C, and preferably SQL. The engineer will design, develop, and maintain automated tests and supporting software to configure database environments, execute workloads, simulate failures, and validate database functionality, high availability, patching, upgrades, and recovery. The role drives improvements in automated test coverage and develops scalable, reusable frameworks to improve testing efficiency and product quality. It works closely with feature developers and teams across development, infrastructure, and release management to understand designs, identify issues early, investigate failures, improve test infrastructure, and ensure validation and release readiness. The position also leads test development activities with geographically distributed teams, contributes to test strategies and root-cause analysis, provides technical guidance, participates in code reviews, and mentors less experienced engineers. Core responsibilities include coordinating project work, collaborating across the organization, solving moderately complex problems, continuous learning and improvement, and contributing to talent development through interviews and candidate assessments.

Requirements

Strong programming and debugging skills.
Solid understanding of Oracle Database concepts.
Familiarity with Python and C.
Technical ownership and problem-solving skills for complex database functional testing areas.
Ability to design, develop, and maintain automated tests and test frameworks.
Ability to collaborate with feature developers and cross-functional engineering teams.
Ability to investigate failures, debug software and infrastructure issues, and perform root-cause analysis.
Ability to lead test development activities and coordinate work across geographically distributed teams.
Ability to provide technical guidance, participate in code reviews, and mentor less experienced engineers.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with SQL.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain automated functional tests, test frameworks, and supporting software for ODA and its features.
Identify functional test coverage gaps, develop comprehensive scenarios, and build reusable automation to improve test 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 complex 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 lifecycle operations.
Review functional and design specifications with feature developers, understand implementation details, identify potential issues, and develop test strategies.
Investigate complex test failures, debug software and infrastructure issues, perform 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, validate releases, and ensure release readiness.
Improve test frameworks, automation, and engineering practices to increase reliability, maintainability, scalability, and product quality.
Lead test development activities and coordinate with geographically distributed teams to define test strategies and deliver automation that improves coverage, efficiency, and quality.
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 ensure project requirements are met.
Delegate, monitor, and prioritize work across projects; provide technical oversight and adjust plans to accommodate resource or timeline changes.
Collaborate across the organization, align expectations, and use stakeholder and customer needs to inform proposed solutions.
Support inclusivity by seeking and listening to diverse perspectives and ensuring others feel heard and respected.
Analyze information to address moderately complex problems, escalate unresolved or critical issues with an assessment and proposed solutions, and document problem-solving strategies.
Pursue learning opportunities, stay current with industry trends and best practices, and use feedback and training to improve skills.
Develop and recommend process improvements, collaborate on implementation, evaluate their impact, and solicit feedback on alternative approaches.
Participate in candidate interviews, assess candidates, and provide hiring recommendations.