Principal Cloud Database Engineer

Ford Motor Company

Principal Cloud Database Engineer leading modernization initiatives with Google Cloud Platform services. Integrating AI-driven capabilities into database operations and ensuring performance and scalability.

Posted 7/15/2026full-timeRemote • Missouri • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $115,000 - $192,900 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in leading the architecture and engineering of GCP relational database platforms, implementing enterprise standards, and driving modernization initiatives. Proficient in database automation, performance tuning, and integrating AI/ML capabilities into database solutions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

GCP Relational Database EngineeringDatabase Migration StrategiesInfrastructure-as-Code (IaC) with TerraformPerformance Tuning and OptimizationAI/ML Integration in Database Platforms

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

PostgreSQLSQL ServerAlloyDBCloud SpannerDatabase AutomationPerformance TuningBackup and RecoveryDevOps PracticesCI/CD PipelinesTerraform

Tools & Technologies

DMSStriimCloud SQLIAMVPCPrivate Service AccessPrivate Service Connect

Industry Keywords

Database GovernanceCost OptimizationDisaster RecoveryMonitoring and LoggingHigh Availability Architectures

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudGoGoogle Cloud PlatformJavaMySQLPostgresPythonSQLTerraform

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead architecture design and engineering for GCP relational database platforms (Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL, Cloud SQL for SQL Server, AlloyDB, Spanner).
Define and implement enterprise database standards aligned with security, scalability, and performance best practices.
Drive modernization initiatives including database migrations to GCP using tools such as DMS, Striim and migration frameworks.
Design highly available, resilient, and cost-optimized database solutions on GCP.
Implement infrastructure-as-code (IaC) using tools such as Terraform.
Enable secure connectivity patterns (IAM, VPC, Private Service Access, Private Service Connect, serverless integrations).
Lead Cloud Databases financial accounting, performance tuning, capacity planning, and database reliability engineering.
Integrate AI/ML capabilities into database platforms (e.g., MCP, data agents, context engineering, anomaly detection, query optimization).
Consult with application teams to enable data pipelines for AI/ML workloads.
Evaluate and adopt AI-assisted database operations and automation solutions.
Drive initiatives on AI-enabled observability and self-healing systems.
Establish best practices for backup, recovery, disaster recovery, and compliance.
Define monitoring, logging, and alerting strategies for database services.
Lead database governance and continuous cost optimization initiatives.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or related field.
10+ years of experience in relational database engineering (PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL, AlloyDB or Spanner).
5+ years of hands-on experience with GCP, especially:
Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL and/or Cloud SQL for SQL Server
AlloyDB
Cloud Spanner
Strong expertise in:
Database platform automation, design, indexing, and performance tuning
Backup/recovery and high availability architectures
Migration strategies and tools (e.g., DMS, Striim, replication tools)
Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and IaC.
Programming experience (Terraform, Python, Java, or Go).

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases
Tuition assistance
Established and active employee resource groups
Paid time off for individual and team community service
A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.