Database Architects

What the job really is

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

At a glance

• Sector: Computer & Mathematical
• O*NET-SOC code: 15-1243
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Develop and document database architectures.
• Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
• Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
• Design databases to support business applications, ensuring system scalability, security, performance, and reliability.
• Develop data models for applications, metadata tables, views or related database structures.
• Design database applications, such as interfaces, data transfer mechanisms, global temporary tables, data partitions, and function-based indexes to enable efficient access of the generic database structure.
• Develop methods for integrating different products so they work properly together, such as customizing commercial databases to fit specific needs.
• Create and enforce database development standards.
• Document and communicate database schemas, using accepted notations.
• Develop data model describing data elements and their use, following procedures and using pen, template or computer software.
• Work as part of a project team to coordinate database development and determine project scope and limitations.
• Identify and evaluate industry trends in database systems to serve as a source of information and advice for upper management.

Tools and technology

AJAX, Adobe Acrobat, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2, Amazon Redshift, Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software, Apache Airflow, Apache Cassandra, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Database Administrators
• Data Warehousing Specialists
• Software Developers
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
• Blockchain Engineers
• Data Scientists
• Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Database Architects — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.