Senior Database Platform Engineer – Couchbase & Platform Automation

JOB SUMMARY

Marriott International is seeking a Senior Database Platform Engineer with deep expertise in Couchbase (Server and Capella) and experience in platform automation, DevOps, and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform). This role is for an experienced individual contributor responsible for designing, automating, and operating production-scale database platforms that are secure-by-default, resilient-by-design, and easy for application teams to consume.

The engineer will help deliver database capabilities through Marriott’s Internal Developer Platform, enabling self-service provisioning and a consistent, reliable developer experience. Working closely with Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), Networking, Security, Internal Developer Platform, and Application Engineering teams, this role supports highly available database services, drives large-scale migrations, and continuously improves operational excellence across the enterprise cloud database ecosystem.

To be successful in this role, in addition to strong technical expertise the candidate should excel at navigating complexity, working collaboratively, and focusing on outcomes.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Required:

• Undergraduate degree in an engineering or computer science discipline and/or equivalent experience/certification
• 7+ years of experience in database engineering including:
• 3+ years hands-on experience with Couchbase, including Couchbase Server and Couchbase Capella.
• Strong experience with Infrastructure as Code, particularly Terraform.
• Proven experience operating databases at enterprise scale in AWS environments.
• Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines (Harness), and scripting (Python, Bash, or equivalent).
• Experience partnering with SRE teams on production operations and reliability.
• Strong troubleshooting and cross-team communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience with AWS database services such as Aurora, DocumentDB, or ElastiCache.
• Exposure to policy-as-code or compliance automation frameworks.
• Experience with observability platforms (e.g., Dynatrace).
• Prior involvement in large-scale database migrations and platform modernization.
• Experience in backend software development (e.g., Java, Node.js, Python, or similar).
• Experience with schema and change management automation frameworks for databases (Liquibase)

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

Database Platform Engineering

• Design, build, and operate enterprise-grade Couchbase Server and Couchbase Capella platforms supporting business-critical workloads.
• Own database architecture patterns focused on availability, scalability, performance, resilience, and cost optimization.
• Facilitate database migrations from self-managed environments to Couchbase Capella, including planning and production cutovers in close cooperation with SREs and application developers.

Platform Automation & Infrastructure as Code

• Develop and maintain Terraform modules and automation pipelines for database provisioning and lifecycle management.
• Implement CI/CD automation to standardize and safely deliver database platform changes.
• Enable self-service database capabilities that reduce manual effort for application teams.

Operational Excellence & SRE Partnership

• Partner with SRE teams on monitoring, alerting, reliability, incident management, and post-incident analysis.
• Define and operate against SLOs, backup/restore strategies, capacity planning, and disaster recovery patterns.
• Troubleshoot complex distributed system and database production issues.

Security & Governance

• Ensure database platforms are secure-by-default and aligned with enterprise security and compliance standards.
• Integrate database services with IAM, networking controls, and configuration management systems.
• Participate in architectural and governance reviews as a database subject matter expert.

Collaboration & Technical Leadership

• Serve as a senior technical advisor to application teams on database design and usage best practices.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to shared documentation, engineering standards, and patterns.
• Collaborate with product owners and leadership on roadmap planning and technical prioritization.

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates.  We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.

All positions offer a 401(k) plan, stock purchase plan, discounts at Marriott properties, commuter benefits, employee assistance plan, and childcare discounts. Benefits are subject to terms and conditions, which may include rules regarding eligibility, enrollment, waiting period, contribution, benefit limits, election changes, benefit exclusions, and others. Click here to learn more.

Full-time positions also offer coverage for medical, dental, vision, health care flexible spending account, dependent care flexible spending account, life insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance, adoption expense reimbursements, paid parental leave and educational assistance.

Washington Applicants Only: Employees will accrue paid sick leave, 0.077 PTO balance for every hour worked and be eligible to receive a minimum of 9 holidays annually.

Marriott HQ is committed to a hybrid work environment that enables associates to Be connected. Headquarters-based positions are considered hybrid, for candidates within a commuting distance to Bethesda, MD; candidates outside of commuting distance to Bethesda, MD will be considered for Remote positions.

Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company, with more brands, more hotels and more opportunities for associates to grow and succeed. Be where you can do your best work,​ begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global​ team, and become the best version of you.