Senior Computer Systems Engineer/Architect – Graph Database DBA
Experience: 10+ Years
Work Environment: Federal Government / IRS Analytics Platforms
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Computer Systems Engineer/Architect – Graph Database DBA to provide expert database administration, graph data modeling, performance optimization, troubleshooting, and architecture support for graph databases and graph analytics used within the yK1 and related IRS analytics platforms.
The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience with graph database technologies, particularly Neo4j and Cypher, along with familiarity with RocketGraph/Trovares. This role requires strong technical expertise in graph modeling, graph traversal, query optimization, data loading, and production database operations. The candidate will collaborate with ETL, Python, Java, UI, and Oracle teams to support secure, scalable, and reliable analytics solutions in a federal environment.
Key Responsibilities
Graph Database Administration and Architecture
- Administer graph database platforms across production and development environments.
- Design, implement, and optimize graph database models to support complex analytics and application requirements.
- Provide architectural guidance on graph database scalability, performance, availability, and reliability.
- Support Neo4j and RocketGraph/Trovares environments, with familiarity with TigerGraph considered beneficial.
- Manage database configurations, user access, monitoring, patching, backups, and recovery procedures.
Graph Modeling, Query Optimization, and Analytics
- Develop, maintain, and optimize Cypher queries for complex graph traversals and analytics workloads.
- Design and refine graph structures, relationships, and data models to improve query efficiency.
- Analyze graph query execution and troubleshoot performance bottlenecks.
- Support graph-based algorithms, analytics use cases, and application features.
- Optimize graph storage, traversal performance, and large-scale graph processing operations.
Data Integration and Platform Support
- Support graph data loads, refreshes, and integration with ETL pipelines.
- Collaborate with Python, Java, UI, Oracle, and ETL teams to integrate graph database capabilities into enterprise analytics applications.
- Troubleshoot database, software, and data integration issues across interconnected systems.
- Support SQL-based data access and integration with relational database platforms where required.
- Document graph models, algorithms, database configurations, operational procedures, and technical solutions.
Security and Compliance
- Support secure database configuration and operations in accordance with federal security requirements.
- Follow applicable IRS security policies and controls for systems handling Federal Tax Information (FTI), personally identifiable information (PII), and Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) data.
- Support compliance activities associated with FISMA Moderate, NIST SP 800-53, IRS Publication 1075, and system Authorization to Operate (ATO) requirements.
- Support applicable HSPD-12/PIV access requirements and maintain appropriate security documentation.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of relevant professional experience in database administration, systems engineering, database architecture, or related technical fields.
- Strong hands-on experience administering and supporting graph databases in production environments.
- Demonstrated experience with Neo4j and Cypher query language.
- Experience designing and optimizing graph data models, relationships, traversals, and analytical queries.
- Experience with database performance tuning, troubleshooting, monitoring, backup, and recovery.
- Experience supporting graph data ingestion, loading, refreshes, and integration with ETL processes.
- Proficiency in SQL and working knowledge of Python for data processing or analytics support.
- Experience working in Linux environments, preferably Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
- Ability to collaborate with application development, data engineering, and database teams.
- Strong technical documentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with RocketGraph/Trovares graph database technologies.
- Familiarity with TigerGraph or other enterprise graph database platforms.
- Experience supporting federal government or IRS analytics systems.
- Familiarity with Oracle database integration and enterprise data platforms.
- Knowledge of graph algorithms, graph analytics, and large-scale data processing.
- Experience with FISMA, NIST SP 800-53, IRS Publication 1075, and federal security compliance.
- Experience supporting ATO documentation and secure system operations.
Technical Skills
- Graph Databases: Neo4j, RocketGraph/Trovares; TigerGraph familiarity
- Query Languages: Cypher, SQL
- Programming and Data Processing: Python; integration with Java-based applications
- Database Engineering: Graph modeling, graph traversal, query optimization, performance tuning, backup and recovery, monitoring
- Data Integration: ETL pipelines, data loading, data refreshes, Oracle integration
- Operating Systems: Linux, RHEL
- Security and Compliance: FISMA Moderate, NIST SP 800-53, IRS Publication 1075, FTI/PII/SBU protection, HSPD-12/PIV, ATO support
Federal Security Requirements
The selected candidate must be able to meet the applicable IRS suitability and system-access requirements for the position, including staff-like access, HSPD-12/PIV requirements, and security controls for systems processing sensitive federal information. The role supports compliance with FISMA Moderate, NIST SP 800-53, and IRS Publication 1075.
Specific access, suitability, and clearance requirements will be confirmed based on the applicable contract and client requirements.
Certifications
No specific professional certification is mandated by the PWS for this position. Relevant graph database, database administration, Linux, cloud, or information security certifications are beneficial but not required unless specified by the client.
