Application & Database Engineer

Role: APPLICATION SME - Senior DR Application & Database Engineer

The Application SME will own the application and database failover/failback strategy within the DR Automation Managed Services engagement.

This individual will bridge the gap between the customer's application and systems administration teams and the Dell DR Automation team, ensuring that application-layer DR requirements are accurately captured, automated, and continuously optimized.

The goal is to eliminate manual intervention during both emergency and planned DR events across all application and database tiers.

Own the end-to-end Application and Database Failover/Failback Strategy and Planning for the DR Automation engagement.

Define application-specific DR requirements including RTO targets, startup sequences, dependency ordering, and data consistency needs.

Review application-layer RTO and drive optimization through automation to reduce recovery time across application and DB tiers.

Collaborate with application owners and system administrators to design and automate failover processes covering application and database components, including all database flavors (Oracle, MSSQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and others).

Create and validate data collection templates in coordination with the Automation team to ensure all required information is captured from DRPs and validated during Application/DB workshops.

Act as the primary liaison between the customer's Applications team and the Dell DR Automation team.

Regularly review the Application and Database sections of Disaster Recovery Plans (DRPs) to ensure accuracy and alignment with current environments.

Govern technical discussions specific to the application stream during Discovery, Validation, and Tabletop exercises.

Review automated failover/failback workflows with the Automation team to ensure application correctness and data integrity.

Review and advise on audit and regulatory requirements for the Applications/DB stream, supporting the customer in meeting compliance obligations.

Drive continuous improvement and optimization of application DR automation processes throughout the engagement.

Strong background in enterprise application architecture and application-layer DR design.

Hands-on experience with multiple database platforms — Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, or equivalent — including failover, replication, and consistency validation.

Experience defining and executing DR plans including RTO/RPO management, startup sequencing, and application dependency mapping.

Working knowledge of DR automation principles and orchestration tooling.

Ability to design data collection templates and lead structured application/DB workshops.

Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including infrastructure, network, DBA, and business continuity stakeholders.

Strong understanding of audit and regulatory requirements as they apply to application and database DR (SOX, GDPR, ISO 22301, or equivalent).

Excellent communication and documentation skills; capable of governing technical discussions across multiple stakeholder groups.

Dell Technologies product familiarity, particularly around application-aware DR solutions.

Experience in a Managed Services or Professional Services DR engagement.

Knowledge of middleware, ERP platforms, or industry-specific applications in complex enterprise environments.

Relevant certifications: Oracle DBA/RAC, Microsoft SQL Server, ITIL, BCI (Business Continuity Institute), or equivalent.

Experience with container-based applications (Kubernetes workloads) and their DR considerations.