Lead Principal Data Systems Software Engineer at Oracle
Harrisburg, PA
$122,800–$306,400from the description
Jul 24, 2026
Harrisburg, PA
Jul 27, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
This role sits within the Oracle Database kernel engineering team, focused on researching, designing, and building new capabilities in the database query optimizer — including machine learning and autonomous features such as automatic plan management and auto-indexing. Day-to-day work also covers bug fixes, functional enhancements, and cross-team features like partition pruning and in-memory optimization. It suits an experienced systems/kernel developer with a solid SQL database background.
Senior level · 6+ years · Full-time
Posted 12 times — it's one opening, so apply once.
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
How this req sits in the market our data
Most people in this occupation already list these. Still required — just not what gets you shortlisted.
What the occupation pays Median $142,568 (middle half $111,775–$173,013). This posting is about at that midpoint.
Estimated from BLS employment for this occupation and area, per-skill prevalence across our listing corpus, and published wage benchmarks — as of Jul 28, 2026. It is a model, not a headcount.
Why we read it this way (8)
The job title is 'Database Developer' but the role is deeply focused on kernel-level software development inside Oracle's query optimizer engine — it sits ambiguously between 15-1243 (Database Architects, for its database design/optimization focus) and 15-1252 (Software Developers, for its kernel C/C++ systems programming focus). 15-1243 was chosen as primary because the core deliverable is advancing the query optimizer component of a database system.
The posting lists both a Canadian range (CAD $123,900–$203,600/yr) and a US range (USD $122,800–$306,400/yr). The USD figures are reported here; the CAD range applies to Canadian locations.
No specific location is stated in the posting beyond 'CA' (Canada) and 'US' salary bands, so no CBSA could be determined. The role appears to be a US or Canada position.
Career Level IC5 at Oracle typically corresponds to a senior individual contributor; this aligns with the 6+ years requirement and the scope of the role.
'Knowledge of SQL query optimization' is listed under 'Highly desirable' — treated as preferred.
Machine learning is mentioned in the narrative as a direction for the team (autonomous/self-learning features) but is not listed as a hard requirement; treated as preferred.
'Kernel systems programming experience' and 'kernel software development' are listed as required qualifications; these are captured as a single 'kernel systems programming' skill since they describe the same capability.
Ignored 1 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): SQL query optimization.
Read the full posting
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