Senior Database Engineer (SQL)

CoStar
Full_time•Arlington, United States

📍 Job Overview

  • Job Title: Senior Database Engineer (SQL)
  • Company: CoStar
  • Location: Arlington, Virginia, United States
  • Job Type: Hybrid (4 days onsite, 1 day remote per week)
  • Category: Database Administration
  • Date Posted: June 10, 2025
  • Experience Level: 5-10 years
  • Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

  • Drive the design and development of highly performant and available data solutions operating on terabytes of data
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand business needs and deliver high-quality software
  • Evaluate emerging technologies to identify opportunities and strengthen CoStar's technology platform

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on data analysis, optimization, and understanding business needs to create effective data solutions.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

  • Database Architecture & Design: Design and implement database structures that support high-transaction-volume applications and massive amounts of data
  • Performance Tuning: Optimize database performance using tools like SQL Profiler and Execution Plans, and tune queries for improved efficiency
  • Data Analysis & Visualization: Create and maintain Power BI dashboards to monitor and analyze data, ensuring data-driven decision-making
  • Software Quality Assurance: Work with QA resources to ensure software delivered meets the highest quality standards
  • Operational Support: Act as a key member of the product launch team and collaborate with DevOps to resolve operational issues
  • Emerging Technologies: Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies to enhance CoStar's technology platform and development practices

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a deep understanding of SQL database development, performance tuning, and data analysis to ensure the success of CoStar's data-driven products.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field

Experience: 4+ years of SQL database development experience, with a proven track record of building and launching successful products leveraging terabytes of data

Required Skills:

  • Database design, T-SQL programming, performance tuning, and index analysis
  • Strong ability to analyze complex data sets and optimize queries
  • Define database architecture and development best practices
  • Experience with version control systems (e.g., TFS)

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with database performance testing and SQL code unit testing strategies and implementations
  • Familiarity with NoSQL databases (e.g., ElasticSearch) and BI tools (e.g., Power BI)
  • Scripting knowledge (e.g., PowerShell, Python) for automation
  • Knowledge of cloud platforms (e.g., Azure SQL, AWS RDS)
  • Strong communication skills with both business and technical partners

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Demonstrate experience in designing and optimizing SQL databases for high-transaction-volume applications
  • Showcase projects that involve data analysis, performance tuning, and query optimization
  • Highlight any experience with NoSQL databases, BI tools, and cloud platforms

Technical Documentation:

  • Provide documentation for database structures, processes, and best practices
  • Include examples of SQL queries, performance tuning techniques, and data analysis methods

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (based on regional market research and industry standards for a Senior Database Engineer with 4-10 years of experience in the Arlington, VA area)

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive healthcare coverage (Medical, Vision, Dental, Prescription Drug)
  • Life, legal, and supplementary insurance
  • Commuter and parking benefits
  • 401(K) retirement plan with matching contributions
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • On-site fitness center and/or reimbursed fitness center membership costs
  • Complimentary gourmet coffee, tea, hot chocolate, prepared foods, fresh fruit, and healthy snacks

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (4 days onsite, 1 day remote per week)

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces

Company Size: Large (over 5,000 employees)

Founded: 1987

Team Structure:

  • Database Engineering team, collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Product, DevOps, and QA
  • Flat hierarchy, with opportunities for growth and mentorship

Development Methodology:

  • Agile/Scrum methodologies for software development
  • Collaborative environment, with regular team meetings and code reviews
  • Strong focus on data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement

Company Website: CoStar

📝 Enhancement Note: CoStar's culture emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and data-driven decision-making, providing opportunities for growth and mentorship within a large, established company.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Database Engineer Career Level: Senior Database Engineer, responsible for driving data solutions, optimizing performance, and mentoring junior team members

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Database Engineering Manager, collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Product, DevOps, and QA

Technical Impact: Designs and optimizes database structures, ensuring high availability and performance for CoStar's data-driven products, directly impacting user experience and business outcomes

Growth Opportunities:

  • Technical leadership roles within the Database Engineering team
  • Mentorship and knowledge-sharing opportunities with junior team members
  • Potential expansion into emerging technologies and data science roles

📝 Enhancement Note: CoStar offers growth opportunities for Senior Database Engineers, including technical leadership roles, mentorship, and potential expansion into emerging technologies and data science roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspaces with on-site fitness centers and complimentary food and beverages

Office Location(s): Arlington, Virginia, United States

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative workspaces with multiple monitors and testing devices available
  • Cross-functional team interaction and knowledge-sharing opportunities
  • Flexible work arrangement (4 days onsite, 1 day remote per week)

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement (4 days onsite, 1 day remote per week)

📝 Enhancement Note: CoStar's work environment fosters collaboration and innovation, with modern workspaces, flexible work arrangements, and on-site amenities.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

  1. Technical Phone Screen: SQL database development, performance tuning, and data analysis questions (60 minutes)
  2. On-site Technical Interview: Database design, architecture, and optimization challenges, along with system design discussions (120 minutes)
  3. Behavioral Interview: Cultural fit assessment and problem-solving scenarios (60 minutes)
  4. Final Evaluation: Technical impact discussion and final evaluation (30 minutes)

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Highlight SQL database design, performance tuning, and data analysis projects
  • Include examples of query optimization, indexing, and data visualization techniques
  • Demonstrate understanding of business needs and data-driven decision-making

Technical Challenge Preparation:

  • Brush up on SQL database development, performance tuning, and data analysis skills
  • Practice database design, architecture, and optimization challenges
  • Prepare for system design discussions and problem-solving scenarios

ATS Keywords: SQL, Database Design, Performance Tuning, Index Analysis, Data Analysis, Query Optimization, Version Control, NoSQL, BI Tools, Scripting, Cloud Platforms, Communication Skills

📝 Enhancement Note: CoStar's interview process focuses on technical proficiency, problem-solving, and cultural fit, with a strong emphasis on SQL database development, performance tuning, and data analysis skills.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Database Technologies:

  • Microsoft SQL Server (T-SQL)
  • NoSQL databases (ElasticSearch)
  • Cloud platforms (Azure SQL, AWS RDS)

Development & DevOps Tools:

  • Version control systems (TFS)
  • BI tools (Power BI)
  • Scripting languages (PowerShell, Python)
  • Performance tuning tools (SQL Profiler, Execution Plans)

Infrastructure Tools:

  • Cloud platforms (Azure, AWS)
  • Containerization and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Monitoring tools (New Relic, Datadog)

📝 Enhancement Note: CoStar's technology stack includes Microsoft SQL Server, NoSQL databases, and cloud platforms, with a focus on SQL database development, performance tuning, and data analysis.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Database Engineering Values:

  • Data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement
  • Collaboration and knowledge-sharing within and across teams
  • Strong communication skills with both business and technical partners
  • Innovation and adaptation to emerging technologies

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional team interaction and regular meetings
  • Code reviews and pair programming practices
  • Knowledge-sharing and mentorship opportunities

📝 Enhancement Note: CoStar's database engineering team values data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and strong communication skills, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

  • Designing and optimizing SQL databases for high-transaction-volume applications
  • Performance tuning and query optimization for massive amounts of data
  • Integrating emerging technologies to enhance CoStar's technology platform

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Technical skill advancement in SQL database development, performance tuning, and data analysis
  • Conference attendance, certification, and community involvement in database engineering and data science
  • Technical mentorship, leadership development, and architecture decision-making opportunities

📝 Enhancement Note: CoStar offers technical challenges and learning opportunities for Senior Database Engineers, focusing on SQL database development, performance tuning, and data analysis skills.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

  1. SQL Database Development: Designing and optimizing SQL databases for high-transaction-volume applications (60 minutes)
  2. Performance Tuning: Query optimization, indexing, and data analysis techniques (60 minutes)
  3. System Design: Database architecture and optimization challenges (60 minutes)

Company & Culture Questions:

  1. Data-Driven Decision-Making: Examples of data-driven decision-making in previous roles (30 minutes)
  2. Collaboration: Experiences working with cross-functional teams and stakeholders (30 minutes)
  3. Innovation: Adaptation to emerging technologies and continuous improvement (30 minutes)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  1. Live Database Demonstration: Walkthrough of SQL database design, performance tuning, and data analysis projects (15 minutes)
  2. Code Explanation: Detailed explanation of database design, architecture, and optimization techniques (15 minutes)
  3. Data Visualization: Presentation of data visualization techniques and tools used (15 minutes)

📝 Enhancement Note: CoStar's interview preparation focuses on SQL database development, performance tuning, and data analysis skills, with an emphasis on data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and innovation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Database Engineer (SQL) position at CoStar:

  1. Submit Application: Through the application link provided
  2. Prepare Portfolio: Highlight SQL database design, performance tuning, and data analysis projects, with a focus on live demos and responsive examples
  3. Optimize Resume: Emphasize project highlights and technical skills relevant to SQL database development, performance tuning, and data analysis
  4. Prepare for Technical Interview: Brush up on SQL database development, performance tuning, and data analysis skills, and practice database design, architecture, and optimization challenges
  5. Research Company: Understand CoStar's real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces business, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and user experience

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Application Requirements

Candidates must have a Bachelor's Degree and at least 4 years of SQL database development experience. A strong ability to analyze complex data sets and optimize queries is essential, along with experience in database design and performance tuning.