Sr Google Cloud Platform Cloud database Migration Engineer ( Oracle to PostGreSQL )

• 6 month immediate contract
• HYBRID ( one day in office every week )
• Locations - Chicago west suburbs, Jacksonville FL, New Jersey
• The end client is a large data intensive, well known organization

( WE WILL PRIORITISE CANDIDATES WHO CAN WORK HYBRID In any of the above 3 locations )

Overview

The Cloud Database Migration Engineer is responsible for planning, executing, and validating large-scale database migrations from Oracle to PostgreSQL, with a primary focus on cloud-based implementations on Google Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform). This role requires deep technical expertise in relational databases, cloud-native architectures, and data migration methodologies, along with the ability to collaborate closely with application, infrastructure, and security teams to ensure successful outcomes.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience modernizing legacy Oracle environments and re-platforming them to PostgreSQL in the cloud, with a strong emphasis on performance, security, reliability, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end database migration initiatives from Oracle to PostgreSQL, including assessment, design, execution, validation, and post-migration optimization.
• Design and implement PostgreSQL architectures on Google Cloud Platform, leveraging services such as Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL and related Google Cloud Platform-native tooling.
• Analyze existing Oracle schemas, PL/SQL, stored procedures, triggers, and packages; refactor or re-engineer database logic to be compatible with PostgreSQL.
• Develop and execute migration strategies, including schema conversion, data transformation, and cutover planning, while minimizing downtime and risk.
• Utilize and, where appropriate, customize migration tools and frameworks (e.g., ora2pg, DMS-style tooling, custom scripts).
• Collaborate with application development teams to remediate SQL and application-level dependencies impacted by the migration.
• Optimize PostgreSQL performance, indexing strategies, query execution plans, and connection management in a cloud environment.
• Implement security best practices, including encryption, access controls, auditing, and compliance alignment within Google Cloud Platform.
• Establish backup, recovery, high availability, and disaster recovery strategies for PostgreSQL workloads.
• Produce clear, maintainable technical documentation covering architecture, migration steps, and operational procedures.
• Provide post-migration support and knowledge transfer to operations and support teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• 8+ years of experience working with enterprise relational databases, including significant hands-on experience with Oracle.
• Proven experience migrating Oracle databases to PostgreSQL in production environments.
• Strong knowledge of PostgreSQL internals, including query optimization, indexing, vacuuming, and replication.
• Experience deploying and managing PostgreSQL in Google Cloud Platform environments.
• Deep understanding of SQL dialect differences and migration challenges between Oracle and PostgreSQL.
• Experience refactoring PL/SQL to PostgreSQL-compatible procedural languages (e.g., PL/pgSQL).
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and Infrastructure-as-Code concepts as they relate to database deployments.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform services such as Cloud SQL, Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, VPC, IAM, and monitoring/logging tools.
• Experience with high-availability PostgreSQL architectures and read-replica strategies.
• Knowledge of containerized or Kubernetes-based PostgreSQL deployments.
• Experience in regulated or compliance-driven environments.
• Relevant cloud or database certifications (e.g., Google Cloud Professional, PostgreSQL, Oracle).
• Experience with open-source monitoring tools such as Prometheus & Grafana.

The anticipated hourly rate range for this position is ($80-90 /hr). Actual hourly rate will be based on a variety of factors including relevant experience, knowledge, skills and other factors permitted by law. A range of medical, dental, retirement and/or other benefits are available after a waiting period.