ROLE SUMMARY
The Oracle DB Patching Tower Lead (Onshore) is the primary Oracle interface to client DBA L2/L3 and application owners during Canada hours. This role owns quarterly PSU/RU and CPU patch cycles across 20,700+ Oracle DB instances — including RAC Grid Infrastructure rolling patches, ASM considerations, Data Guard switchovers, and OPatch/opatchauto execution. Deep Oracle DBA patching expertise is mandatory, along with strong change governance and cross-team coordination.
ROLE IN THE OPERATING MODEL
▸ Tower/pod lead and SME for Oracle patching — primary Oracle interface to client DBA L2/L3 and application owners during Canada hours and weekend windows
▸ Coordinates application-owner sign-off post-patching; owns Oracle tower compliance reporting to the Patch Service Lead
▸ Operates as Oracle execution layer under client direction; database design and engineering remain client DBA L2/L3 owned
▸ Directs offshore Oracle SMEs during onshore hours; manages escalation within agreed SLTs
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
▸ Plan and execute Oracle quarterly PSU/RU and CPU security patches via OPatch/opatchauto and datapatch
▸ Perform Grid Infrastructure/RAC rolling patching with ASM and Data Guard considerations to minimise disruption
▸ Take pre-patch RMAN backups, run health checks, validate post-patch, and roll back PSU/RU on failure
▸ Track DB CVEs, version currency, and EOL/EOS (e.g., 12c → 19c migration need); maintain compliance and update CMDB/KEDB
▸ Coordinate with client DBA L2/L3 and application owners for sign-off; perform RCA for patch failures
▸ Author RFC/CAB submissions for Oracle patch waves; align with client quarterly release calendar
▸ Own Oracle tower compliance reporting; present KPIs to the Patch Service Lead for governance reviews
TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE SCOPE
▸ Execute Oracle quarterly PSU/RU and CPU patches via OPatch/opatchauto and datapatch across standalone, RAC, and Data Guard environments
▸ Perform GI/RAC rolling patching — node-by-node execution, cluster resource validation, ASM disk group health checks
▸ Take pre-patch RMAN backups; run INVALID object recompilation and listener restart post-patch
▸ Execute OPatch conflict analysis and prerequisite checks; manage opatch prereq failure workarounds
▸ Roll back PSU/RU on failure; document RCA and update KEDB
▸ Track Oracle CPU release schedule (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct) and plan waves 4–6 weeks in advance
▸ Author RFC/CAB documentation; coordinate maintenance window scheduling with DBA teams
SKILLS, TOOLS & COMPETENCIES
Primary Skills
DB Platforms | Oracle 11g/12c/19c/21c · Oracle RAC · Oracle Data Guard · Oracle GI (Grid Infrastructure) · ASM |
Patching Tools | OPatch · opatchauto · datapatch · OJVM patching · PSU/RU/CPU/GDR patch types · Conflict detection |
Automation | Bash/Shell scripting · Ansible Oracle roles · Python DBA scripts · opatchauto orchestration |
ITSM & Vuln | ServiceNow (Change/CMDB) · Tenable · Qualys · RFC/CAB · KEDB management |
Observability | Oracle Enterprise Manager (OEM) · Splunk · Dynatrace · Moogsoft · AWR/ASH awareness |
Secondary Skills
▸ SQL/PL-SQL fundamentals and shell scripting for Oracle automation
▸ Oracle Exadata / Engineered Systems awareness
▸ Multitenant architecture (CDB/PDB) patching awareness
▸ Cloud DB (OCI/Azure) fundamentals
CERTIFICATIONS
Mandatory
▸ ITIL 4 Foundation
Preferred (one or more)
▸ Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) — Oracle Database 19c (mandatory preference)
▸ Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) acceptable at SME level; Oracle Certified Master (OCM) a strong plus
▸ Oracle RAC / Grid Infrastructure Specialist credential
▸ Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) certification — advantageous
NICE TO HAVE
▸ Experience patching Oracle in financial services with high-availability, zero-downtime requirements
▸ Oracle Exadata patching experience
▸ OEM 13c grid monitoring operational experience
WORK MODEL & COMMITMENT
Hours | Canada business hours + weekend change window coverage |
Shift Model | Hybrid onshore; quarterly PSU cycles and weekend maintenance windows |
On-Call | Yes — emergency Oracle CVE response and RAC failover events |
Language | English (mandatory) |
Compensation: We are offering between $60,000 – $85,000. Applications will be accepted until Aug 21, 2026.Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in Canada without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
