Senior PostgreSQL Database Engineer

We are looking for a seasoned Senior PostgreSQL Database Engineer with a proven track record spanning 10+ years of solid, hands-on experience specifically with PostgreSQL. You are not just an administrator; you are an engineer who understands PostgreSQL at a fundamental level. You will be the cornerstone of our database reliability, performance, and scalability, taking full ownership of our most critical database systems. Your expertise will be crucial in guiding architectural decisions, mentoring team members, and ensuring our data layer can meet the demands of future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture & Design: Design, implement, and maintain highly available, scalable, and secure PostgreSQL database architectures (e.g., streaming replication, logical replication, connection pooling, partitioning).
• Performance Tuning: Perform advanced SQL query optimization, index strategy, and database configuration tuning. Use tools like EXPLAIN (ANALYZE, BUFFERS), pg_stat_statements, and custom monitoring to diagnose and resolve complex performance bottlenecks.
• High Availability & Disaster Recovery: Own the DR strategy. Implement and manage robust backup/recovery solutions using tools like pgBackRest, Barman, or WAL-E/G. Ensure RTO and RPO objectives are met.
• Database Development: Write efficient, optimized SQL, and develop database objects like stored procedures, functions, and triggers (using PL/pgSQL) as needed.
• Automation & Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Automate repetitive DBA tasks. Manage database provisioning, configuration, and changes using tools like Ansible, Terraform, or Chef.
• Security & Compliance: Harden PostgreSQL instances, manage roles and privileges, implement data encryption at rest and in transit, and ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., SOC2, GDPR, PCI-DSS).
• Mentorship & Leadership: Act as the subject matter expert for PostgreSQL. Mentor junior DBAs and developers on best practices for database design, query writing, and performance.
• Capacity Planning & Monitoring: Proactively monitor database health and plan for future capacity needs. Set up and use comprehensive monitoring/alerting with tools like Prometheus/Grafana, Datadog, or Zabbix.

• 10+ years of professional, hands-on experience in PostgreSQL database engineering and administration.
• Deep, intrinsic knowledge of PostgreSQL internals: VACUUM and autovacuum, transaction isolation levels, locking, the write-ahead log (WAL), and the shared buffers.
• Expert-level proficiency in performance tuning, including query plan analysis, index optimization (B-tree, BRIN, GIN, GiST), and server configuration (postgresql.conf).
• Proven experience designing and supporting high-availability setups using logical replication, streaming replication, and tools like Patroni or pgPool-II.
• Expertise in backup and recovery strategies using industry-standard tools like pgBackRest or Barman.
• Strong programming/scripting skills in Shell, Python, or Go for automation and tooling.
• Experience with Linux/Unix operating systems and comfort working in a command-line environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to lead incident response and root cause analysis for database-related issues.