Job DescriptionWe are looking for a talented, energetic, and detail-oriented Mid-Level Database Administrator (DBA) with deep SQL optimization experience to join our growing team. Over the past two years, our organization successfully transitioned from an on-premises datacenter to
100% in the AWS cloud. In this role, you will be part of a geographically dispersed DBA team responsible for managing our fully cloud-native database environment. You will work closely with IT, Engineering, QA, and Data & Analytics teams to modernize, maintain, and improve our data architecture.
A deep understanding of SQL, robust cloud database management skills, and independent problem-solving abilities are essential for this role. While our ecosystem is heavily focused on
PostgreSQL, experience maintaining or migrating legacy
SQL Server environments is highly valued.
Role and Responsibilities- Cloud Database Management: Create, configure, monitor, and maintain PostgreSQL database servers within AWS, ensuring high availability, health, and security across production, QA, and development environments.
- Security & Access Control: Manage IAM and database access control at various security levels, conducting periodic audits to maintain compliance.
- Backup & Disaster Recovery: Oversee automated backup and recovery systems using native tools and AWS automated processes; maintain and regularly test disaster recovery procedures.
- Maintenance & High Availability: Perform regular maintenance, patching, and major version upgrades with minimal downtime using cloud-native strategies.
- Replication & Scaling: Configure, support, and monitor database replication (including Aurora Read Replicas and logical replication) to ensure data durability and performance.
- Developer Support & Optimization: Collaborate with engineering teams to assist with schema design, deployment processes, and advanced query optimization.
- Code Review: Peer-review developer-written SQL code to ensure efficiency, security, and adherence to database standards.
- Performance Tuning: Analyze complex performance bottlenecks to determine the best solution, whether through index strategies, query rewriting, or server-side configuration changes.
- Cross-Platform Support: Maintain and support existing Microsoft SQL Server environments as required by the business.
- On-Call Support: Participate in a 24x7 on-call support rotation to ensure enterprise reliability.
Qualifications- Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent work-related experience.
- Database Experience: 4-6 years of hands-on experience administering production PostgreSQL environments.
- Dual-Engine Familiarity: Proven foundational or working experience with Microsoft SQL Server alongside your primary PostgreSQL skillset.
- AWS Cloud Expertise: 4+ years of experience managing managed database services including AWS Aurora, RDS, EC2 database hosting, and infrastructure monitoring via Datadog.
- Backup Tooling: Proficiency with database backup tools such as pg_dump, pg_restore, and AWS Snapshots.
- Advanced SQL Development (Required): Must be highly proficient in reading, writing, and optimizing complex SQL. This includes:
- Comprehensive understanding of join operations and indexing strategies.
- Expert use of Common Table Expressions (CTEs) and aggregate functions.
- Proficiency with Advanced Analytical Functions (Window Functions).
- Scripting Automation: Moderate to advanced scripting skills in BASH Shell, Python, or PowerShell for automation and task scheduling.
- Core Competencies:
- Solid understanding of database design principles (Entity-Relationship Model).
- Familiarity with capacity planning and resource allocation in a high-growth cloud environment.
- Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills with extreme attention to detail.
- Excellent technical communication, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal daily supervision and a zest for adapting to evolving cloud technologies.
Additional InformationAt SquareTrade you'll have access to:
- Medical, dental and vision coverage with network optionality and the ability to contribute to a savings account (HSA or FSA)
- Up to 4% company match into 401(k) and contributions into your company-sponsored pension
- $75/month budget to help prioritize your physical wellbeing
- $80/month stipend to subsidize connectivity costs
- Mental health resources including free 1:1 therapy, coaching sessions and digital resources
- Supportive leave policies
- Flexible Time Off Policy in addition to 9 Company Holidays
- Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year to further your personal educational advancement desires
- Hybrid work arrangements with regular investment in gatherings/offsites to spend time together as team
- Various corporate perks and discounts
This role is a hybrid role associated with our Bay Area Office.
SquareTrade estimates the possible base compensation for this role, if hired in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, to be in the range : $145K - 160K
