Senior DBA - PostgreSQL & RDS

Role Description

This is a remote position. We are seeking two experienced Database Administrators (DBAs) to support a major database upgrade project. The successful candidates will play a critical role in planning, executing, and validating the migration of our PostgreSQL and AWS RDS environments, ensuring high availability, minimal downtime, and data integrity throughout the process.

Work will primarily follow Eastern Standard Time business hours, with flexibility required to perform critical upgrade activities during low-traffic windows such as late evenings or weekends.

Focused on database architecture, upgrade strategy, performance tuning, and RDS service management throughout the upgrade lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute major PostgreSQL and AWS RDS database version upgrades
• Develop and maintain detailed upgrade plans, rollback procedures, and runbooks
• Perform pre- and post-upgrade database health checks, validation, and performance benchmarking
• Monitor, tune, and optimize database performance during and after the migration
• Collaborate with application, infrastructure, and DevOps teams to coordinate upgrade activities
• Schedule and execute critical tasks during designated low-traffic maintenance windows
• Document all procedures, configurations, and changes in a clear and auditable manner
• (Role B only) Write and maintain Bash scripts to automate routine DBA tasks and upgrade steps
• (Role B only) Manage version-controlled scripts, runbooks, and configs using GitHub

Primary working hours align with Eastern Standard Time (EST). Candidates must be available for scheduled maintenance windows — including evenings and weekends — during critical phases of the upgrade project. Advance notice will be provided for all off-hours activities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on DBA experience with PostgreSQL in production environments
• Strong experience with AWS RDS (PostgreSQL engine) and related services (e.g., RDS Proxy, Parameter Groups, CloudWatch, Snapshots, Multi-AZ)
• Proven track record of managing major database version upgrades with minimal disruption
• Proficiency in query optimization, indexing strategies, vacuum/analyze tuning, and connection management
• Experience with database backup, recovery, and point-in-time restore procedures
• Solid understanding of high availability and disaster recovery configurations
• Strong communication skills and ability to work within a distributed remote team

Nice to Have

• Experience with AWS Aurora PostgreSQL
• Familiarity with Terraform or CloudFormation for infrastructure provisioning
• Experience with database monitoring tools (e.g., pgBadger, Datadog, CloudWatch Insights)
• Knowledge of pglogical, logical replication, or blue-green deployment strategies
• AWS certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Database – Specialty)