Senior Database Administrator

Hello Everyone,

Position: Senior Database Administrator (DBA) – PostgreSQL / SQL / Splunk*

Location: Baltimore, MD (5 days on-site)

Duration: Long-term

Key Skills:

PostgreSQL, Strong SQL, Splunk, Database Administration, Database Management, Data Modeling, Data Analysis, Query Optimization, Performance Tuning, Database Security, Server Patching, Database Upgrades, Backup & Recovery, High Availability, Disaster Recovery, Log Analysis, Monitoring, Data Integrity, Linux/Unix, Production Support

Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced Database Administrator (DBA) with strong expertise in PostgreSQL, SQL, database management, data modeling, data analysis, Splunk, and server patching. The ideal candidate will be responsible for maintaining database reliability, performance, availability, security, and data integrity while supporting enterprise database operations and troubleshooting.

The DBA will collaborate with application development, infrastructure, security, and operations teams to optimize database performance, manage database environments, support server patching and maintenance activities, and leverage Splunk for log analysis, monitoring, and operational troubleshooting.

Responsibilities & Qualifications:

• Administer, configure, maintain, and support PostgreSQL databases in enterprise environments.
• Write, optimize, and troubleshoot complex SQL queries, stored procedures, database functions, and execution plans.
• Monitor database performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement tuning strategies to improve efficiency and response times.
• Perform database installation, configuration, upgrades, patching, maintenance, and version management.
• Plan and execute database backups, recovery procedures, disaster recovery testing, and high-availability operations.
• Support server patching and maintenance, including coordinating database service restarts, validating dependencies, and verifying system stability after patches.
• Use Splunk to search and analyze logs, monitor database and server activity, investigate incidents, and identify operational issues.
• Develop and maintain data models, database schemas, relationships, indexes, constraints, and normalization strategies.
• Perform data analysis, data validation, reconciliation, and integrity checks to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Monitor database health, capacity, storage utilization, resource consumption, and system availability.
• Troubleshoot database connectivity, performance, security, and application integration issues.
• Implement database security controls, user access management, roles, permissions, and auditing in accordance with organizational policies.
• Support database migrations, upgrades, schema changes, and application releases.
• Develop and maintain database documentation, operational procedures, monitoring standards, and maintenance plans.
• Collaborate with developers, system administrators, data analysts, and DevOps teams to support application and infrastructure requirements.
• Participate in incident management, root-cause analysis, change management, and production support.
• Automate routine database administration and monitoring tasks using scripts where appropriate.

Required Skills & Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in database administration, database management, or related database engineering roles.
• Strong hands-on experience with PostgreSQL, including configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, performance tuning, and backup/recovery.
• Strong SQL skills, including complex queries, joins, subqueries, aggregations, query optimization, and execution-plan analysis.
• Experience with Splunk for log analysis, monitoring, troubleshooting, and operational investigation.
• Strong knowledge of data modeling, relational database design, schema development, normalization, and indexing.
• Experience with data analysis, data validation, data quality checks, and data reconciliation.
• Hands-on experience with database patching, upgrades, maintenance windows, and production change management.
• Experience supporting server patching and coordinating database maintenance with infrastructure teams.
• Knowledge of database security, access controls, auditing, and performance monitoring.
• Experience with backup and recovery, high availability, disaster recovery, and business continuity procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across database, operating system, and application layers.
• Experience with Linux/Unix or Windows server environments.
• Ability to develop scripts to automate database administration and operational tasks.
• Strong documentation, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance, if required for the project.

Nice to Have:

• Experience with PostgreSQL replication, clustering, failover, and high-availability configurations.
• Experience with cloud-hosted databases, such as Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL or Azure Database for PostgreSQL.
• Familiarity with database monitoring, alerting, and performance dashboards in Splunk.
• Experience with ETL processes, data integration, and data warehouse environments.
• Knowledge of database automation, Bash/Python scripting, and CI/CD practices.
• Experience with vulnerability remediation, security patch compliance, and audit requirements.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and IT service management processes.