Application Database Administrator (Mid-Level/Senior)

We are seeking a mid/senior- level Application Database Administrator to support our Agile sprint teams and manage production database environments. The ideal candidate brings solid, hands-on expertise with MySQL and PostgreSQL, strong data modeling capabilities, and a demonstrated track record in performance tuning and production support. This role works closely with development teams throughout the sprint lifecycle and is expected to operate with a good degree of independence, mentor junior team members, and contribute to database architecture decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Sprint Team Support

Actively participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies (sprint planning, standups, retrospectives, backlog grooming) as the database subject matter expert

Review user stories and technical requirements, providing database design input and effort estimates

Partner with developers to translate application requirements into efficient, scalable database structures

Provide timely turnaround on database changes to keep sprint deliverables on track

Guide and review the work of junior DBAs or developers on database-related tasks

Data Modeling

Independently design and maintain logical and physical data models using tools such as Erwin

Develop conceptual data models aligned with business and application requirements

Ensure models support normalization standards, referential integrity, and long-term scalability

Own data dictionaries, schemas, and entity relationship diagrams (ERDs)

Lead data model reviews with development, architecture, and business stakeholders

Identify and resolve data model conflicts across multiple applications/systems

Database Administration (MySQL & PostgreSQL)

Install, configure, and maintain MySQL and PostgreSQL instances across dev, test, staging, and production

Manage database schemas, users, roles, and security/access controls

Own backup, restore, patching, and upgrade strategy and execution

Design, implement, and maintain replication, high availability, and disaster recovery solutions

Evaluate and recommend improvements to database architecture and standards

Performance Tuning

Proactively monitor database performance metrics and identify bottlenecks before they impact users

Analyze and optimize complex, slow-running queries, indexes, and execution plans

Tune database configuration parameters for optimal throughput and resource utilization

Lead capacity planning and scalability assessments for growing application workloads

Establish performance benchmarks and monitoring best practices

Production Support

Serve as senior/primary DBA support for production systems, including on-call rotation

Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex database incidents, outages, and performance degradation

Drive root cause analysis on production issues and implement preventive/long-term fixes

Own database change management for deployments and releases, minimizing risk and downtime

Develop and maintain runbooks, SOPs, and incident documentation

Serve as an escalation point for critical/high-severity database issues

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience)

5+ years of hands-on experience as a Database Administrator supporting MySQL and PostgreSQL in production environments

Demonstrated proficiency with data modeling tools (Erwin or similar, e.g., ER/Studio, dbt, Lucidchart)

Strong, advanced SQL skills with proven experience in query optimization and performance tuning

Experience supporting Agile/Scrum development teams as an embedded DBA

Deep understanding of backup/recovery, security, replication, and high-availability architecture

Proven experience providing production support and resolving critical incidents under pressure

Experience with database change management and release processes

Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and communicate effectively with both technical and business stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with cloud database platforms (AWS RDS/Aurora, Azure Database, GCP Cloud SQL)

Scripting/automation experience (Python, Bash, PowerShell) for routine DBA tasks

Experience with monitoring tools (Percona Monitoring and Management, pgAdmin, Datadog, New Relic)

Prior experience mentoring junior DBAs or leading small technical initiatives

Knowledge of ETL processes and data integration pipelines

Experience with additional RDBMS platforms (Oracle, SQL Server) a plus

Experience contributing to database architecture standards or governance

Key Skills

MySQL & PostgreSQL Administration (Advanced)

Data Modeling (Erwin)

Performance Tuning & Query Optimization

Production Incident Support & RCA

Agile/Scrum Collaboration

Backup, Recovery & High Availability

Mentorship & Cross-Team Communication