Job description

Database Administrator Location: Hanover, MD Type: Full-time/Hybrid or Onsite Clearance: No clearance required Job Description We are seeking a skilled and experienced Database Administrator to join our team, specializing in cloud-based database technologies. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, and other AWS/Azure database services. This role involves designing, implementing, and maintaining secure, scalable database solutions in cloud environments while ensuring optimal performance, reliability, cost effectiveness, and compliance with industry standards. Responsibilities • Database Design and Implementation • Design, deploy, and manage PostgreSQL databases in cloud environments (AWS RDS, Aurora, and some Azure Database for PostgreSQL) • Implement and maintain DynamoDB tables with appropriate partition keys, indexes, and capacity planning • Configure and manage other AWS database services including Aurora, Redshift, DocumentDB, and ElastiCache • Deploy and maintain Azure database services such as Cosmos DB, SQL Database, and Azure Cache for Redis • Design database schemas, tables, indexes, and stored procedures to optimize performance and scalability • Database Administration and Maintenance • Monitor database performance, capacity, and availability across multiple cloud platforms • Implement automated backup and disaster recovery strategies using cloud-native tools • Perform database tuning, optimization, and troubleshooting to ensure optimal performance • Manage database security including access controls, encryption at rest and in transit, and compliance requirements • Execute database migrations, upgrades, and patches with minimal downtime • Implement and maintain database monitoring and alerting systems using CloudWatch, Azure Monitor, and third-party tool • Cloud Infrastructure Management • Collaborate with DevOps teams to implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform. • Configure and manage VPCs, subnets, security groups, and network access controls for database security • Implement auto-scaling solutions for databases to handle varying workloads efficiently • Optimize costs through proper resource sizing, reserved instances, and automated scaling policies • Security and Compliance • Implement and maintain database security best practices including encryption, access controls, and audit logging • Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations (GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP) and industry standards • Conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scans • Manage database user accounts, roles, and permissions following principle of least privilege • Implement data masking and anonymization techniques for non-production environments • Performance Monitoring and Optimization • Develop and maintain database performance baselines and KPIs • Analyze query performance and optimize slow-running queries • Implement and tune database indexes, partitioning, and caching strategies • Monitor and optimize DynamoDB read/write capacity units and implement on-demand scaling • Use performance monitoring tools such as pgAdmin, AWS Performance Insights, and Azure Query Performance Insight • Collaboration and Documentation • Work closely with development teams to optimize application database interactions • Provide technical guidance and best practices for database design and usage • Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for database configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting guides • Participate in on-call rotation for critical database issues and incident response • Mentor junior team members and provide knowledge transfer Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field • 5+ years of hands-on experience as a Database Administrator • Proven experience with PostgreSQL administration in production environments • Experience with AWS database services (RDS, DynamoDB, Aurora, Redshift) • Familiarity with Azure database services (SQL Database, Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL) Technical Skills • PostgreSQL Expertise • Advanced knowledge of PostgreSQL administration, performance tuning, replication, and high availability configurations • NoSQL Experience • Proficiency with DynamoDB including data modeling, capacity planning, and optimization • Cloud Platforms • Hands-on experience with AWS and/or Azure database services and management tools • Scripting • Proficiency in SQL, Python, Bash, or PowerShell for automation and database management tasks • Infrastructure as Code • Experience with Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM templates, or similar tools • Monitoring Tools • Familiarity with database monitoring solutions (CloudWatch, Azure Monitor, pganalyze, Datadog, New Relic) Additional Requirements • Strong understanding of database security principles and best practices • Experience with backup and disaster recovery planning and execution • Knowledge of data privacy regulations and compliance requirements • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills • Strong communication skills and ability to work in cross-functional teams • Experience with containerized databases (Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus • AWS or Azure database certifications preferred Preferred Qualifications • Advanced degree in Computer Science or related field • AWS Certified Database - Specialty or Azure Database Administrator Associate certification • Experience with additional database technologies (MySQL, SQL Server, MongoDB, Redis) • Knowledge of data warehousing concepts and ETL processes • Experience with database migration tools and strategies • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices Work Environment • Fast-paced, collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth • Hybrid • Participation in on-call support for critical systems • Continuous learning opportunities to stay current with evolving cloud technologies

Requirements