Database Administrator

SpaceX • Hawthorne, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

SpaceX is seeking a Database Administrator with strong Microsoft SQL and PowerBI technical knowledge and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The role is part of the IT Engineering organization and joins a team responsible for database technologies used throughout SpaceX. The successful candidate will be flexible, self-motivated, eager to learn, and able to solve complex problems in a fast-paced, challenging environment. Strong knowledge of Windows, server and storage infrastructure, and troubleshooting is needed.

The Database Administrator partners with internal customers and stakeholders to address current and future needs, maintain and optimize database systems, and respond to production issues. The role also supports PowerBI users, develops automation and self-service tools, builds and tests backup and disaster recovery solutions, and contributes to documentation and the professional development of database engineering and administration staff. Participation in an on-call rotation is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Engineering and 3+ years of IT database administration experience, or 5+ years of IT database administration experience in lieu of a degree.
• At least 1 year of experience optimizing SQL queries and performing data replication and transformation.
• At least 3 years of experience monitoring and tuning databases to provide highly available and performant services.
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed to respond to network and server errors after hours.
• Must meet the stated U.S. export-control eligibility requirements or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in SQL Server and at least one other database technology, such as Postgres, MySQL, or Oracle.
• Proficiency in SQL Server resiliency and high-availability methods, such as log shipping, availability groups, database mirroring, and replication.
• Expertise in scaling large, critical databases with high uptime and performance expectations.
• Ability to work effectively and provide technical leadership during high-stress situations such as production database outages.
• Knowledge of configuration management automation and reducing manual toil.
• Knowledge of data structure design and modeling.
• Strong understanding of hardware in relation to SQL Server, including SAN, virtualization, and basic networking for troubleshooting.
• Good knowledge of the development cycle to interface effectively with developers.
• Working knowledge of adjacent database technologies, including Postgres, Oracle, and MySQL.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, oral and written communication, interpersonal skills, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Willingness to learn new database technologies, especially column-oriented databases.
• Expertise in reporting options such as SQL reports and PowerBI.
• Strong understanding of big data and data warehouse concepts and technologies.

Responsibilities

• Partner with internal customers to understand current challenges, plan and communicate improvements, and anticipate future needs.
• Perform root cause analysis of production-related database issues.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to optimize schemas, queries, and database and server configurations.
• Perform data migration and transformation from OLTP to OLAP systems.
• Develop code to automate routine tasks and provide end-user self-service tools using PowerShell or a similar scripting language.
• Engineer, deploy, and maintain Microsoft SQL database monitoring.
• Address critical support situations by providing effective solutions to database technical issues.
• Manage PowerBI licensing, utilization, and permissions, and provide best-practices guidance and query optimization assistance to users.
• Provide comprehensive, fully vetted backup and restore solutions.
• Engineer, implement, and routinely test disaster recovery strategies.
• Develop and maintain documentation and support runbooks.
• Support the professional growth of database engineering and administration staff through cross-training, coaching, and responsibility sharing.
• Participate in an on-call rotation.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
• Potential discretionary bonuses.
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various other discounts and perks.
• Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level