Senior PostgreSQL Database Engineer

General Dynamics Information Technology • Springfield, MO

15h • Onsite

About The Position

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) is seeking a Senior PostgreSQL Database Engineer to support the operation, design, and continuous improvement of database capabilities for a mission-critical system. The position combines hands-on PostgreSQL administration with database engineering and architecture. The engineer serves as the team's primary database subject matter expert, partnering with software developers and systems engineers to maintain reliable operations and improve database performance, design, security, and maintainability. The environment uses PostgreSQL for transactional and analytical data workloads and OpenShift for application deployment.

The role administers PostgreSQL databases; designs and improves schemas, data models, indexing strategies, and data access patterns; optimizes queries and resource use; and supports PostgreSQL deployment and integration in OpenShift environments. It also maintains backup, restore, high-availability, replication, and disaster recovery capabilities; monitors database health; advises developers; drives practical improvements; supports upgrades and migrations; documents standards and procedures; applies security controls; and provides technical guidance to the engineering team.

This is an onsite position at a customer location in Springfield, Virginia, with an additional work location listed in St. Louis, Missouri. The role requires an active TS/SCI clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain a polygraph. Polygraph sponsorship may be available. U.S. citizenship is required. The schedule is 40 hours per week, with no travel required.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI security clearance and ability to obtain and maintain a polygraph; sponsorship may be available.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent education, training, certifications, and experience.
• Five or more years of experience in database administration, database engineering, database architecture, or a related technical discipline.
• Hands-on experience administering and supporting PostgreSQL databases.
• Experience with relational database design, data modeling, SQL, schema development, indexing, and query optimization.
• Experience troubleshooting database issues and managing database users, roles, permissions, and configurations.
• Experience with database backups, restores, upgrades, and routine maintenance.
• Working knowledge of database high availability, replication, and disaster recovery concepts.
• Ability to collaborate with developers and infrastructure engineers to resolve technical issues and improve system performance.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting PostgreSQL in OpenShift, Kubernetes, containerized, or Linux-based environments.
• Experience with PostgreSQL replication, failover, connection pooling, or high-availability technologies.
• Experience with database monitoring, logging, alerting, and performance diagnostics.
• Experience supporting transactional and analytical data workloads.
• Experience with database automation, scripting, infrastructure as code, or repeatable deployment practices.
• Experience planning and executing database migrations, upgrades, and modernization initiatives.
• Familiarity with database security practices in regulated or classified environments.
• Experience with Oracle database administration or Oracle-to-PostgreSQL migration.
• CompTIA Security+ certification or equivalent, as required by the applicable customer environment.

Responsibilities

• Administer PostgreSQL database configuration, accounts, roles, permissions, routine maintenance, patching, upgrades, and operational troubleshooting.
• Develop and refine database schemas, data models, indexing strategies, and data access patterns to support application functionality, performance, and evolving requirements.
• Analyze SQL queries and execution plans, identify bottlenecks, and improve queries, indexes, configuration, and resource utilization.
• Collaborate with platform and application teams on PostgreSQL deployment, connectivity, configuration, monitoring, and operational integration with OpenShift-based systems.
• Implement and maintain backup and restore procedures, validate recovery processes, and support high availability, replication, and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Configure and maintain database monitoring, logging, alerting, capacity tracking, and operational reporting to proactively identify and resolve issues.
• Advise software developers on schema design, SQL development, transaction management, data access patterns, and database integration.
• Identify and implement improvements to database performance, reliability, scalability, and maintainability; evaluate appropriate tools and approaches.
• Plan and execute database upgrades, migrations, configuration changes, and modernization efforts while minimizing operational risk and service disruption.
• Document database architecture, configurations, security controls, operational procedures, and recommended engineering practices.
• Maintain database security through access controls, least-privilege permissions, auditing, and practices aligned with customer and system requirements.
• Serve as the primary database technical resource for the engineering team, helping troubleshoot issues and guide database design and operational decisions.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Competitive pay.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement, and jury duty leave.
• Medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts.
• Dental plan options.
• Vision plan.
• Full flex work weeks where possible.
• Short- and long-term disability benefits.
• Life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness, and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available.

What This Job Offers

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