Senior PostgreSQL Database Engineer

D2 Technical Services • Springfield, VA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

This 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 database operations and improve database performance, design, security, and maintainability. The environment uses PostgreSQL for transactional and analytical workloads and OpenShift for application deployment.

The role administers PostgreSQL databases, designs and optimizes schemas and data access, supports database operations in OpenShift, and maintains monitoring, security, backup, recovery, and lifecycle practices. It also provides technical guidance, documents standards and procedures, and drives practical improvements to database performance, reliability, scalability, and maintainability.

The position is on-site at the customer location and requires an active TS/SCI clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain a polygraph. The typical salary range is $145,000–$155,000, with actual compensation based on factors including education, experience, certifications, and other requirements.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI security clearance and ability to obtain and maintain a polygraph; sponsorship may be available.
• 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 both 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, user accounts, roles, permissions, maintenance, patching, upgrades, and operational troubleshooting.
• Develop and refine schemas, data models, indexing strategies, and data access patterns to support application functionality, performance, and evolving requirements.
• Analyze SQL queries and execution plans, identify performance bottlenecks, and improve queries, indexes, database 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 identify and resolve issues proactively.
• Advise software developers on schema design, SQL development, transaction management, data access patterns, and database integration.
• Identify and implement practical 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.
• Apply access controls, least-privilege permissions, auditing, and other security practices in accordance with customer and system requirements.
• Serve as the primary database technical resource for the engineering team, helping troubleshoot issues and make informed design and operational decisions.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) match
• Accrued PTO
• Short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Referral bonuses
• Professional development reimbursement

What This Job Offers

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