(Senior) Specialist, Database Engineering (Helsinki/Oulu)

OP Pohjola; Helsinki; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

OP Pohjola is seeking a Specialist in Database Engineering to administer on-premises databases in our datacenter, focusing on Db2 for z/OS and Db2 LUW. The role is available in Helsinki or Oulu, in a hybrid model aligned to customer needs and role requirements.

You will manage performance, capacity planning, security, and compliance, while guiding vendors in data integrity, updates and patches. Tier 3 support and change management are part of the remit within the Datacenter and Connectivity

Qualifications

• Experience with on-premises databases and datacenter operations.
• Strong Db2 administration and performance tuning.
• Vendor management and Tier 3 support experience.
• Knowledge of Linux/Windows/Unix environments.

Responsibilities

• Administer on-premises Db2 databases in the datacenter.
• Monitor performance, capacity planning and security of databases.
• Guide vendors on data integrity, patches and upgrades to meet SLAs.
• Provide Tier 3 level support and contribute to change management.

Skills

Db2 for z/OS

Db2 for LUW

Db2 administration

SQL performance tuning

Change management

ITIL processes

English fluency

Education

ITIL certification

Tools

DMC

QMF

Azure IaC

Job description

Join us as a colleague

We are seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Specialist to join the Production Services department within OP Pohjola's Development and Technologies organization. In this role, you will be responsible for administering database solutions within OP Pohjola's datacenter environment, with a particular focus on either Db2 for z/OS or Db2 for LUW (or both).

The position is available either in Helsinki or Oulu. At OP Pohjola, we work in a hybrid model where our ways of working are guided by our customers' needs, our business objectives, and the nature of each role.

Why this role?

As a Specialist in Database Engineering, you will be responsible for managing, developing and optimizing on-premises databases in our datacenter environment. Your responsibilities include database performance, capacity planning & monitoring, maintenance and security. You will also ensure that our databases remain compliant, stable, and cost-effective.

In this role, you will guide vendors in areas such as data integrity, updates and patches — ensuring service levels are met and agreed deliverables are fulfilled.

Your work includes providing Tier 3-level support to vendors and internal stakeholders across OP Pohjola. You are also participating in change management, steering, advisory, and consulting. You will report your results to Production Lead of Datacenter and Connectivity Services Tribe.

If you are passionate about ensuring smooth operations and have a strong track record in delivering business-critical services, we want to hear from you.

What We Expect From You

Join a workplace where you'll collaborate with top professionals at OP Pohjola and work closely with international vendors. Our team is made up of the best experts in the field, all committed to ensuring the continuity and quality of our services. We work together to make sure our datacenter and connectivity services operate smoothly and efficiently to support business needs.

Our work community is known for its high level of expertise, international collaboration, and unwavering focus on quality in production. Working with global vendors provides a unique opportunity for continuous learning and development. We offer an open and supportive work environment, where everyone’s input is valued, and individual ideas and perspectives are encouraged.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an experienced Specialist with a strong background of the following

• You are a seasoned Database Engineering professional with deep technical expertise in database technologies, with a particular focus on Db2 for z/OS and/or Db2 for LUW


• You have strong experience in Db2 administration, configuration, and monitoring


• You know how to monitor performance, analyze SQL, optimize queries and tune database parameters for efficiency


• You master performing routine tasks (reorg, statistics), handling incidents and support requests


• You are familiar with monitoring tools (eg. DMC, QMF, etc), with Db2 HADR


• Broader DBA experience with Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, or PostgreSQL is highly valued


• Familiarity with Linux, Windows, Unix OS is an asset


• Experience with Azure IaC and managing databases in cloud is considered a strong advantage


• You apply ITIL processes linking cloud solutions to processes (ITIL certification)


• You are a professional capable of providing Tier 3-level support in demanding projects and solving situations that require deep technical expertise


• Services are created to meet business needs, so you have a strong understanding of business application priorities, technologies, dependencies, and both production and development processes


• You are fluent in English, and Finnish language skills are considered an advantage

To succeed in this role, you're someone who thrives on challenges and is motivated by securing the continuity of critical services. This position gives you a chance to make full use of your skills while continuing to develop professionally. You're also someone who gets along with different kinds of people and navigates challenges with a solution-focused mindset. If you draw energy from dynamic production environments and can handle occasional pressure, this is the right place for you.

Why OP Pohjola?

We are one of the largest software companies in Finland. By joining us, you will become part of the Development and Technologies organization within our group. Our organization develops digital services and systems for both our customers and our own personnel. We are responsible for OP Pohjola's ICT strategy, technology guidelines, architecture, shared platforms, infrastructure, data platforms, continuity management, and the cybersecurity of the entire group. In total, the area employs 5,000 IT professionals from both our own staff and our partners.

We also encourage and help you to further develop yourself as a technical professional. We have the so called "70/20/10 rule" in use, which means you will use 70% of your time for your daily tasks, 20% to develop the way you do those tasks, and the last 10% is reserved for you to learn and try new things. You will also have our OP Tech Academy at your disposal in case you are interested.

It wouldn't be fair if we had nothing to offer you. We have a wide range of staff benefits including a personnel fund and special terms for employee banking, insurance, and loan services. We offer comprehensive occupational health care, extensive medical treatment expenses insurance and a full-time group accident insurance policy. We invest in wellbeing at work by encouraging a good work-life balance, providing flexibility in your daily life, and offering lunch, sport and cultural benefits and opportunities for affordable holidays in OP Pohjola timeshares.

Did we spark your interest?

The application period is open until Sunday 8.11.2026.

Do you have some questions related to the role in your mind? Competence Lead Jaakko Ahopelto (tel. [phone] or jaakko.ahopelto(at)op.fi) and Production Lead Vasanthakumar Radhakrishnan ([phone]) will be happy to answer you. You can best reach Jaakko by phone on Tuesday, 3 November between 9.30 and 10.30, and Vasanthakumar on Tuesdays and on Thursdays between 16:00 and 17:00.

We operate in the financial sector and our business is founded on trust and accountability. For this reason, we will check the successful candidate's credit history, corporate connections and potential conflicts of interest. In addition, the successful candidate must take a drug test and will be subject to a security clearance vetting by the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service.

OP Pohjola

OP Pohjola is a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We want everyone to feel welcome, respected, and appreciated. We believe that different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences make us stronger. Growth comes from embracing these differences and learning from one another. We encourage everyone to apply for opportunities with us. We're delighted that you're interested in joining us on our journey.

We are owned by our customers and are the most attractive employer in the financial sector in Finland. OP Pohjola employs over 15 000 professionals in the field. Working with us is meaningful not only to our employees but also to others, as Finlands largest financial institution, we help build a more hopeful future through our work. We've been doing this for over 120 years.