Database Administrator

Searchability NS&D; Northwood; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 10%

Private medical

Income protection

Life assurance

Leave 25 days

Career progression

Job summary

Searchability NS&D is seeking an experienced Database Administrator with SC clearance to support secure platforms across cloud and on‑prem environments in the UK. You will manage PostgreSQL databases, optimize performance, and collaborate with data engineers and scientists on data pipelines.

The role requires hands‑on expertise in PostgreSQL (and Oracle/MS SQL Server as applicable), data modelling, security controls including RLS, and a proactive approach to reliability and resilience.

Qualifications

• Strong PostgreSQL DBA experience in enterprise or secure environments.
• Experience with PostgreSQL extensions such as PostGIS.
• Experience on cloud and on‑premise platforms with data security.

Responsibilities

• Manage PostgreSQL database clusters across cloud and on‑premise environments.
• Monitor, tune, and optimise database performance.
• Design and maintain scalable database schemas, tables, and views.
• Manage database migrations and data structures across environments, including offline deployments.
• Define backup, recovery, and failover strategies.
• Manage database security, roles, permissions, and Row Level Security (RLS).
• Support data ingestion from diverse sources with engineering and data teams.
• Collaborate with infrastructure teams on installation, patching, and configuration.
• Own and evolve core data models within the platform.
• Perform database performance tuning, optimisation, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with query optimisation and index tuning.
• Experience with execution plan analysis.
• Experience managing PostgreSQL clustering and failover strategies.
• Strong data modelling and schema design experience.
• Knowledge of backup and recovery methodologies.
• Experience storing and managing JSON objects within PostgreSQL.
• Strong stakeholder communication and collaborative working skills.

Skills

PostgreSQL

Data modelling

Performance tuning

SC clearance

Stakeholder comms

Oracle

MS SQL Server

Tools

PostgreSQL

Oracle

MS SQL Server

PostGIS

Job description

Location: Hybrid – Minimum 2 days per week onsite - Northwood or Andover or Corsham

Salary: Up to £60k DoE+ Excellent Benefits Package

Clearance: Active SC Cleared required (DV Clearance highly desirable)

Database Administrator – SC Cleared

Are you an experienced PostgreSQL DBA looking to work on secure, large-scale platforms across cloud and on-premise environments?

We’re working with a leading global technology and digital transformation organisation seeking a Database Administrator, skilled in PostgreSQL and/or Oracle, to support critical platforms operating within secure environments.

This is an opportunity to join a highly collaborative engineering team delivering complex data-driven solutions across enterprise and government-focused programmes.

You’ll work closely with infrastructure teams, data engineers, and data scientists to manage and evolve core PostgreSQL data platforms supporting complex applications and data pipelines.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Managing PostgreSQL database clusters across multiple cloud and on-premise environments
• Monitoring, tuning, and optimising database performance
• Designing and maintaining scalable database schemas, tables, and views
• Managing database migrations and data structures across environments, including offline deployments
• Defining backup, recovery, and failover strategies
• Managing database security, roles, permissions, and Row Level Security (RLS)
• Supporting data ingestion from a wide range of sources alongside engineering and data teams
• Working with infrastructure teams on installation, patching, and database configuration
• Owning and evolving core data models within the platform
• Strong PostgreSQL DBA experience within enterprise or secure environments
• Database performance tuning, optimisation, and troubleshooting
• Experience with:
• Query optimisation Index tuning
• Execution plan analysis
• Experience managing PostgreSQL clustering and failover strategies
• Strong data modelling and schema design experience
• Knowledge of backup and recovery methodologies
• Experience storing and managing JSON objects within PostgreSQL
• Strong stakeholder communication and collaborative working skills

Experience with PostgreSQL extensions such as:

• PostGIS A

Additional experience with Oracle and/or MS SQL Server

Experience supporting data science or data engineering environments

Exposure to secure or highly regulated environments

Security Clearance

Due to the nature of the work, candidates must hold active SC Clearance as a minimum.

DV eligibility is highly desirable.

Candidates must have lived and worked continuously in the UK for the past 5–7 years.

• Matched pension contributions up to 10%
• Private medical cover Income protection
• Life assurance 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Excellent career progression and training opportunities