Postgres SQL DBA

Leap29; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A critical infrastructure organization seeks an experienced PostgreSQL Database Administrator to enhance and support a distributed cloud-native EDB PGD environment. This role includes responsibilities such as maintaining database reliability, implementing performance tuning, and ensuring high availability in a security-focused setting. Candidates need to hold valid BPSS clearance and be eligible for SC clearance.

Benefits

Strong extension potential

Excellent day rate

Opportunity to influence modern database architecture

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience with PostgreSQL and EDB PGD.
• Experience in Kubernetes / OpenShift environments.
• UK-based with valid BPSS and eligible for SC clearance.

Responsibilities

• Identify and resolve database performance bottlenecks.
• Enhance database availability and troubleshooting.
• Manage backup and disaster recovery strategies.

Skills

PostgreSQL DBA experience

Performance tuning

Kubernetes expertise

Troubleshooting skills

Automation mindset

Job description

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Location: Wokingham, UK – 2 days/week onsite (expenses covered)
Clearance: BPSS & SC required before start
Duration: 6 months (likely extension)
Sector: Critical National Infrastructure

Overview

We are supporting a critical infrastructure organisation in their search for an experienced PostgreSQL Database Administrator (DBA) to support and enhance a distributed, cloud-native EDB PGD environment. This is a highly sensitive role requiring both BPSS and SC clearance prior to onboarding.

You’ll play a central role in maintaining the performance, availability, and reliability of a geographically distributed Postgres setup, running on Kubernetes and OpenShift clusters. The system is part of a wider, business-critical platform, demanding strong engineering focus and proactive operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Database Reliability & Performance

• Proactively identify and resolve performance bottlenecks
• Enhance database high availability using EDB Postgres Distributed (PGD)
• Troubleshoot issues and outages across a multi-cluster OpenShift setup
• Lead query tuning with tools like EXPLAIN, pg_stat_statements, and index optimization
• Manage capacity planning for CPU, memory, storage, and IOPS

Observability & Operations

• Improve observability tooling: manage metrics, dashboards, and alerts
• Monitor database health and respond to issues (replication lag, disk I/O, memory pressure)
• Manage and test backup and disaster recovery strategies (DR playbooks, failover in ORT)
• Optimize connection pooling to support high-volume applications
• Collaborate with DevOps and application squads during schema changes and deployments

Enhancements & Strategic Support

• Drive database enhancements aligned with platform upgrades and product evolution
• Ensure consistency and integrity across distributed database instances
• Support strategic data initiatives with deep PostgreSQL and Kubernetes expertise

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong hands-on experience as a PostgreSQL DBA, ideally with EDB PGD or equivalent distributed Postgres setups
• Experience running Postgres in Kubernetes / OpenShift environments
• Deep knowledge of PostgreSQL internals, performance tuning, and replication strategies
• Proven ability to work in high-availability, high-security environments
• Familiarity with observability stacks and database performance tooling
• Strong troubleshooting skills and an automation-first mindset
• UK-based with valid BPSS and eligible for SC clearance (or already cleared)

What’s in It for You

• Opportunity to support a high-profile, mission-critical platform
• Influence modern database architecture in a multi-cloud, containerised environment
• Contract with strong extension potential and excellent day rate
• Work alongside experienced engineering teams in a security-conscious, forward-thinking environment