Database Reliability Engineer

Alpha Recruitment; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Interesting work

Reduced health insurance premiums

Diverse groups and networks

Parental leave top-up

Annual leave 4 weeks 3 days

Job summary

Alpha Recruitment in Wellington seeks a Senior Database Reliability Engineer with DevOps and infrastructure experience to join our established team. You will manage AWS Aurora PostgreSQL databases, design scalable cloud solutions, and ensure security and high availability across global deployments.

The role requires strong collaboration with developers, DevOps, and Product Owners, plus hands-on work with PostGIS, CDK, CI/CD pipelines, and disaster recovery planning.

Qualifications

• Proven PostgreSQL DBA experience with focus on high availability and security.
• Experience with AWS database services (RDS, Aurora) and PostGIS.
• SAFe or Scaled Agile experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage, optimize, and secure AWS Aurora PostgreSQL databases for high availability and security.
• Design database solutions in AWS Aurora PostgreSQL using CDK and CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with developers, DevOps, and Product Owners on database needs.
• Administer PostGIS and extensions in AWS Aurora PostgreSQL.
• Maintain Postgres scripts and configurations (TLEs).
• Manage AWS resources using CDK/CloudFormation/Terraform in production.
• Design and maintain disaster recovery orchestration and automated DR testing.

Skills

PostgreSQL

AWS

PostGIS

SAFe

Cloud Infrastructure

Scripting (Python Bash)

CDK/CI-CD

Disaster recovery

Tools

AWS CDK

CloudFormation

Terraform

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Alpha Recruitment – Wellington, North Island

We are looking for a permanent Senior Database Reliability Engineer, who has DevOps and infrastructure engineer experience, to join our well-established team.

As a Senior experienced Database Reliability Engineer, you will have expertise in PostgreSQL and cloud technologies. You will have a proven track record of managing, optimizing, and securing database environments, as well as have strong collaboration skills. Experience with SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) is highly desirable.

Skills & Experience

You will:

• Manage, maintain, and optimize AWS Aurora PostgreSQL databases to ensure high availability, and security.
• Design and implement database solutions in AWS Aurora PostgreSQL global databases using CDK and CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers, DevOps, and Product Owners, to support database-related needs and initiatives.
• Administer PostGIS and other extensions in AWS Aurora PostgreSQL.
• Maintain Postgres trusted language extensions (TLE) scripts and configurations.
• Have experience managing AWS resources using cdk/cloudformation/terraform in production environment.
• Design, implement, and maintain disaster recovery orchestration, including automated DR testing and reporting.
• Monitor and benchmark database performance, building tooling to surface cluster-wide optimization opportunities.
• Ensure data integrity and resilience is maintained through effective backup and recovery strategies.
• Provide production database support and triage, diagnosing and resolving issues raised through support tickets (e.g., access/permission requests, index and query issues).
• Support legacy system and database migrations, including engine version compatibility checks and data integrity validation during restores.
• Support cutover and go-live activities, including migration rehearsals/dry-runs, execution, and rollback contingency planning, occasionally outside standard business hours.

You Have:

• Proven experience as a Database Administrator with a focus on PostgreSQL.
• Strong understanding of AWS technologies and experience with AWS database services (e.g., RDS, Aurora).
• Experience with spatial databases and geospatial data, particularly PostGIS.
• Experience working in an Agile environment, with familiarity or certification in SAFe.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience with database automation tools and scripting (e.g., Python, Bash).
• Knowledge of data security practices and compliance requirements.
• Experience triaging and resolving production database incidents/support requests in a timely manner.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible or non-standard hours to support planned cutover/go-live windows.

Nice to Have:

• Certification in PostgreSQL or cloud technologies (Primarily AWS).
• Experience with Serverless technologies (e.g., Lambda).
• Familiarity with other database systems (e.g., MySQL, Redis) is a plus.
• Familiarity with AWS CDK

What We Offer:

• Interesting work which impacts Aotearoa as we care for whenua, moana and arawai.
• Reduced Health Insurance Premiums
• Diverse groups and networks
• If eligible for paid parental leave, you will be entitled to a top up payment for the first 18 weeks of the 26 weeks.
• A minimum of four weeks and three days annual leave