senior database reliability engineer

Randstad Digital New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad Digital New Zealand is seeking a Senior Database Administrator specialized in PostgreSQL to design, implement, and manage AWS Aurora PostgreSQL databases. You will collaborate with DevOps, developers, and product teams to ensure high availability, security, and scalable data solutions.

The role emphasizes PostGIS, automation with CDK/Terraform, and strong DR planning. On-site NZ-based position with emphasis on production reliability and cross-functional work.

Qualifications

• Proven experience with PostgreSQL databases.
• Strong knowledge of AWS database services (RDS/Aurora).
• Experience with PostGIS and geospatial data.
• Agile environment familiarity; SAFe certification preferred.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Experience with automation and scripting (Python, Bash).
• Experience triaging production DB incidents and maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Manage, maintain, and optimise AWS Aurora PostgreSQL databases for high availability and security.
• Design and implement database solutions using AWS Aurora PostgreSQL global databases with CDK and CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support database needs and initiatives.
• Administer PostGIS and other extensions in AWS Aurora PostgreSQL.
• Maintain Postgres TLE scripts and configurations.
• Manage AWS resources with CDK/CloudFormation/Terraform in production.
• Design and maintain disaster recovery orchestration with automated DR testing.
• Monitor and benchmark database performance; build tooling for cluster-wide optimisation.
• Ensure data integrity with backup and recovery strategies.
• Provide production DB support and triage via tickets.
• Support legacy migrations and data integrity during restores.
• Assist cutover/go-live activities, including migrations and dry-runs.

Skills

PostgreSQL

AWS

PostGIS

Python

Bash

CI/CD

CDK

Terraform

AGILE/SAFe

Communication

Education

Bachelor Degree

Tools

CDK

CloudFormation

Terraform

RDS

Aurora

PostGIS

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, maintain, and optimise 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 optimisation 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.

Skills & Experience

• 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).
• Experience triaging and resolving production database incidents/support requests in a timely manner.

Supportive & flexible employer with diverse groups & networks.

Please note, we can only consider applicants that are legally entitled to work in New Zealand at the time of application.

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.

Key Information

DevOps, infrastructure engineer, PostgreSQL, cloud, SAFe, AWS Aurora PostgreSQL, CI/CD pipelines

Education

• Bachelor Degree