Data Engineer III — Database & Platform Engineering

Playlist; San Luis Obispo (CA); Remote; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Playlist is seeking a Data Engineer to join the DBA team within the Data Platform Engineering group. You will build, operate, and optimize database infrastructure, focusing on Microsoft SQL Server across Mindbody, Booker, and the broader Playlist platform.

You will troubleshoot production SQL Server environments on Windows and Linux, write scripts in PowerShell and Python to reduce manual work, and collaborate with engineers to improve deployment and developer experience.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience supporting or engineering production Microsoft SQL Server environments, including database administration and complex troubleshooting in Windows and Linux.
• Strong SQL skills, including query analysis, investigation, and performance tuning.
• Experience using PowerShell and Python to script or automate technical tasks.
• Ability to triage production problems, investigate complex issues, identify root causes, and implement durable solutions.
• Experience improving systems through automation, software engineering, or reliable operational practices.
• Comfort communicating technical trade-offs with internal engineering partners.
• Experience in mentoring engineers and shaping technical roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Build, operate, and improve reliable database infrastructure supporting Mindbody, Booker, and Playlist platform.
• Support and troubleshoot production Microsoft SQL Server environments, including query performance and availability.
• Develop scripts and automation to reduce manual work and enable self-service database operations for engineering teams.
• Partner with application engineers to investigate database issues and improve developer experience.
• Drive modernization of database infrastructure, including migrations and deployment/testing improvements.
• Document technical decisions and share knowledge to improve data-system operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and drive projects end-to-end.

Skills

Microsoft SQL Server

SQL

PowerShell

Python

Job description

At Playlist, life's richest moments happen when people step away from screens to move, connect, explore, and play. We're building the definitive platform for intentional living, connecting people with inspiring experiences in fitness, wellness, and beyond. With popular brands like Mindbody and ClassPass, Playlist empowers businesses and individuals, making it effortless for aspirations to become actions. Join us in reshaping technology's role to foster meaningful, real-world connections.

Mindbody equips wellness entrepreneurs with technology to support thriving businesses and create exceptional experiences. Innovation and curiosity drive our culture, connecting businesses and individuals through cutting-edge solutions. Join us if you're passionate about enhancing wellness through technology.

About This Team:

Our Database Administration (DBA) team is part of Playlist's Data Platform Engineering organization, responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, and performance of the database infrastructure supporting Mindbody and Booker.You'll join a globally distributed team that partners closely with software engineers to support critical production systems, troubleshoot complex database issues, and improve the developer experience.

While much of our work today centers on Microsoft SQL Server, we're also focused on modernizing our infrastructure through automation, self-service tooling, and evolving database technologies. We're looking for a Data Engineer who enjoys solving technical challenges, takes ownership of problems, and is excited to help shape the future of our database platform.

The Role You'll Play

• Build, operate, and improve reliable, secure, and performant database infrastructure supporting Mindbody, Booker, and the broader Playlist platform.

• Support and troubleshoot production Microsoft SQL Server environments, including query performance, database availability, and operational incidents.

• Develop scripts, tools, and automation that reduce manual work and enable more efficient, self-service database operations for engineering teams.

• Partner with application engineers to investigate database issues, support safe changes, and improve the developer experience.

• Contribute to the modernization of our database infrastructure, including migration initiatives and improvements to deployment, testing, and infrastructure management.

• Identify opportunities to improve existing processes, propose practical solutions, and independently drive projects from investigation through delivery.

• Work across teams to document technical decisions, share knowledge, and continuously improve how we operate critical data systems.

Experience You Bring

• Hands-on experience supporting or engineering production Microsoft SQL Server environments, including database administration and complex troubleshooting in both Windows and Linux operating systems.

• StrongSQL skills, including query analysis, investigation, and performance tuning.

• Experience usingPowerShell and Python to script or automate technical and operational work.

• Ability to triage production problems, investigate complex issues, identify root causes, and implement durable solutions.

• Experience improving systems through automation, software engineering, or more reliable operational practices.

• Comfort working with internal engineering partners and communicating technical trade-offs clearly.

• Experience in mentoring engineers, influencing technical roadmaps, and advocating for best practices

• Curiosity, initiative, and a track record of independently learning new technologies and improving existing ways of working.

Helpful, But Not Required

• Experience with PostgreSQL, AWS RDS & Aurora, MongoDB (or other NoSQL data platforms), Snowflake, or database modernization and migration projects.

• Familiarity with Linux, AWS, Azure, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, and automated testing.

• Development experience with languages or tools such as Python, TypeScript, Go, Pulumi, AWS Lambda or Glue.

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We highly value diversity at our company and encourage people of all different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or other protected characteristics.