PostgreSQL Database Administrator

AAR; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) match

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

AAR is seeking an experienced PostgreSQL Database Administrator to manage enterprise PostgreSQL environments at our Wood Dale HQ, with planned move to Chicago. You will handle architecture, performance tuning, HA/DR, security, automation, and cross‑functional collaboration.

The role demands 5+ years of PostgreSQL experience, strong migration knowledge, and cloud platform expertise (Azure/AWS). Relocation to Chicago is planned for 2027.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ work experience in PostgreSQL database administration and other related database technologies
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Strong interpersonal skills; the ability to work well with people from many disciplines and with varying degrees of business and technical experience
• Strong, recent database administration technical skills, knowledge and background
• Excellent knowledge of best practices around management, control, and monitoring of database infrastructure
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to describe complex, highly technical issues using simple, clear, and precise language
• Great at organizing, prioritizing, and multitasking
• Strong troubleshooting skills
• Technical writing skills are required for database management documentation and procedures

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, upgrade, clone and maintain PostgreSQL database environments.
• Monitor database health, performance, and availability across production, staging, and development environments.
• Manage database objects including schemas, tables, indexes, partitions, views, functions, and stored procedures.
• Perform regular database maintenance activities such as VACUUM, ANALYZE, REINDEX, Statistics management, Storage optimization.
• Ensure database uptime and operational excellence through proactive monitoring and issue resolution.
• Analyze slow‑running queries and optimize SQL performance.
• Design and maintain effective indexing strategies.
• Perform query execution plan analysis using EXPLAIN, EXPLAIN ANALYZE, pg_stat_statements
• Optimize PostgreSQL configuration parameters such as shared_buffers, work_mem, maintenance_work_mem, effective_cache_size, wal_buffers.
• Identify and eliminate performance bottlenecks related to CPU, memory, storage, and network resources.
• Develop, test, and maintain backup & disaster recovery procedures.
• Execute database refreshes, restores during incidents and recovery operations.
• Implement database security standards and best practices.
• Manage PostgreSQL environments on cloud platforms. Azure Database for PostgreSQL (preferred), AWS RDS for PostgreSQL.
• Implement cloud‑native monitoring and automation.
• Optimize cloud database performance and costs.
• Support hybrid and multi‑cloud database architectures.
• Supports the AAR development staff in the areas of database design as it relates to reliability, resource utilization, practical operations, database environment, bug fixes, and interaction with vendor support

Skills

PostgreSQL

Performance tuning

Backup & DR

Automation scripting

SQL optimization

Cloud databases

Collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Azure Database for PostgreSQL

AWS RDS for PostgreSQL

Oracle

SQL Server

MySQL

Job description

We are seeking an experienced PostgreSQL Database Administrator (DBA) to manage, maintain, optimize, and secure enterprise PostgreSQL database environments. The ideal candidate will be responsible for database architecture, performance tuning, high availability, disaster recovery, security compliance, automation, and supporting mission‑critical applications. This role requires strong technical expertise, proactive problem‑solving skills, and the ability to collaborate with development, infrastructure, cloud, and security teams.

This position is based at our Corporate Headquarters in Wood Dale, IL, with a planned relocation to the Merchandise Mart (Chicago) in early 2027.

What you will be responsible for:

• Install, configure, upgrade, clone and maintain PostgreSQL database environments.
• Monitor database health, performance, and availability across production, staging, and development environments.
• Manage database objects including schemas, tables, indexes, partitions, views, functions, and stored procedures.
• Perform regular database maintenance activities such as VACUUM, ANALYZE, REINDEX, Statistics management, Storage optimization.
• Ensure database uptime and operational excellence through proactive monitoring and issue resolution.
• Analyze slow‑running queries and optimize SQL performance.
• Design and maintain effective indexing strategies.
• Perform query execution plan analysis using EXPLAIN, EXPLAIN ANALYZE, pg_stat_statements
• Optimize PostgreSQL configuration parameters such as shared_buffers, work_mem, maintenance_work_mem, effective_cache_size, wal\_buffers.
• Identify and eliminate performance bottlenecks related to CPU, memory, storage, and network resources.
• Develop, test, and maintain backup & disaster recovery procedures.
• Execute database refreshes, restores during incidents and recovery operations.
• Implement database security standards and best practices.
• Manage PostgreSQL environments on cloud platforms. Azure Database for PostgreSQL (preferred), AWS RDS for PostgreSQL.
• Implement cloud‑native monitoring and automation.
• Optimize cloud database performance and costs.
• Support hybrid and multi‑cloud database architectures.
• Supports the AAR development staff in the areas of database design as it relates to reliability, resource utilization, practical operations, database environment, bug fixes, and interaction with vendor support

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. A Database Administrator should have advanced knowledge of administration of PostgreSQL on on‑prem and cloud. Strong migration experience in Oracle to PostgreSQL, MSSQL Server to PostgreSQL, On‑prem to Azure migration experience preferred. Strong working experience with other database technologies such as Oracle, MSSQL Server, MySQL preferred.

Requirements:

• 5+ years’ work experience in PostgreSQL database administration and other related database technologies
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Strong interpersonal skills; the ability to work well with people from many disciplines and with varying degrees of business and technical experience
• Strong, recent database administration technical skills, knowledge and background
• Excellent knowledge of best practices around management, control, and monitoring of database infrastructure
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to describe complex, highly technical issues using simple, clear, and precise language
• Great at organizing, prioritizing, and multitasking
• Strong troubleshooting skills
• Technical writing skills are required for database management documentation and procedures

Additional Positives for the Position:

• Holding credentials that demonstrates ability to perform a specific level of tasks related to database administration
• Able to review and make decisions regarding the software and hardware required to meet the organization’s needs
• Training users in the proper use of company computer technology
• Troubleshoot database operation errors and slowness
• Experience working with RHEL and Windows environments

Compensation:

The anticipated salary range for this position is $110,000 to $130,000 annually. This range reflects the base salary for candidates who meet the requirements of the role, including experience, education, and location. [In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a 10% bonus.] AAR offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan with employer match, paid time off and holiday pay, as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.

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Job: Information Technology

Primary Location: United States-Illinois-Wood Dale

Schedule: Full-time

Overtime Status: Exempt

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.