Senior Database Developer - AWS/PostgreSQL

TekStream Solutions; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

TekStream Solutions seeks an experienced database-focused engineer to own the database layer of a large federal data platform. You will design, develop, optimize, and maintain scalable databases to support high data throughput and numerous users.

You will work with PostgreSQL/Aurora, DynamoDB, and S3/Iceberg, tuning performance and implementing governance. This role demands strong data modeling and cross-team collaboration in a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of database development or administration experience.
• Strong PostgreSQL/Amazon Aurora experience.
• Experience with DynamoDB and Amazon S3.
• Experience with Apache Iceberg or similar large-scale data table tech.
• Strong physical/logical data modeling and indexing/partitioning.
• Ability to tune SQL and analyze EXPLAIN plans.
• Effective communication and collaboration with technical teams.
• Basic proficiency with Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable database structures and data models.
• Work with Aurora (PostgreSQL-compatible), DynamoDB, and S3/Iceberg.
• Tune performance, indexing, partitioning, and EXPLAIN-plan analysis.
• Develop and maintain PL/pgSQL stored procedures.
• Support schema changes, migrations, and data-loading processes.
• Create reliable data-loading patterns between S3 and relational/Iceberg stores.
• Establish database access controls and governance.
• Troubleshoot database and data-platform performance issues.
• Ensure data solutions meet accuracy, security, and auditability needs of a regulated federal environment.

Skills

PostgreSQL/Amazon Aurora

DynamoDB

Amazon S3

Apache Iceberg

Data modeling

SQL tuning

Data governance

Communication & collaboration

Tools

AWS SCT

EXPLAIN plan analysis

Job description

Clearance: Ability to obtain a Public Trust

About the Role

This position will support the database layer of a large-scale federal enterprise data platform. The role is focused on designing, developing, optimizing, and maintaining databases that can reliably support high volumes of data and users.

You’ll have significant ownership of database design and performance and will work closely with engineering and data teams to build scalable and well-governed data solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable database structures and data models.
• Work extensively with Amazon Aurora (PostgreSQL-compatible), DynamoDB, and Amazon S3/Apache Iceberg.
• Perform database performance tuning, including query optimization, indexing, partitioning, and EXPLAIN-plan analysis.
• Develop and maintain PL/pgSQL stored procedures.
• Support schema changes, database migrations, and data-loading processes.
• Develop reliable data-loading patterns between S3 and relational/Iceberg data stores.
• Help establish appropriate database access controls and governance.
• Troubleshoot database and data-platform performance issues.
• Ensure data solutions meet the accuracy, security, and auditability expectations of a regulated federal environment.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of database development and/or administration experience.
• Strong hands-on experience with PostgreSQL/Amazon Aurora.
• Experience with DynamoDB and Amazon S3.
• Experience with Apache Iceberg or similar large-scale data table technologies.
• Strong understanding of physical database design, including indexing, partitioning, and storage optimization.
• Experience tuning SQL queries and analyzing EXPLAIN plans.
• Strong logical and physical data modeling experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with technical teams.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) or other schema migration tools.
• Experience with Apache Ranger and data-access controls.
• Experience with graph databases such as Amazon Neptune or Neo4j.
• Federal IT or high-volume transaction environment experience.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted developer tools.

What Makes This Opportunity Interesting

This is more than a traditional database development position. You’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of the database layer, work on large-scale data challenges, and contribute to the architecture and performance of a mission-focused federal data platform.