Senior PostgreSQL Database Engineer

General Dynamics IT; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) seeks a Senior PostgreSQL Database Engineer to support operation, design, and continuous improvement of database capabilities for a mission-critical system. The role blends hands-on PostgreSQL administration with database engineering and architecture, serving as the team's primary database expert alongside software developers and systems engineers.

You will manage PostgreSQL for transactional and analytical workloads, leverage OpenShift for

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance and ability to obtain and maintain a polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent education, training, certifications, and experience.
• Five or more years of experience in database administration, database engineering, database architecture, or a related technical discipline.
• Hands-on experience administering and supporting PostgreSQL databases.
• Experience with relational database design, data modeling, SQL, schema development, indexing, and query optimization.
• Experience troubleshooting database issues and managing database users, roles, permissions, and configurations.
• Experience with database backups, restores, upgrades, and routine maintenance.
• Working knowledge of database high availability, replication, and disaster recovery concepts.
• Ability to collaborate with developers and infrastructure engineers to resolve technical issues and improve system performance.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.
• Experience with PostgreSQL enhancements and performance tuning.

Responsibilities

• Administer PostgreSQL databases: Manage database configuration, user accounts, roles, permissions, routine maintenance, patching, upgrades, and operational troubleshooting.
• Design and improve database architectures: Develop and refine schemas, data models, indexing strategies, and data access patterns to support application functionality, performance, and evolving system requirements.
• Optimize database performance: Analyze SQL queries and execution plans, identify performance bottlenecks, and implement improvements to queries, indexes, database configuration, and resource utilization.
• Support database operations in OpenShift environments: Collaborate with platform and application teams to support PostgreSQL deployment, connectivity, configuration, monitoring, and operational integration with OpenShift-based systems.
• Maintain database reliability and recoverability: Implement and maintain backup and restore procedures, validate recovery processes, and support existing high-availability, replication, and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Monitor database health: Configure and maintain database monitoring, logging, alerting, capacity tracking, and operational reporting to identify and resolve issues proactively.
• Collaborate with software developers: Advise on schema design, SQL development, transaction management, data access patterns, and database integration to ensure efficient and reliable application behavior.
• Drive continuous improvement: Identify database performance, reliability, scalability, and maintainability improvements; evaluate appropriate tools and approaches; and implement practical solutions.
• Support database lifecycle management: Plan and execute database upgrades, migrations, configuration changes, and modernization efforts while minimizing operational risk and service disruption.
• Establish and maintain standards: Document database architecture, configurations, security controls, operational procedures, and recommended engineering practices.
• Maintain database security: Apply appropriate access controls, least-privilege permissions, auditing, and security practices in accordance with applicable customer and system requirements.
• Provide technical guidance: Serve as the primary database technical resource for the engineering team, helping troubleshoot issues and make informed decisions about database design and operational practices.

Skills

Database Administration

PostgreSQL Administration

Relational Database Design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related technical discipline

Job description

Type of Requisition

Regular

Clearance Level Must Currently Possess

Top Secret/SCI

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain

Top Secret SCI + Polygraph

Public Trust/Other Required

None

Job Family

IT Infrastructure and Operations

Job Qualifications

• Skills: Database Administration, PostgreSQL Administration, Relational Database Design
• Certifications: None
• Experience: 5 + years of related experience
• US Citizenship Required: Yes

Job Description

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) is seeking a Senior PostgreSQL Database Engineer to support the operation, design, and continuous improvement of database capabilities for a mission-critical system.

This position combines hands‑on PostgreSQL administration with database engineering and architecture. You will serve as the team's primary database subject matter expert, partnering with software developers and systems engineers to maintain reliable database operations while improving database performance, design, security, and maintainability.

Our environment uses PostgreSQL for both transactional and analytical data workloads and leverages OpenShift for application deployment. The ideal candidate enjoys solving practical database challenges, can independently troubleshoot operational issues, and can recommend and implement improvements to how databases are designed, deployed, monitored, and maintained.

What You'll Do

• Administer PostgreSQL databases: Manage database configuration, user accounts, roles, permissions, routine maintenance, patching, upgrades, and operational troubleshooting.
• Design and improve database architectures: Develop and refine schemas, data models, indexing strategies, and data access patterns to support application functionality, performance, and evolving system requirements.
• Optimize database performance: Analyze SQL queries and execution plans, identify performance bottlenecks, and implement improvements to queries, indexes, database configuration, and resource utilization.
• Support database operations in OpenShift environments: Collaborate with platform and application teams to support PostgreSQL deployment, connectivity, configuration, monitoring, and operational integration with OpenShift-based systems.
• Maintain database reliability and recoverability: Implement and maintain backup and restore procedures, validate recovery processes, and support existing high-availability, replication, and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Monitor database health: Configure and maintain database monitoring, logging, alerting, capacity tracking, and operational reporting to identify and resolve issues proactively.
• Collaborate with software developers: Advise on schema design, SQL development, transaction management, data access patterns, and database integration to ensure efficient and reliable application behavior.
• Drive continuous improvement: Identify database performance, reliability, scalability, and maintainability improvements; evaluate appropriate tools and approaches; and implement practical solutions.
• Support database lifecycle management: Plan and execute database upgrades, migrations, configuration changes, and modernization efforts while minimizing operational risk and service disruption.
• Establish and maintain standards: Document database architecture, configurations, security controls, operational procedures, and recommended engineering practices.
• Maintain database security: Apply appropriate access controls, least-privilege permissions, auditing, and security practices in accordance with applicable customer and system requirements.
• Provide technical guidance: Serve as the primary database technical resource for the engineering team, helping troubleshoot issues and make informed decisions about database design and operational practices.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO SUCCEED

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance and ability to obtain and maintain a polygraph. Polygraph sponsorship may be available.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent education, training, certifications, and experience.
• Five or more years of experience in database administration, database engineering, database architecture, or a related technical discipline.
• Hands‑on experience administering and supporting PostgreSQL databases.
• Experience with relational database design, data modeling, SQL, schema development, indexing, and query optimization.
• Experience troubleshooting database issues and managing database users, roles, permissions, and configurations.
• Experience with database backups, restores, upgrades, and routine maintenance.
• Working knowledge of database high availability, replication, and disaster recovery concepts.
• Ability to collaborate with developers and infrastructure engineers to resolve technical issues and improve system performance.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience supporting Postgre