Senior PostgreSQL Database Engineer

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT); St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 124,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) seeks a Senior PostgreSQL Database Engineer to support mission-critical database capabilities. The role combines PostgreSQL administration with database engineering and architecture, serving as the team's primary database SME and collaborating with developers and systems engineers to enhance performance, security, and reliability.

The environment uses PostgreSQL for transactional and analytical workloads, with OpenShift for deployment.

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.
• 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.

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 / related field

Tools

OpenShift

PostgreSQL

SQL

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 PostgreSQL in OpenShift, Kubernetes, containerized, or Linux-based environments.
• Experience with PostgreSQL replication, failover, connection pooling, or high-availability technologies.
• Experience with database monitoring, logging, alerting, and performance diagnostics.
• Experience supporting both transactional and analytical data workloads.
• Experience with database automation, scripting, infrastructure as code, or repeatable deployment practices.
• Experience planning and executing database migrations, upgrades, and modernization initiatives.
• Familiarity with database security practices in regulated or classified environments.
• Experience with Oracle database administration or Oracle-to-PostgreSQL migration.
• CompTIA Security+ certification or equivalent, as required by the applicable customer environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Location: On-site at the customer location.
• Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI required; ability to obtain and maintain a polygraph. Sponsorship may be available.
• Primary Database Technology: PostgreSQL.
• Application Platform: OpenShift.
• Other Technologies: Oracle experience is beneficial but not required.

US Citizenship Required

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE

• Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
• Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
• Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
• Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace

#RoverGSS

The likely salary range for this position is $124,093 - $154,100. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40

Travel Required:
None

T elecommuting Options:
Onsite

Work Location:
USA VA Springfield

Additional Work Locations:
USA MO St. Louis

Total Rewards at GDIT:
Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.

Our Identity Verification Process:
As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.

About Our Work:
We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.

Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at
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Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans