Senior Database Administrator

Derivco; Pretoria, Durban; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Derivco seeks a highly skilled Database Administrator (Level 3) to manage enterprise-scale PostgreSQL and SQL Server environments, optimise performance, and ensure high availability across critical systems.

The role is hands-on, focusing on HA/DR design, automation, and cloud-enabled modernization. Based in Pretoria or Durban, this permanent position offers a path in a high-performance tech organisation.

Qualifications

• 6–10 years of progressive experience in database administration within enterprise environments.
• A relevant degree in Information Technology or Computer Science or related discipline.
• Strong experience administering SQL Server and/or PostgreSQL in production environments, with PostgreSQL preferred.
• Experience with high availability, disaster recovery, backup and replication across relational databases.
• Advanced PostgreSQL administration, monitoring, maintenance, and performance tuning.
• Scripting/automation experience using PowerShell, Bash, Python or similar.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain high availability, DR solutions including clustering, replication, and failover.
• Develop and manage data movement and replication across large database estates.
• Administer, monitor, and optimise PostgreSQL and SQL Server environments.
• Identify and resolve performance, stability, and reliability issues.
• Perform advanced performance tuning using execution plans, indexing, and profiling tools.
• Drive database automation and self-service tooling to improve operational efficiency.

Skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or Computer Science

Tools

PostgreSQL

SQL Server

PowerShell

Bash

Python

ClickHouse DB

FoundationDB

LGTM Stack (Loki Grafana Tempo Mimir)

Job description

We're looking for a highly skilled Database Administrator (Level 3) who is passionate about managing enterprise-scale database environments, driving performance optimisation, and ensuring high availability across critical systems.

This is a hands-on specialist role where you'll work across modern relational database platforms, with a particular focus on PostgreSQL environments. We are looking for experienced database professionals who have strong SQL Server administration skills and practical PostgreSQL experience, as well as candidates whose primary expertise is PostgreSQL. You will play a key role in ensuring database reliability, performance, scalability, and security across our technology landscape. If you thrive in operational excellence and enjoy solving complex production challenges, this role is for you.

What You'll Do

• Design, implement, and maintain high availability and disaster recovery solutions, including clustering, replication, and failover technologies.
• Develop and manage complex data movement and replication architectures across large database estates.
• Administer, monitor, and optimise PostgreSQL and SQL Server database environments.
• Proactively identify and resolve performance, stability, and reliability issues.
• Perform advanced performance tuning using execution plans, indexing strategies, wait statistics, and profiling tools.
• Investigate incidents, conduct root cause analysis, and implement effective remediation strategies.
• Drive database automation initiatives using scripting and self-service tooling to improve operational efficiency.
• Support infrastructure modernisation projects, including cloud adoption and optimisation initiatives.
• Ensure database security, compliance, and governance through controls such as encryption, auditing, and access management.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and operational standards.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior database administrators.
• Participate in critical incident response and provide after-hours support when required.

What We're Looking For

• 6 to 10 years of progressive experience in database administration within enterprise environments.
• A relevant degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong experience administering SQL Server and/or PostgreSQL databases in production environments.
• Experience with PostgreSQL is highly preferred, however candidates with extensive SQL Server experience and some PostgreSQL exposure will also be considered.
• Proven experience with high availability, disaster recovery, backup and recovery, and replication technologies across relational database platforms.
• Strong understanding of PostgreSQL administration, monitoring, maintenance, and performance optimisation.
• Advanced skills in database performance tuning, query optimisation, indexing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with automation and scripting using PowerShell, Bash, Python, or similar technologies.
• Experience with ClickHouse DB, FoundationDB, LGTM Stack (Loki, Grafana, Tempo, Mimir), Rybbit, or Valkey would be advantageous.
• Exposure to cloud platforms and modern infrastructure environments.
• Solid understanding of database security, compliance, and data governance practices.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage critical incidents independently.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively across technical and business stakeholders.
• A collaborative team player who values knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

• Play a critical role in maintaining and optimising enterprise-scale database platforms.
• Gain exposure to modern cloud technologies, automation frameworks, and large-scale data environments.
• Work in a collaborative, high-performance engineering environment.
• Contribute to infrastructure modernisation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Be part of a culture that values technical excellence, accountability, and innovation.
• Enjoy the stability and growth opportunities that come with a permanent position in a forward-thinking technology organisation.

If you're passionate about database reliability, performance optimisation, PostgreSQL technologies, and scalable data platforms, we'd love to hear from you. Candidates with strong SQL Server backgrounds and exposure to PostgreSQL are encouraged to apply.

This vacancy will be based in Pretoria or Durban