Experience: 10+ years overall, 5+ years AWS/Terraform/PostgreSQL
Job Description & Details
"PostgreSQL database expertise is in high demand as companies migrate critical workloads to the cloud. This role focuses on optimizing PostgreSQL on AWS, a niche that blends deep database knowledge with modern infrastructure skills. Joining a Phoenix\u2011based team offers a hands\u2011on opportunity to lead performance tuning and cloud automation.\n\n# Job Summary\nWe are seeking an experienced PostgreSQL DBA to design, administer, and fine\u2011tune databases on Amazon RDS/Aurora and self\u2011managed EC2 instances. The candidate will leverage AWS services and Terraform to automate provisioning, ensure high availability, and drive cost\u2011effective performance improvements. This onsite position requires strong collaboration with engineering teams to support mission\u2011critical applications.\n\n# Top 3 Critical Skills Table\n| Skill | Why it's critical | Mastery Level |\n|-------|-------------------|--------------|\n| PostgreSQL Administration | Core responsibility for performance, security, and reliability of data stores | Senior |\n| AWS (RDS/Aurora, EC2) | Enables cloud\u2011native deployment, scaling, and disaster recovery | Senior |\n| Terraform (IaC) | Automates infrastructure provisioning, ensuring repeatable and auditable environments | Senior |\n\n# Interview Preparation\n1. **How do you diagnose and resolve a slow query in Aurora PostgreSQL?**\n *What the interviewer is looking for:* Understanding of EXPLAIN ANALYZE, indexing strategies, and Aurora\u2011specific tuning parameters.\n2. **Explain the steps to set up automated backups and point\u2011in\u2011time recovery for PostgreSQL on RDS.**\n *What the interviewer is looking for:* Knowledge of RDS backup windows, retention policies, and recovery procedures.\n3. **Describe how you would use Terraform to provision a multi\u2011AZ PostgreSQL cluster.**\n *What the interviewer is looking for:* Ability to write reusable modules, manage state, and configure AWS resources like subnet groups and parameter groups.\n4. **What are the security best practices for PostgreSQL in a cloud environment?**\n *What the interviewer is looking for:* Encryption at rest/transit, IAM integration, role\u2011based access, and network isolation (VPC, security groups).\n5. **How do you handle database schema migrations in a zero\u2011downtime deployment?**\n *What the interviewer is looking for:* Experience with tools like Flyway or Liquibase, blue\u2011green deployments, and careful versioning.\n\n# Resume Optimization\n- PostgreSQL\n- DBA\n- AWS\n- Amazon RDS\n- Aurora PostgreSQL\n- EC2\n- Terraform\n- Cloud Infrastructure\n- Database Optimization\n- Onsite\n\n# Application Strategy\nWhen emailing the recruiter, start with a brief greeting, attach your updated resume, and clearly reference the PostgreSQL DBA role. Highlight your 10+ years of database experience, especially your 5+ years managing PostgreSQL on AWS with Terraform. Make sure to mention related skills you possess, such as **AWS RDS/Aurora**, **Terraform automation**, and **performance tuning**.\n\n# Career Roadmap\n| Current Role | Typical Experience | Core Focus | Next Position |\n|--------------|-------------------|------------|---------------|\n| DBA \u2013 PostgreSQL | 10+ years (incl. 5+ years AWS/Terraform) | Database performance, cloud automation, security | Senior DBA \u2013 Cloud Databases |\n| Senior DBA \u2013 Cloud Databases | 5\u20137 years leading DB initiatives | Architecture, multi\u2011cloud strategy, team mentorship | DB Architecture Lead |\n| DB Architecture Lead | 3\u20135 years overseeing enterprise data platforms | Strategic planning, cross\u2011team governance, budgeting | Director of Data Engineering |\n"