Senior DBA - PostgreSQL, RDS & DevOps Tooling

Job Description This is a remote position. We are seeking two to three experienced Database Administrators (DBAs) to support a major database upgrade project. The successful candidates will play a critical role in planning, executing, and validating the migration of our PostgreSQL and AWS RDS environments, ensuring high availability, minimal downtime, and data integrity throughout the process. Work will primarily follow Eastern Standard Time business hours, with flexibility required to perform critical upgrade activities during low-traffic windows such as late evenings or weekends. In addition to core DBA responsibilities, this role requires hands-on experience with Bash scripting, GitHub version control, and automation to support deployment pipelines and operational runbooks. Key Responsibilities • Lead and execute major PostgreSQL and AWS RDS database version upgrades • Develop and maintain detailed upgrade plans, rollback procedures, and runbooks • Perform pre- and post-upgrade database health checks, validation, and performance benchmarking • Monitor, tune, and optimize database performance during and after the migration • Collaborate with application, infrastructure, and DevOps teams to coordinate upgrade activities • Schedule and execute critical tasks during designated low-traffic maintenance windows • Document all procedures, configurations, and changes in a clear and auditable manner • (Role B only) Write and maintain Bash scripts to automate routine DBA tasks and upgrade steps • (Role B only) Manage version-controlled scripts, runbooks, and configs using GitHub Work Schedule & Availability Primary working hours align with Eastern Standard Time (EST). Candidates must be available for scheduled maintenance windows — including evenings and weekends — during critical phases of the upgrade project. Advance notice will be provided for all off-hours activities. Requirements Required Qualifications • 5+ years of hands-on DBA experience with PostgreSQL in production environments • Strong experience with AWS RDS (PostgreSQL engine) and related services (e.g., RDS Proxy, Parameter Groups, CloudWatch, Snapshots, Multi-AZ) • Proven track record of managing major database version upgrades with minimal disruption • Proficiency in query optimization, indexing strategies, vacuum/analyze tuning, and connection management • Experience with database backup, recovery, and point-in-time restore procedures • Solid understanding of high availability and disaster recovery configurations • Strong communication skills and ability to work within a distributed remote team • Proficient in writing Bash shell scripts for automation, health checks, and scheduled tasks • Hands-on experience with GitHub for source control, pull requests, and branching strategies • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code tools is a plus Nice to Have • Experience with AWS Aurora PostgreSQL • Familiarity with Terraform or CloudFormation for infrastructure provisioning • Experience with database monitoring tools (e.g., pgBadger, Datadog, CloudWatch Insights) • Knowledge of pglogical, logical replication, or blue-green deployment strategies • AWS certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Database – Specialty)