Clearance: Active Secret or above 

Description: The Database Administrator is responsible for managing, maintaining, and optimizing PostgreSQL databases and OpenSearch Indexes hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This role partners closely with application development and architecture teams to ensure high availability, performance, and compliant access controls across data platforms.

Key responsibilities include:

• Database deployment & lifecycle management: Provision, configure, and maintain PostgreSQL databases on AWS RDS, including instance sizing, parameter group configuration, and database creation.
• Performance monitoring & optimization: Monitor database health and tune performance (query analysis, indexing, vacuum/analyze strategies, parameter tuning) to meet reliability and latency targets.
• Backup, recovery & resiliency: Implement and validate backup/restore procedures using AWS RDS capabilities and PostgreSQL features; support disaster recovery planning and testing.
• Security & compliance: Administer database roles, privileges, authentication patterns, and encryption (in transit/at rest) aligned to organizational security requirements and AWS best practices.
• Upgrades & patching: Plan and execute PostgreSQL version upgrades and RDS patching with minimal downtime; maintain compatibility and supportability.
• Automation & infrastructure support: Automate recurring DBA activities using AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), Infrastructure as Code (IaC) such as AWS CloudFormation/Terraform, and scripting.
• Incident response & on-call: Respond to database incidents, conduct root-cause analysis, and implement preventative measures; participate in on-call rotation as needed.
• Documentation & reporting: Maintain runbooks, configuration documentation, and produce periodic health, capacity, and performance reports.

Required Qualifications:

• 1+ years of hands-on experience supporting software development efforts
• Active, fully adjudicated Secret clearance
• Proven experience administering AWS RDS for PostgreSQL (performance, backups, upgrades, monitoring).
• Strong SQL skills and ability to diagnose performance bottlenecks (execution plans, indexing strategies).
• Experience implementing backup/recovery strategies and validating restore procedures.
• Working knowledge of AWS monitoring and security fundamentals (e.g., Amazon CloudWatch, AWS IAM, encryption, network controls).
• Proficiency with Linux/Unix and scripting/automation (e.g., Bash, Python).
• Experience provisioning and maintaining OpenSearch access controls (RBAC / least privilege), including troubleshooting permissions issues.
• Strong communication skills; able to translate technical constraints into clear guidance for engineers and stakeholders