PostgreSQL Database Administrator

Role :PostgreSQL Database Administrator (DBA) Location : ST Louis , MO (100% Onsite) Mode : Contract Position Overview We are seeking an experienced PostgreSQL Database Administrator with deep expertise in database performance tuning, backup and recovery, high availability, replication, and troubleshooting. The ideal candidate should have hands-on experience with Postgres (EDB, Open Source, or AWS Aurora Postgres) in enterprise-scale environments, with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex database issues. Responsibilities • Database Administration & Performance • Monitor and troubleshoot high CPU usage, memory bottlenecks, and long-running queries. • Analyze query execution plans, detect sequential scans, and optimize query/index usage. • Rebuild and manage indexes; investigate cases where indexes are not being used. • Perform database tuning, parameter optimization, and query performance improvements. • Vacuum & Auto-Vacuum Management • Configure, monitor, and tune auto-vacuum parameters (thresholds, scale factor, max workers, etc.). • Understand and manage vacuum, vacuum full, and analyze operations. • Handle table/index bloat issues and minimize vacuum impact on running queries. • Database Upgrades & Migration • Support PostgreSQL version upgrades (e.g., PG 13 → PG 14), ensuring query plan stability. • Validate and fix query execution plan changes post-upgrade. • Run vacuum full/analyze after migrations to ensure optimal performance. • High Availability & Failover • Configure and manage PostgreSQL failover/recovery mechanisms with tools like EDB Failover Manager (EFM). • Investigate failover delays and optimize failover times. • Configure and manage replication (physical, logical, streaming, BDR, Aurora, etc.). • Ensure seamless synchronization between primary and standby clusters. • Backup & Recovery • Implement backup strategies including physical (pg_basebackup), logical (pg_dump/pg\_restore), and point-in-time recovery (PITR). • Schedule and automate backups. • Configure BSR (Block Streaming Replication) and ensure backup integrity. • Restore corrupted WAL files and manage recovery.conf settings. • Security & Encryption • Implement encryption methods at rest and in transit for PostgreSQL databases. • Ensure compliance with organizational and industry security standards. • Cluster & Instance Management • Install, configure, and manage multiple PostgreSQL instances on a single server. • Troubleshoot cluster installation issues and handle cases of shared data directories. • Manage pg\_resetwal operations and database restart issues. • Cloud & Aurora PostgreSQL • Work with AWS Aurora PostgreSQL, understanding its replication model and optimizations. • Compare and leverage Aurora’s replication vs. traditional BDR methods. Required Skills & Experience • 5+ years of hands-on experience as a PostgreSQL DBA/Engineer. • Strong expertise in performance tuning, query optimization, and execution plans. • Deep understanding of vacuum processes, autovacuum tuning, and index management. • Experience with backup & recovery strategies including PITR, pg\_basebackup, WAL management. • Proficiency in replication, failover, and high availability configurations. • Hands-on experience with PostgreSQL upgrades and migrations. • Strong knowledge of B-tree, BRIN, and other indexing methods. • Familiarity with AWS RDS/Aurora PostgreSQL and replication differences. • Good troubleshooting skills with ability to handle production incidents. Preferred Qualifications • Experience with EDB Postgres Advanced Server. • Knowledge of Linux system administration for database environments. • Experience in automation (Shell, Python, Ansible, Terraform) for DBA tasks. • Prior exposure to large-scale, mission-critical production environments. • Strong problem-solving skills; ability to identify and prevent production risks