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- Tasks: Lead the automation and management of PostgreSQL databases while optimising infrastructure.
- Company: Join Tripadvisor, a diverse team revolutionising travel with a people-powered platform.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work options, competitive salary, and a vibrant company culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team impacting millions while growing your skills in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 10 years in database operations, 5 years with PostgreSQL, and strong Python programming skills required.
- Other info: This role involves significant leadership and communication with cross-functional teams.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We believe that we are better together, and at Tripadvisor we welcome you for who you are. Our workplace is for everyone, as is our people powered platform. At Tripadvisor, we want you to bring your unique perspective and experiences, so we can collectively revolutionize travel and together find the good out there.
The Site Operations team at Tripadvisor is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the core systems that power and support the tripadvisor.com website. This includes systems in both private data centers and over a hundred accounts in AWS. Our scope of responsibilities is vast and would take an entire page to list here. Suffice it to say that we are the go-to team for questions about the interface boundaries that lie between these two halves of the company, as well as the deep inner workings of the legacy half.
Data at Tripadvisor is hugely important, and as a result, we have over 600 on-premise logical databases running on over 100 database hosts serving petabytes of data. As a Principal Software Engineer/DBA on the SiteOps team, you will be a force multiplier for our engineering & operations teams, delivering tooling & infrastructure that not only has a direct impact on day-to-day operations but also helps contribute to the future evolution of Infrastructure & Engineering here at Tripadvisor. You will be part of a dynamic team responsible for ensuring the high availability, reliability, and scalability of our data maintenance and delivery.
We are looking for passionate engineers with deep experience in Postgres, as well as AWS DMS, RDS, and Aurora, to help us optimize and automate our infrastructure and deployment processes around our databases. We are currently involved in several types of systems migrations, within both the scope of on-prem to AWS/cloud-native migrations, as well as on-prem data centers to alternate AWS-based data center migrations. As a Principal Software Engineer/DBA, you will be involved in designing and implementing how we perform those migrations, testing those migrations, and then performing them with a “no surprises in production” mindset. In addition, you will have a major role in evolving the infrastructure as code and configuration management we use to both keep the lights on for our existing on-prem databases and transition them into the cloud. This is a business-facing role, and as such, significant leadership and communication experience is required.
What you’ll do:
- Infrastructure Automation: Design, implement, and maintain automated infrastructure provisioning and configuration management using Python, Ansible, and Typescript CDK to ensure consistency and scalability.
- Monitoring and Alerting: Set up monitoring and logging systems to proactively detect and address potential issues, ensuring optimal performance and reliability, in environments like on-prem Prometheus/Thanos, as well as Grafana Cloud and Loki.
- Database Management: Manage hundreds of on-prem PostgreSQL databases, including performance tuning, backups, disaster recovery strategies, and their active/passive counterparts in AWS.
- Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, system administrators, and technical managers, to improve the overall development and deployment processes, and keep everyone in sync as to deliverables and timelines.
- Troubleshooting and Incident Management: Assist in identifying and resolving operational issues and participate in on-call rotations.
Skills & Experience:
- 10 years of expertise in database operations with a focus on building and maintaining scalable infrastructures around data.
- 5 years of working directly with PostgreSQL at a Senior level is essential.
- 5 years of experience in leadership and communicating with the business.
- Strong programming experience with Python is essential.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, agile environment.
- Solid understanding of AWS-based data management technologies.
- Experience in configuration management using Ansible.
- Experience with infrastructure as code using CDK.
- Understanding of CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, and GitHub Actions.
- Understanding of networking concepts such as load balancing and DNS is also a plus.
- Knowledge of containerization technologies like Docker and container orchestration tools such as Kubernetes is a plus.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
Contact Detail:
Job Traffic Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer (PostgreSQL)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, especially PostgreSQL, AWS DMS, and Ansible. Having hands-on experience or projects that showcase your skills in these areas can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Tripadvisor on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which you can leverage during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership and communication experiences in detail. Since this role requires significant interaction with cross-functional teams, having concrete examples of how you've successfully led projects or communicated complex ideas will be crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in database management and cloud technologies. Being able to discuss recent developments or innovations in these fields during your interview can demonstrate your passion and commitment to continuous learning.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer (PostgreSQL)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with PostgreSQL and AWS technologies. Emphasise any leadership roles you've held and specific projects that demonstrate your skills in database management and infrastructure automation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and how your unique experiences align with Tripadvisor's mission. Mention specific examples of how you've contributed to similar projects in the past, particularly in automating infrastructure and managing databases.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Clearly list your technical skills relevant to the job description, such as Python programming, Ansible, and experience with CI/CD tools. Use bullet points for clarity and ensure you provide context for each skill by linking them to your previous work.
Prepare for Technical Questions: While this is about the written application, it's good to prepare for potential technical questions that may arise later. Brush up on your knowledge of database operations, AWS services, and infrastructure as code principles, as these may be discussed in interviews.
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Traffic
✨Showcase Your PostgreSQL Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with PostgreSQL in detail. Highlight specific projects where you've optimised performance, managed backups, or implemented disaster recovery strategies. This will demonstrate your deep understanding of the database and its intricacies.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role requires significant leadership experience, be ready to share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Discuss your approach to communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams, as this is crucial for success at Tripadvisor.
✨Familiarise Yourself with AWS Technologies
Given the emphasis on AWS DMS, RDS, and Aurora, make sure you understand these services well. Be prepared to discuss how you've used them in previous roles, particularly in relation to migrations and cloud-native solutions.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to infrastructure automation, configuration management, and monitoring systems. Brush up on tools like Python, Ansible, and CI/CD practices, as well as your problem-solving approach in a fast-paced environment.
