At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to design and manage high-performance database systems in AWS.
- Company: Global tech company focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance, flexible spending accounts, and life insurance options.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising database performance and reliability.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in database engineering with strong PostgreSQL and AWS skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Senior Database Engineer with deep expertise in PostgreSQL and AWS Aurora to join our global infrastructure team.
Responsibilities:
- Own the reliability, performance, and day-to-day operation of production database platforms, balancing project delivery with operational support.
- Design and evolve highly available database architectures in AWS to meet uptime, latency, scalability, and recoverability goals.
- Lead database lifecycle activities, including provisioning, upgrades, migrations, backup/restore processes, and disaster recovery readiness.
- Drive performance improvements by investigating production issues, identifying root causes, and implementing durable solutions in partnership with application and infrastructure teams.
- Establish and maintain operational excellence: monitoring, alerting, runbooks, documentation, and incident response practices.
- Define and enforce database security standards, access controls, and auditing aligned with internal policies and compliance requirements.
- Automate repeatable operational tasks and standardize infrastructure delivery using Infrastructure as Code and scripting.
- Perform capacity planning and cost optimization; provide recommendations based on observed workload trends and business growth.
- Participate in an on-call rotation and lead/participate in post-incident reviews to prevent recurrence.
- Collaborate with a globally distributed team, including regular attendance at meetings multiple times per week within the 16:00–19:00 GMT time range.
Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Supplemental Life Insurance
Qualifications:
- Proven experience implementing and operating connection pooling/connection management in production using PgBouncer and/or RDS Proxy.
- Proficiency in scripting/automation using Python and/or other languages to reduce manual work and improve operational consistency.
- Demonstrated observability experience using Prometheus and Grafana, including building actionable dashboards and reducing alert noise.
- Strong AWS database experience with Aurora PostgreSQL/RDS, including high availability design, backups/snapshots, point-in-time recovery, and IAM-based access patterns.
- Established senior-level experience (8+ years) in production database engineering/administration, with deep hands-on expertise in PostgreSQL.
- Experience operating at least one non-relational data store in production (e.g., Redis and/or DynamoDB) as part of a broader platform.
- Experience designing and testing backup/restore and disaster recovery processes, with a practical understanding of RPO/RTO and restore validation.
- Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously: independently identify priorities, drive complex work to completion, and act as an escalation point for database-related incidents with minimal oversight.
- Strong Linux fundamentals relevant to database operations (system performance, storage, troubleshooting).
- Strong PostgreSQL expertise, including performance tuning and troubleshooting using execution plans, indexing strategy, concurrency/locking concepts, and database statistics.
- Comfort collaborating asynchronously across time zones and working in a fast-changing environment with frequent production changes.
- Strong written communication skills, including the ability to produce clear runbooks, change plans, and incident summaries for a global audience.
- Hands-on Infrastructure as Code experience for database platforms, specifically Terraform (modules, state management, safe change control).
We encourage you to apply if you meet the majority of the requirements because we know that skills evolve over time.
Senior Database Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Turnitin
Join our dynamic global infrastructure team as a Senior Database Engineer, where you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and performance of our production database platforms. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values innovation and continuous learning, offering comprehensive benefits including health and dental insurance, alongside opportunities for professional growth in a fast-paced environment. With a focus on operational excellence and cutting-edge technology, this position not only allows you to make a significant impact but also provides the flexibility to collaborate with a diverse team across multiple time zones.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Database Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tap into Local Tech Meetups
Get yourself to local tech meetups or database management conferences. It's a really great way to meet industry professionals and potentially uncover unadvertised full-time roles. When chatting with people, mention your skills and interests in database management; you never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects can not only sharpen your database skills but also get you noticed by employers. Many companies look for candidates who actively contribute to projects – it shows initiative and a real passion for the field. Plus, it's a perfect excuse to connect with other developers and expand your professional network.
✨Utilise Professional Bodies
Sign up for professional bodies related to database management, like the British Computer Society. They often host events and networking opportunities that can lead directly to job openings in the full-time market. Plus, it adds a nice touch to your professional profile!
✨Showcase Your Skills in a Public Portfolio
As you’re on the hunt for that full-time role, make sure to have a public portfolio that displays your best database projects. This can easily set you apart from the competition. And when you apply for roles, definitely mention it – it shows employers you mean business and are proud of your work!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Database Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your database skills:When applying for a full-time role in database management, it’s super important to highlight your skills with specific database technologies like SQL, NoSQL, or any relevant data visualisation tools. We want to see how you've used these tools in real projects, so don't shy away from detailing your hands-on experience!
Tailor your CV for data:Make sure your CV is structured clearly, focusing on your previous experience in database management. Use specific metrics to demonstrate your impact, like how you improved data retrieval times or reduced errors. This isn't just about what you've done; it’s about what you’ve achieved with your skills!
Craft a compelling cover letter:In your cover letter, share what excites you about database management and how you can contribute to Turnitin. Mention any relevant projects where you tackled challenges or implemented new solutions. Let us know why you want to join our team and how your passion aligns with our goals.
Document your projects:If you've worked on interesting database projects—maybe during your studies or in previous roles—be sure to include those in your application. If you can, link to a portfolio or GitHub repo where we can see examples of your work. Having a tangible showcase of your skills will really make your application stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Turnitin
✨Brush Up on Database Tools
Make sure you're well-versed with popular database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. Incorporating real-world examples of how you've used these tools in past projects will show that you can put theory into practice, which is something Turnitin will definitely appreciate.
✨Know Your SQL Inside Out
Get ready for some technical questions focused on SQL queries and database design. We should anticipate coding challenges where you might need to optimise queries or design a database schema on the spot. Practising these problems will build our confidence to impress in the interview.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Besides just technical know-how, be prepared to answer scenario-based questions that test your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Think about how you would approach data integrity issues or handle performance bottlenecks — Turnitin will want to see your analytical side!
✨Show Your Collaboration Spirit
Since this is a full-time role, it's crucial to highlight how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams or contributed to team projects in the past. Emphasising our interpersonal skills will demonstrate that you’re not just a tech wizard, but also a team player who fits well with Turnitin's culture.
