Job Summary
Administer, develop, test, or demonstrate databases. Perform many related database functions across one or more teams or clients, including designing, implementing and maintaining new databases, backup/recovery and configuration management. Install database management systems (DBMS) and provide input for modification of procedures and documentation used for problem resolution and day-to-day maintenance.
Technical Skills Required
A DBA should possess deep technical knowledge of database internals, optimization techniques, and high availability setups. Key required skills include:
MySQL Skills
- Proficiency in SQL and database normalization techniques.
- Knowledge of MySQL architecture, storage engines (InnoDB, MyISAM).
- Replication (Master-Slave, Group Replication, Galera Cluster).
- Backup and recovery tools (mysqldump, Percona XtraBackup).
- Query optimization and indexing strategies.
- Performance tuning and troubleshooting (EXPLAIN, Optimizer).
- Experience with HAProxy and ProxySQL for load balancing.
- Scripting with Bash, Python, or Ansible.
MongoDB Skills
- Strong understanding of NoSQL concepts and MongoDB architecture.
- Experience with replica sets, sharding, and aggregation framework.
- Query optimization and indexing (B-tree, Compound, TTL).
- Data modeling for document databases.
- Backup strategies with mongodump, mongorestore, and Ops Manager.
- Security implementation (RBAC, LDAP, TLS/SSL encryption).
- Monitoring with Cloud Manager or Prometheus/Grafana.
- Automation using Python or Shell scripting.
PostgreSQL Skills
- Deep knowledge of PostgreSQL architecture and advanced SQL features.
- Experience with performance tuning (vacuuming, indexing strategies).
- Replication techniques (Streaming Replication, Logical Replication).
- Knowledge of partitioning and sharding strategies.
- Experience with backup and recovery using pg_dump, pg_basebackup.
- Security implementation (SSL, pg_hba.conf, role management).
- PostgreSQL extensions such as PostGIS, pg_partman, and pg_stat_statements.
- Scripting and automation using PL/pgSQL, Python, or Bash.
Key Responsibilities
- Database Design and Architecture
- Designing and implementing database structures that align with business needs.
- Evaluating and selecting appropriate database technologies (SQL/NoSQL).
- Planning for scalability and high availability solutions.
- Performance Tuning and Optimization
- Monitoring database performance and proactively addressing bottlenecks.
- Implementing indexing strategies and query optimization techniques.
- Managing workload distribution and resource allocation for optimal performance.
- Backup and Recovery Management
- Establishing backup strategies to prevent data loss.
- Performing regular backup testing and disaster recovery drills.
- Ensuring RPO (Recovery Point Objective) and RTO (Recovery Time Objective) compliance.
- Security and Compliance
- Implementing security policies to protect sensitive data.
- Managing database access controls and user privileges.
- Ensuring compliance with industry standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
- Database Installation, Upgrades, and Patching
- Installing and configuring database software (MySQL, MongoDb, PostgreSQL etc.).
- Planning and executing database version upgrades and security patches.
- Minimizing downtime during critical updates.
- High Availability and Disaster Recovery
- Implementing HA/DR solutions such as clustering, replication, and failover mechanisms.
- Monitoring database health and ensuring redundancy in case of failure.
- Defining disaster recovery plans and periodic testing.
- Automation and Scripting
- Developing automation scripts for routine tasks using SQL, Shell, or Python.
- Implementing infrastructure-as-code (IaC) solutions where applicable.
- Automating database deployments and change management processes.
- Capacity Planning and Resource Management
- Assessing current and future database storage and performance needs.
- Working with infrastructure teams to optimize hardware and cloud resources.
- Forecasting growth and preparing scalability plans.
- Monitoring and Troubleshooting
- Utilizing monitoring tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, Nagios) to track database health.
- Troubleshooting database issues and providing root cause analysis.
- Implementing proactive alerting systems for potential failures.
- Collaboration and Stakeholder Communication
- Working closely with developers, system administrators, and business teams.
- Providing technical support and guidance for database-related projects.
- Documenting database processes, policies, and best practices.
- Cloud Database Management (if applicable)
- Managing cloud-based databases (AWS RDS, Azure SQL, GCP Cloud SQL).
- Optimizing cloud cost and performance.
- Implementing hybrid cloud solutions when required.
- Auditing and Reporting
- Conducting regular audits to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities.
- Generating reports on database usage, health, and performance.
- Assisting in business intelligence and analytics requirements.