Principal Database Engineer
PeopleGrove
Full-time
Remote
We are seeking a Principal Database Engineer to lead the design, optimization, and reliability of our database systems. This role blends architectural strategy with hands-on performance engineering: you will design scalable database solutions, enforce best practices, and proactively ensure our production systems remain fast, resilient, and secure.
You will be the organization’s database thought leader — setting the blueprint for data architecture, while also digging deep into query plans, slow queries, and indexing strategies to keep our applications running at peak performance.
Key Responsibilities
Database Architecture & Design
- Architect scalable and efficient database solutions aligned with application and business needs.
- Design schemas, data models, indexing, and partitioning strategies to support growth and performance.
- Evaluate and recommend database technologies and patterns for long-term scalability.
Performance & Optimization
- Monitor production databases for slow queries, inefficiencies, and emerging bottlenecks.
- Conduct root cause analysis and implement tuning solutions (queries, indexes, configuration).
- Define repeatable processes for performance reviews and query optimization across teams.
Collaboration & Guidance
- Partner with engineers and architects to review database usage in applications.
- Provide technical guidance on data access patterns, query design, and schema evolution.
- Mentor engineering teams in database best practices and performance optimization.
Reliability, Security & Maintenance
- Implement monitoring, alerting, and health-check frameworks to ensure database reliability.
- Oversee backup strategies, replication, and disaster recovery planning.
- Maintain strong database security and access control policies.
Core Technologies
- Relational: PostgreSQL, MySQL
- Search & Analytics: Elasticsearch, BigQuery, Snowflake
- NoSQL / Cloud-native: Firestore, MongoDB
Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in database engineering or administration, with at least 5 years in a performance-focused role.
- Deep expertise in PostgreSQL and MySQL, including indexing, query optimization, and performance tuning.
- Proven experience with monitoring and profiling tools for database performance.
- Strong understanding of database security, backup strategies, and disaster recovery.
- Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and communication skills.
Preferred Qualification
- Experience with cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, Azure).
- Exposure to data warehousing and large-scale analytics platforms.
- Familiarity with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines.
- Experience in SaaS environments with high uptime and performance requirements.
Benefits
- Remote Option - You can work from any location of your choice
- Reimbursement of Home Office Setup
- Competitive Salary
- Friendly atmosphere
- Flexible paid vacation policy
At PeopleGrove, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. PeopleGrove is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at careers@peoplegrove.com