Database Engineer

Aquent is partnering with an innovative company at the forefront of developing advanced technology and creating solutions that are transforming its industry. This organization is focused on building scalable, reliable systems that support complex applications and data-driven operations.

We are seeking an experienced Database Engineer to design, build, and operate scalable, secure data stores that support critical applications and analytics. In this role, you will partner closely with application and data teams to shape database schemas, improve performance, automate operations, and strengthen reliability across development and production environments.

This position is onsite in Foster City, CA five days per week . Candidates must also be open to occasional flexibility outside typical business hours as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop efficient, scalable database solutions aligned with business requirements.
• Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade database software and related tooling.
• Monitor database performance and optimize queries, indexes, and schemas for reliability and speed.
• Implement and maintain database security controls to protect sensitive data.
• Partner with application developers to optimize database schemas and SQL.
• Troubleshoot database incidents and provide timely resolution across environments.
• Develop and maintain documentation for database architecture, configurations, procedures, and runbooks.
• Perform capacity planning and recommend database and infrastructure improvements.
• Manage and support AWS database infrastructure, including RDS, Aurora, and Redshift.
• Apply database engineering best practices to improve reliability, scalability, performance, and cost efficiency.
• Stay current on emerging database technologies, patterns, and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Database Engineer, Database Administrator (DBA), or similar database infrastructure professional.
• Strong understanding of AWS and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) for database resources.
• Deep knowledge of database management systems such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, and/or Redshift.
• Strong SQL skills, including query optimization and performance tuning.
• Hands-on experience with database monitoring and performance optimization.
• Strong understanding of data modeling, normalization, indexing, and schema design principles.
• Experience with database backup, restore, and disaster recovery procedures.
• Knowledge of database security best practices and access controls.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to work onsite in Foster City, CA five days per week and accommodate occasional scheduling flexibility.

Bonus Qualifications

• AWS networking fundamentals.
• Experience with Terraform Cloud and Infrastructure-as-Code workflows.
• Automation or scripting experience using Python or Shell.
• Experience with database CI/CD tools and processes such as Bamboo, Flyway, or similar technologies.