Database Administration Senior Engineer

Modupay

New Cairo

Description

JOB PURPOSE

Manage the design, implementation, performance tuning, security hardening and high-availability management of enterprise-grade PostgreSQL database environments supporting mission-critical financial and payment processing systems. through complex database architectures, disaster recovery planning and compliance with industry regulatory standards including PCI-DSS and ISO 27001.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Database Administration & Operations

  • Install, configure, and maintain PostgreSQL database servers across development, staging, and production environments.
  • Monitor and manage database health, performance, availability, and capacity to ensure SLAs are consistently met.
  • Develop, implement and test backup and recovery strategies including Point-in-Time Recovery and continuous archiving.
  • Perform regular database maintenance tasks.
  • Manage database schemas, users, roles, and access permissions in alignment with least-privilege principles.

Performance Tuning & Optimization

  • Analyze and optimize slow queries using the diagnostic tools.
  • Design and maintain optimal indexing strategies to maximize query performance.
  • Tune PostgreSQL configuration parameters based on workload profiles.
  • Conduct capacity planning, workload forecasting, and database growth analysis.
  • Collaborate with application development teams on schema design, query optimization, and best practices.

High Availability & Disaster Recovery

  • Design and manage HA solutions using PostgreSQL Streaming Replication, logical replication, and auto failover.
  • Configure and maintain connection pooling for scalable application connectivity.
  • Participate in Active-Active and Active-Passive datacenter architecture design and implementation.
  • Execute and validate DR failover/failback procedures ensuring RTO and RPO targets are achieved.
  • Maintain and test disaster recovery runbooks and business continuity plans.

Security & Compliance

  • Implement and enforce database security controls in compliance with PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and applicable CBE regulations.
  • Manage database encryption, audit logging, and data masking for sensitive financial data.
  • Conduct periodic database security assessments, vulnerability scans, and remediation activities.
  • Ensure access control policies, privileged user monitoring, and audit trails are in place and operational.
  • Support internal and external audit activities by providing evidence and documentation as required.

Automation & DevOps Integration

  • Develop and maintain database automation scripts for operations.
  • Integrate PostgreSQL operations into CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code frameworks.
  • Implement database change management and version control practices.
  • Participate in Agile/DevOps ceremonies and contribute to infrastructure improvement initiatives.

Documentation & Knowledge Transfer

  • Maintain documentation for database architectures, configurations, runbooks and standard operating procedures.
  • Mentor and coach junior DBA team members, fostering knowledge transfer and skills development.
  • Prepare and present technical reports, capacity plans, and performance dashboards to management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Education Background

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related technical discipline.
  • Advanced degrees or equivalent professional certifications are a strong advantage.

Competencies

Analytical Thinking: Diagnose complex database issues and derive root causes quickly under pressure.

Proactive Ownership: Takes full responsibility for database availability and performance, with a continuous improvement mindset.

Communication: Communicates technical concepts clearly to technical & non-technical business stakeholders.

Security Awareness: Strong understanding of data security principles and a compliance-first approach to all database activities.

Team Collaboration: Works effectively across DBA, development, infrastructure, and security teams in a matrixed environment.

Mentorship: Demonstrates leadership by guiding junior DBAs and promoting best practices.

Language Skills

Fluent English (Written & Spoken)

Years of Experience

5+ years of overall database administration experience with minimum of 3 years specializing in PostgreSQL.

Internal Stakeholders

Java Architect / Software Engineering & Digital / QA / DevOps / Product Owners / InfoSec

External Stakeholders

Technical contacts / Payment schemes / Third-party vendors / Integration Partners