Sr. Database Administrator I (6885)

As a Sr. PostgreSQL Database Engineer I, you’ll work as part of a collaborative and high-performing team providing your expertise to deliver technical solutions within the highest levels of the federal government by providing PostgreSQL expertise supporting highly visible, mission-critical applications; taking deep technical ownership of database platforms; executing disciplined operational practices; and maintaining database stability, performance, and security under constant operational demand.

What you’ll do:

• Design, administer, and optimize databases in on-premises and cloud environments.
• Perform database performance tuning, backups, replication, and recovery.
• Enforce access controls, auditing, governance, and retention policies.

Manage schemas, indexes, stored procedures, and permissions.

• Manage Kubernetes clusters and support containerized database and application operations.
• Administer CI/CD pipelines and automation supporting database and application delivery.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies and collaborative delivery activities.
• Support production operations with urgency and operational discipline.
• Communicate technical risks, issues, and recommendations clearly to stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong customer trust through technical expertise, responsiveness, and reliability.

What you’ll need to succeed:

• Active Top Secret clearance with current or previously held SCI access.
• 8+ years of hands-on database administration or engineering with PostgreSQL as the primary database platform.
• 2+ years using GitLab CI/CD or GitHub Actions to automate database deployments, schema changes, validation, or maintenance tasks.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field preferred; relevant experience may substitute.
• Certification meeting applicable DoD 8140 requirements, such as Security+, GSEC, or higher.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, manage, troubleshoot, and tune PostgreSQL databases in enterprise production environments.
• Extensive hands-on Ubuntu/Linux administration experience, including system configuration, patching, security hardening, troubleshooting, and performance tuning to support PostgreSQL production workloads.
• Experience designing, implementing, and managing distributed PostgreSQL environments and high-availability architectures, including replication, clustering, failover, and troubleshooting across database nodes.
• Hands-on ownership of PostgreSQL high availability, backup, recovery, and disaster recovery configurations.
• Ability to enforce database security controls, including encryption, key management, access controls, and compliance-aligned auditing.
• Ability to independently own core PostgreSQL responsibilities on day one and quickly learn program-specific tooling in a fast-paced, mission-critical environment.

This position is designated as essential personnel supporting continuity of operations and may require work during government shutdowns, emergencies, or other critical situations.

SALARY RANGE: $138,000 - $175,000

The salary range for this position is determined based on qualifications, skills, and relevant experience. The final salary offered will be determined based on several factors including:

• The candidate's professional background and relevant work experience
• The specific responsibilities of the role and organizational needs
• Internal equity and alignment with current team compensation
• This role is also eligible for additional compensation, subject to the terms and policies of MetroStar, which may include:
• Performance-based bonuses
• Company-paid training and/or certifications
• Referral bonuses

Additional Compensation: This role may also be eligible for bonuses and/or additional incentives based on individual and company performance.

Benefits: All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our benefits programs:

Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit and without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

What we want you to know:

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.