Lead Database Engineer

Position Summary

The Lead Database Engineer will be responsible for directly managing highly available PostgreSQL clusters. This role will be expected to be well-informed and highly experienced with cloud-native databases in terms of architecture, development, and support.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Monitor system performance and identify problems that arise.
  • Respond in a timely manner to user-reported errors.
  • Protect the database against threats or unauthorized access.
  • Ensure that the database is adequately backed up and able to be recovered in the event of memory loss.
  • Report on metrics regarding usage and performance.
  • Suggest changes and improvements for database maintenance or protection.
  • Liaise regularly with IT project managers and database programmers.
  • Monitor databases and related systems to ensure optimized performance.
  • Perform debugging procedures on database scripts and programs, as well as resolve conflicts.
  • Adhere to best practices in securely storing, backing up, and archiving data.
  • Document processes related to database design, configuration, and performance.
  • Keep abreast of developments and best practices in database engineering.

Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is preferred but not essential.
  • At least seven years of Postgres experience and proficiency in functionality and features.
  • Experience working with AWS Aurora PostgreSQL  
  • In-depth knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL).
  • Extensive experience with database technologies and architecture.
  • Sound knowledge of best practices in database engineering and data security.
  • Experience working collaboratively with application development teams to implement solutions.
  • Experience working in a high-volume and low latency transactional environment with very large database objects. 

Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) Behaviors

Our company runs on the EOS. That means as a member of this team, you will have a leader who:

  • Gives clear directions.
  • Makes sure you have the necessary tools.
  • Acts with the greater good in mind.
  • Delegates appropriately.
  • Takes time to truly understand your role and how you can help the company.
  • Makes their expectations clear.
  • Communicates well.
  • Has effective meetings.
  • Meets one-on-one with you quarterly or more, if needed.
  • Rewards and recognizes your performance.

EOS Measurement of Success

  • Manages Highly Available PostgreSQL Clusters to Plan
  • Spearheads Cloud-Native Databases (Architecture, Development, and Support) to Plan 
  • Monitors System Performance and Proactive Problem Identification to Plan
  • Performs Debugging Procedures on Database Scripts to Plan

Reporting Relationship & Accountability

Position reports to the Chief Financial and Information Officer.

Cultural Competencies

  • Demonstrates K16’s mission to revolutionize EdTech by changing how higher-ed leaders access, move, and analyze their content and data. 
  • Demonstrates K16’s cultural values of No egos/No assholes, No drama, and Getting sh$t done
  • Excels in the K16 remote work model
  • Drives to the delivery of high-quality work, no matter the time or effort required
  • Assumes the best about colleagues and clients
  • Demonstrates kindness, empathy, and humor
  • Exemplifies positivity, as demonstrated by a “can do” attitude and actions
  • Supports the team and colleagues
  • Does what it takes to get the work done, inside or outside the job description

Professional Competencies

  • Passion for education technology
  • Innovative and flexible thinker, comfortable suggesting solutions, and willing to take risks
  • Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
  • Committed to quality in every assignment, large or small
  • Innovative and flexible thinker, comfortable finding solutions, and willing to take risks
  • Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
  • Committed to quality in every assignment, large or small
  • Excited about remote teamwork 
  • Committed to flex hours to get the job done
  • Ability and desire to continually learn about new technologies and adapt to ever-changing business and industry needs

Eligibility Requirements

  • Unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States

Office Location & Travel

  • Remote work from a home office 
  • Some travel to company-related events required

K16 Solutions Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Application Developer

In a fast-paced start-up environment, the Applications Developer evaluates, analyzes, and modifies moderately complex application programs utilizing serverless architecture. Using a legacy code base, tests, debugs, documents, and maintains applications. Works on most phases of application programming activities. Analyzes and resolves problems associated with applications. Detects, diagnoses, and reports related problems. 


Primary Responsibilities

  • Develop RESTful APIs and microservices leveraging AWS technologies, including Lambda, API Gateway, Cognito, Amazon Aurora (Postgres), and other related technologies
  • Responsible for the development and support of cloud-based applications
  • Develop solutions that meet business objectives while leveraging industry best practices
  • Maintain and/or extend existing solutions, refactoring solutions to improve performance and security
  • Actively engage in Sprints and other facets of project planning and management (SCRUM)
  • Collaborate with other internal teams and stakeholders to support business requirements
  • Write high-quality source code to program complete applications within deadlines
  • Troubleshoot and debug applications
  • Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the K16 Solutions portfolio of applications and associated documentation
  • Pursue continuous improvement opportunities associated with existing software development programs

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent work experience
  • Minimum of two to four years of experience in a developer/programmer role working within a technology team 

Technical Competencies

  • Experience with legacy (brown) code
  • Experience with AWS, Node.js, Postgres, and other JavaScript frameworks
  • Web scraping with Selenium Webdriver, Cheerio, or Puppeteer
  • Familiarity using Git, code repositories, branching and merging strategies
  • Familiarity and understanding of continuous integrations
  • Ability to break down complex concepts, tasks, or problems into more simple, understandable language and action plans
  • Excellent organization skills, communication skills and attention to detail, and the ability to clearly and concisely articulate complex concepts for a variety of audiences

Professional Competencies

  • Have worked and thrived in a startup environment OR have not worked in a scoped environment. 
  • Passion for software development and education technology
  • Innovative and flexible thinker, comfortable suggesting solutions, and willing to take risks
  • Enjoys working independently in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
  • Committed to quality in every assignment, large or small
  • Excited about remote teamwork