Burai

Lead Database Architect, PostgreSQL, SaaS B2B

Burai

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Hybrid

Location: Zagreb • 🇭🇷 Croatia

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Job Level

Senior

Tech Stack

AWSAzureCloudGoogle Cloud PlatformKafkaMicroservicesPostgresRabbitMQRedisSQL

About the role

  • Own PostgreSQL architecture: Define canonical models, naming standards, schema evolution policies, and migration practices (DDL/DML) across microservices and multi tenant contexts.
  • Design for performance: Build and tune complex relational schemas; optimize query plans (EXPLAIN/ANALYZE), indexes (btree, GIN/GiST, BRIN), partitioning strategies, and table storage parameters (fill factor, auto vacuum).
  • Targeted denormalization: Identify and implement denormalized structures (e.g., materialized views, aggregate tables, wide rows) for read heavy paths while preserving write correctness in source of truth tables.
  • Real time updates via triggers: Use PL/pgSQL triggers to maintain denormalized artefacts, propagate LISTEN/NOTIFY events, and invalidate/update cache entries (e.g., Redis) on writes, ensuring eventual consistency with predictable SLAs.
  • Caching strategy ownership: Define cache keys, TTLs, and invalidation patterns; instrument cache hit ratios; integrate with API gateways and service layers to meet p95/p99 latency targets.
  • API performance partner: Collaborate with backend leads to map DB access patterns to API contracts; propose read models (CQRS where useful) and precomputed projections for critical endpoints.
  • Data governance & safety: Establish guardrails for PII, tenancy isolation, and GDPR compliance; implement row level security (RLS), schema level privileges, and audit trails.
  • Resilience & HA: Design replication topologies (streaming/physical, logical), failover (Patroni, Aurora/RDS where applicable), backup/restore runbooks, point in time recovery (PITR), and disaster recovery drills.
  • Observability: Instrument pg_stat_statements, pgBouncer, connection pooling, and slow query dashboards; set SLOs for throughput, replication lag, and API latency; drive weekly performance reviews.
  • Data lifecycle: Plan archival/retention, hot/warm/cold storage tiers, and cost aware storage strategies; manage schema deprecation without breaking consumer contracts.
  • Mentorship & leadership: Coach engineers on SQL craft, migration hygiene, and data access patterns; review designs and code; raise the bar on data quality and operational excellence.
  • Cross functional alignment: Work closely with DevOps on infra choices (RDS/Aurora/Cloud SQL/Azure Database for PostgreSQL), capacity planning, and incident response; partner with Product on data driven outcomes.

Requirements

  • 5 + years engineering experience; 6+ years architecting PostgreSQL at scale for SaaS B2B products.
  • Deep mastery of SQL, PL/pgSQL, query planning, indexing, partitioning, and transaction semantics (MVCC, isolation levels).
  • Proven track record with denormalization (materialized views, summary tables), cache design (Redis/Memcached), and trigger based data maintenance & invalidation.
  • Experience operating PostgreSQL in cloud environments (AWS RDS/Aurora, GCP Cloud SQL, Azure Database for PostgreSQL), including replication, failover, and backup/restore.
  • Comfortable with event driven designs (LISTEN/NOTIFY, logical decoding/CDC—Debezium/Kafka/RabbitMQ) to propagate changes to downstream systems.
  • Strong security mindset: RLS, encryption, secret management, and compliance practices (GDPR/SOC2).
  • Excellent collaboration skills; ability to translate product requirements into pragmatic data designs and to mentor teams.
Benefits
  • Growth: Mentorship, learning budget, and time for experimentation and R&D.
  • Compensation: Competitive salary and equity.
  • Tools & Perks: Azure powered stack, top tier equipment (Apple or Microsoft), paid lunches, MultiSport card.
  • Culture: Fast‑moving, collaborative, and supportive - with a bias for action.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
PostgreSQLSQLPL/pgSQLquery planningindexingpartitioningdenormalizationcache designtrigger based data maintenancedata governance
Soft skills
mentorshipleadershipcollaborationcommunicationproblem solvingcoachingdesign reviewoperational excellencecross functional alignmentdata quality