Senior Database Engineer
Kurtosys
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Claremont • South Africa
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Job Level
About the role
- Design and build logical and physical databases as well as shape data architecture.
- Lead performance tuning efforts, including query and index optimization.
- Guide engineers on efficient schema design and database access.
- Support platform migrations, clean up legacy schemas, and reduce technical debt.
- Improve monitoring and alerting for database health.
- Find opportunities to automate database maintenance and provisioning.
- Focus on data security and compliance to ensure platforms remain resilient and audit-ready.
- Collaborate with engineering, InfoSec, and operations teams.
Requirements
- 6+ years of experience operating and supporting highly transactional, mission-critical database environments.
- Strong expertise in MySQL-based databases (ideally RDS), with proven experience in performance tuning, query optimisation, and execution plan analysis.
- A database-agnostic mindset with the willingness to work across multiple technologies, including relational (PostgreSQL, MSSQL, SingleStore) and NoSQL/cloud-native platforms (DynamoDB, Snowflake basics).
- Hands-on experience with AWS services such as RDS, Aurora, EC2, S3, and related cloud-native tooling.
- Solid scripting skills (Python, Bash, or PowerShell) for automation, tooling, and database operations.
- Familiarity with containerisation and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes) and an understanding of CI/CD practices for database deployments.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across teams, explain technical concepts clearly, and support shared goals.
- A disciplined approach to change management, documentation, and compliance, with awareness of data security standards.
- Analytical and problem-solving abilities, combining logical thinking with attention to detail to deliver robust solutions.
- Curiosity and adaptability — an eagerness to explore new approaches such as AI-driven database monitoring, anomaly detection, and automation to modernise operations.
Benefits
- Hybrid Working
- Relaxed Dress Code
- Open Culture
- Flexible Work Hours
- Group Risk Cover
- Employee Wellbeing Program
- 20 Days Paid Leave
- Ongoing Staff Appreciation Events
- Access To Learning Platforms
- Working With Experts Across The Globe
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
MySQLPostgreSQLMSSQLSingleStoreDynamoDBSnowflakeperformance tuningquery optimizationscriptingautomation
Soft skills
communicationcollaborationanalytical thinkingproblem-solvingattention to detailcuriosityadaptabilitychange managementdocumentationtechnical explanation