Job Description:

Database Administrator (DBA)

Reading | Hybrid | Permanent

Help shape the data platform behind a mission-critical technology solution.

We're looking for an experienced Database Administrator to take ownership of a complex, high-availability database environment that supports a sophisticated operational software platform. This is an opportunity to join an innovative engineering team where reliability, performance and automation are central to delivering cutting-edge technology.

Working closely with software engineers, platform specialists and data teams, you'll ensure the database layer remains secure, resilient and highly optimised while supporting the continued evolution of a growing product.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the design, administration and ongoing optimisation of production MariaDB/MySQL databases.
• Develop and manage robust database schema migrations with safe deployment, validation and rollback processes.
• Monitor, analyse and optimise database performance in high-volume, write-intensive environments.
• Design and maintain backup, recovery and data retention strategies, regularly validating restore processes.
• Implement and maintain database security, permissions and audit controls.
• Create automation, monitoring and health-check tooling to improve operational efficiency and scalability.
• Collaborate with software developers to optimise queries, indexing strategies and data models.
• Support the wider engineering function by contributing to CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment processes.
• Provide guidance on database architecture and best practice across development teams.

Key Skills & Experience

• Strong commercial experience administering production MariaDB or MySQL databases.
• Excellent understanding of database performance tuning, indexing and query optimisation.
• Experience designing and executing schema migration strategies.
• Knowledge of backup, recovery and disaster recovery best practices.
• Automation experience using SQL alongside Python or Bash scripting.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across engineering and technical teams.

Desirable Experience

• PostgreSQL administration.
• Containerised environments using Docker.
• Event-driven architectures or messaging technologies such as RabbitMQ.
• Experience supporting distributed or multi-site database deployments.
• Background working within regulated, security-conscious or mission-critical environments.

What's on Offer

• Hybrid working with regular collaboration from the Reading office.
• The opportunity to work on technically challenging, large-scale software products.
• A collaborative engineering culture focused on quality, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Long-term career development within a growing technology business.

Applicants must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance.