Senior Database Administrator

Who are we?

We are The Motley Fool, a purpose-driven financial information and services firm with nearly 30 years of experience focused on making the world smarter, happier, and richer. But what does that even mean?! It means we’re helping Fools (always with a capital “F”) demystify the world of finance, beat the stock market, and achieve personal wealth and happiness through our products and services.

The Motley Fool is firmly committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. We are a motley group of overachievers that have built a culture of trust founded on Foolishness, fun, and a commitment to making the world smarter, happier and richer.  However you identify or whatever winding road has led you to us, please don't hesitate to apply if the description here leaves you thinking, "Hey! I could do that!"

What does this team do? 

This person will be working with our Cloud Implementation team, a tech-focused, AWS certified team working within the core of our business to ensure we are functioning on all cylinders in our AWS-Native environment. 

What will you do in this role? 

Are you the type of person who thrives on tackling complex database challenges and has a proven track record of rapid learning?  We're looking for a mid to senior level Database Administrator who not only excels at designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable database systems in AWS but also possesses a relentless drive to overcome obstacles and think creatively under pressure. As a core member of The Motley Fool's Cloud Engineering team, you'll play a critical role in building and managing our database infrastructure, constantly finding ways to improve it, even in the face of unexpected challenges. We need someone who’s resourceful, adaptable, and ready to roll up their sleeves when the going gets tough.

You'll oversee the creation and optimization of database schemas, maintain diverse database environments, and help shape the best solutions for recurring data challenges—all while being the person others look to when things don’t go as planned. This role is hands-on and technical, demanding not just a deep understanding of database platforms but also a "never give up" attitude. You'll be asked to use your expertise and your ability to stay calm under pressure to navigate performance tuning, backup and recovery strategies, and data security in real-time.

Okay, but what will you actually do in this role? 

• 40% of your time will be spent modernizing and enhancing every aspect of our database infrastructure. Whether you're working with high-availability clusters or data warehousing solutions, you'll continuously seek out ways to solve problems in scalable and sustainable ways. Expect unexpected challenges—our fast-paced environment means new and unique problems are constant, and we want someone who thrives in that atmosphere.
• 30% will involve collaborating with our development teams to troubleshoot tricky issues and boost performance for applications that rely on various database systems (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, SnowFlake). We value the ability to stay composed under pressure and solve problems swiftly, even when the root cause is elusive.
• 20% of your focus will be on implementing and maintaining robust backup, recovery, and disaster recovery processes to ensure data integrity and availability. This isn't just about routine—when things go wrong, we need someone who can think on their feet and figure out solutions.
• 10% of your time will be spent on optimizing database performance and reducing infrastructure costs, with an emphasis on solving problems creatively, resourcefully, and efficiently.

What do you need to apply?

• 8+ years of experience in database administration within a product-focused company, where you've faced and solved unforeseen challenges in scaling databases as products grow.
• Startup Experience: If you've been part of a fast-moving technology startup, you know what it's like to push through adversity, adapt on the fly, and find solutions when things are ambiguous and fast-changing.
• Database Expertise: Hands-on experience with PostgreSQL and MS SQL, and the ability to dig in and figure out the trickiest of database challenges.
• Data Modeling: Skilled in designing efficient database schemas and data models that support dynamic application needs, often working with incomplete or evolving requirements.
• Performance Tuning: Experienced in optimizing database performance under pressure—whether it's through query execution plans, indexing strategies, or inventive workarounds to resource limitations.
• Automation & Monitoring: Proficient in automating database maintenance tasks and using monitoring tools such as SolarWinds and AWS Performance Insights to ensure optimal database health, with a keen sense of when to dig deeper when metrics don't look quite right.
• Backup & Recovery: Advanced skills in implementing and managing backup and recovery solutions, including point-in-time recovery and cross-region replication. When disaster strikes, you’re the one who’s already thought of a plan and is ready to execute it.
• IaC Skills: Advanced skills in Terraform (IaC) for setting up reproducible and scalable infrastructure in AWS, with the mindset that if something breaks, you’ll figure it out and make it better.

This is a dynamic environment where rapid communication, inventive problem-solving, and a high degree of personal resilience are both essential and encouraged. We’re looking for someone who thrives when challenges are thrown their way and who isn't afraid to take ownership of complex problems—even when the path forward isn't immediately clear. We strive for excellence while also valuing a strong work-life balance, ensuring that we work hard, adapt quickly, and support each other every step of the way.

Please note, no sponsorship is available for this position. You must reside in, or be willing to relocate to, one of these states for employment: California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington DC, and Wisconsin.

Below you’ll see a few of our perks, but check out out Careers Site for the complete list: 

• Flexible, remote work environment (*see our open states above)
• No “vacation policy” (not to be confused with a “No vacation” policy)
• Generous fully-paid parental leave
• $1,000 annually to invest in stocks of your choice
• Super low premiums for medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Comprehensive compensation package, including company equity

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