Senior SRE, Database

As a Senior Site Reliability Engineer, Database at Assured, you'll be tasked with optimizing and scaling our database infrastructure, particularly focusing on PostgreSQL and Amazon Aurora. Your responsibilities will include implementing database monitoring, performance tuning, and strategies for database optimization to enhance system reliability. Additionally, you will develop automated tools for effective database management and may transition into broader SRE duties as your skills align with team needs.

To qualify for the Senior Site Reliability Engineer, Database role at Assured, applicants should have a minimum of 8 years of experience in SRE, DevOps, or Database Administration. Strong expertise in scaling PostgreSQL and Amazon Aurora in production environments is crucial. Proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript and Node.js development, along with a solid engineering background, is also expected. Familiarity with Terraform, CI/CD pipelines, and database optimization is a plus.

In the Senior Site Reliability Engineer, Database role at Assured, you'll work extensively with PostgreSQL and Amazon Aurora as primary database platforms. You will also utilize various monitoring tools for performance tuning, automation frameworks like Terraform, and may engage with CI/CD pipelines for deployment. Additionally, experience with ORM frameworks like Prisma and containerization technologies will be beneficial in this role.

At Assured, we foster a dynamic, collaborative culture that prioritizes innovation and teamwork. As a Senior Site Reliability Engineer, Database, you will work alongside passionate professionals dedicated to transforming the insurance industry. The environment encourages knowledge sharing and supports career growth, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to make impactful contributions while enjoying work-life balance with benefits like uncapped vacation days.

The Senior Site Reliability Engineer, Database plays a crucial role in Assured's mission to modernize insurance by optimizing database performance and reliability. By ensuring our database infrastructure is high-performing and scalable, you facilitate efficient claim processing and support our software solutions. Your contributions directly impact how insurers serve their clients, making a significant difference in the industry.

In your interview, focus on specific projects where you've implemented and scaled PostgreSQL or Amazon Aurora. Highlight the size of the databases you've managed, challenges you faced regarding performance, and solutions you implemented to optimize them. Providing concrete examples will illustrate your depth of experience.

When answering this question, detail the tools and methodologies you utilize for monitoring database systems. Discuss your approach to identifying bottlenecks and the strategies you employ for performance tuning. Mention any specific metrics or key performance indicators you track to ensure optimal performance.

In your response, emphasize the importance of security in database management. Discuss best practices such as role-based access control, encryption of data at rest and in transit, and regular audits for vulnerabilities. Mention specific security tools you've integrated and policies you've enforced to safeguard data.

To effectively answer this question, share a specific scenario where you encountered a complex database issue. Describe the problem, the analysis you conducted, the solutions you considered, and how you eventually resolved the issue. Highlight the impact your solution had on the overall system performance.

When discussing automation, explain the tools and scripts you use to streamline database management processes. Detail your experience with frameworks like Terraform for provisioning or performance monitoring tools that help in continuous integration and deployment. Share examples of tasks you've automated and the benefits that resulted from them.

Discuss various strategies you have implemented for database optimization, such as indexing strategies, query optimization, partitioning, and caching techniques. Provide examples from your previous roles where these strategies led to measurable improvements in performance.

This answer should include your experience with replication strategies, backup solutions, and failover mechanisms. Discuss specific tools or methodologies you’ve used to design a high-availability architecture and your approach to testing disaster recovery scenarios to ensure they’re effective at all times.

Focus on your experience working cross-functionally with developers, outlining how you communicate database best practices. Emphasize your teamwork, how you gathered feedback, and the principles you’ve introduced to foster a database-focused culture among development teams to ensure streamlined app performance.

Share a detailed account of your involvement in migrating to a new database technology, including the planning stages, the execution of the migration, and how you handled training and support for the team. Discuss challenges you encountered and how you overcame them to ensure a smooth transition.

In your response, mention specific resources you utilize to stay informed, such as industry blogs, forums, and conferences. Discuss how you engage with the tech community, participate in online courses, or contribute to open-source projects to continuously sharpen your database skills.