Key skills
Microsoft SQL ServerPostgreSQLAWS EC2AWS RDSSQL query writingSQL query performance tuningSQL index designSQL locking and isolationPython scriptingPowerShell scriptingLinuxWindowsHigh availability replication topologiesAlways OnLog shippingTransactional replicationAWS Database Migration Service (DMS)Aurora PostgreSQLAWS cost optimizationDatadogDynatracePythonSQLPowerShellAIAWSEC2RDSSQL ServerSaaSCommunication
About this role
CalAmp is a company focused on K-12 transportation solutions, tracking buses for over a million students daily. They are looking for a hands-on Database Engineer to manage and optimize their SQL Server instances, lead architectural improvements, and implement automation practices.
Responsibilities:
- Diagnose and fix slow queries, plan regressions, and locking storms across 9 SQL Server instances supporting customer-facing operations
- Lead the design of reporting replica architecture likely using AWS DMS feeding a multi-tenant Aurora PostgreSQL store
- Define the policy for a sound data retention strategy across 600+ customer DBs and own the automation
- Identify measurable savings on SQL Server EE licensing on EC2 through various strategies
- Manage schema-change processes across all customer DBs aiming for automation, reliability, and low-risk
- Act as the database subject-matter expert reviewing every schema change from developers and providing actionable design insights
- Participate in an on-call rotation with light industry standards, expected to push for reduced paging events
Requirements:
- 4–8 years of hands-on DBA / Database Engineering experience, meaningful share on SQL Server
- Database SME mindset — you've reviewed engineering schema changes, contributed design insight in code/architecture reviews, and partnered with developers (not gatekept them). This is a core part of the role, not a side responsibility
- PostgreSQL proficiency — or willingness to develop it (aligned to future reporting architecture)
- Cloud database experience on AWS — self-hosted SQL Server on EC2 today; RDS familiarity is a plus given a possible future migration
- Performance tuning track record — you can talk through specific queries you fixed and how
- Strong SQL: query writing, plan reading, index design, locking and isolation
- Comfort scripting in Python or PowerShell for automation
- Linux and Windows both
- HA / replication topologies (Always On, log shipping, transactional)
- Strong written communication — this is an opinionated engineering team; you'll write proposals and defend them
- Bachelor's in CS, Information Systems, or equivalent practical track
- Multi-tenant SaaS data architectures (per-customer databases or shared schemas)
- AWS DMS or other CDC replication experience
- Aurora PostgreSQL
- AWS cost optimization (Reserved Instances, Savings Plans, sizing)
- Datadog, Dynatrace, or similar APM
- Experience using AI-assisted development tools (helpful but not required)
- Background in operationally-critical SaaS (transportation, healthcare, finance)