Database Engineer / Administrator (Canberra)

Employment Type: Permanent Security: Australian Citizen – NV2 clearance (or eligible) About the Organisation Our client is a mission‑driven technology organisation delivering secure, high‑performance data platforms into some of the most demanding environments in Australia. The business operates across sectors including defence, national security, government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, building systems where security, resilience, and reliability are non‑negotiable. The Australian operation is in a solid growth phase, combining local delivery with proven international capability. This role offers the opportunity to work on long‑lived, mission‑critical systems, rather than short‑term or commodity technology projects. About the Role We are seeking an experienced Database Engineer / Database Administrator to take ownership of database operations supporting secure, defence‑aligned platforms. Reporting directly to senior technology leadership, this role is responsible for the stability, performance, and security of PostgreSQL and MongoDB databases operating in high‑assurance environments. You will work closely with engineering and platform teams to ensure databases are reliable, optimised, and compliant with strict security requirements. This is a hands‑on technical role for someone who enjoys deep ownership, problem‑solving, and operating systems where quality truly matters. Key Responsibilities: Database Administration & Operations
- Administer and maintain PostgreSQL and MongoDB environments
- Monitor and optimise database performance, including indexing, queries, and configuration tuning
- Plan and execute database upgrades, patching, and migrations
- Design, maintain, and test backup and disaster recovery strategies
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex database issues in both development and production environments Security & Compliance
- Implement and manage database access controls, authentication, and audit mechanisms
- Ensure database environments align with defence and government security standards
- Support operations in restricted and secure environments, including classified contexts
- Partner with software and platform engineers to support application data requirements
- Develop and maintain database schemas, documentation, and operational runbooks
- Provide technical input into platform architecture and data design discussions The Successful Candidate You will be an experienced database professional comfortable operating in secure, high‑stakes environments. Required experience and skills include:
- 5+ years’ experience in database administration or database engineering roles
- Strong hands‑on experience with PostgreSQL
- Experience managing NoSQL databases, particularly MongoDB
- Solid understanding of backup, recovery, and disaster recovery planning
- Scripting and automation skills (e.g. Bash, PowerShell, Python, SQL)
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical capability
- Australian citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain NV2 security clearance
- Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Familiarity with containerised environments (Docker and/or Kubernetes)
- Experience with monitoring and logging tools
- Understanding of DevOps and CI/CD practices
- Relevant database or infrastructure certifications What’s on offer?
- Permanent role working on mission‑critical, sovereign technology platforms
- Canberra‑based position in a highly trusted technical environment
- Competitive salary package including:
- Annual performance incentive
- Private health allowance
- Wellness allowance
- Salary packaging options
- 5 weeks of annual leave
- Opportunity to work alongside senior technologists on systems of national importance #J-18808-Ljbffr Apply on Kit Job: kitjobau.com/job/3q0t26