We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Lead System Engineer - MySQL DBA to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, optimizing, and maintaining enterprise-level MySQL databases while ensuring top-level scalability, performance, and security. As a leader, you will drive database modernization initiatives, mentor junior team members, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver efficient database solutions.
Responsibilities
- Lead MySQL database design, architecture optimization, HA/DR planning, and automation efforts
- Ensure enterprise-level scalability, reliability, performance, and security
- Provide expert-level support for critical incidents and mentor L2 DBAs
- Drive modernization, tuning, and automation initiatives across MySQL environments
- Collaborate with application, cloud, DevOps, and infrastructure teams for end-to-end database lifecycle improvements
- Architect, configure, and maintain complex MySQL environments in production
- Lead major upgrades, cross-platform migrations, and patching cycles
- Design and implement robust HA/DR solutions such as Group Replication, InnoDB Cluster, or XtraDB Cluster
- Perform advanced performance tuning using slow logs, Performance Schema, sys schema, and deep query analysis
- Implement enterprise backup strategies using Percona XtraBackup and support PITR scenarios
- Conduct capacity planning, growth forecasting, and scalability assessments
- Define and enforce MySQL security standards, access control, encryption techniques (TDE/SSL), and audit practices
- Support developers with query optimization, schema reviews, and stored procedure tuning
- Validate complex releases, participate in CAB meetings, and ensure smooth deployment cycles
- Maintain architecture diagrams, standards, and best practices documentation
- Drive automation through Shell, Python, or Ansible and integrate database tasks into CI/CD pipelines
- Act as an escalation point for critical issues and mentor junior and L2 DBAs
Requirements
- 9+ years of experience as a MySQL DBA with enterprise-scale responsibilities
- At least 1 year of relevant leadership experience
- Deep understanding of MySQL internals, InnoDB tuning, redo logs, isolation levels, and locking
- Strong expertise in replication, including GTID setup, multi-source replication, and failover handling
- Advanced performance tuning skills leveraging Performance Schema, EXPLAIN ANALYZE, and index optimization
- Expertise in backup and recovery, including XtraBackup, PITR, and disaster recovery strategies
- Strong background in Linux OS administration and scripting with Shell or Python
- Knowledge of additional RDBMS systems such as Oracle, MS SQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB
- Capability to lead critical incident calls, perform root-cause analysis, and coordinate across cross-functional teams
- Fluency in English (both written and spoken) at a minimum B2 level
Nice to have
- Experience with cloud database platforms, including Aurora MySQL, RDS, Azure MySQL, or GCP Cloud SQL
- Knowledge of Percona and MariaDB variants and their performance nuances
- Experience with DevOps tools like Ansible, Terraform, or Jenkins
- Familiarity with security frameworks, audit compliance, and data protection standards
- Industry certifications, including MySQL OCP or Percona Certified DBA
