Database Engineering Manager

Purple Wave is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Database Engineering Manager to lead our database function — setting the architectural direction for our database systems while managing the database administration team that operates them. This is a hands-on technical leadership role. Position is remote work eligible in the US for the qualified candidate.

The Database Engineering Manager is responsible for designing and optimizing our database infrastructure to ensure high performance, reliability, and scalability, and for leading and developing the database administration team responsible for its day-to-day operation. The position sets database architecture direction — including disaster recovery, clustering, replication, and encryption strategy — while managing the DBAs who execute and maintain these systems. The position works closely with our IT Infrastructure & Operations and Product Engineering teams to understand stakeholder needs and implement best practices for database management.

• Lead: manage, develop, and set direction for the database administration team.
• Design, develop, and maintain database architecture for high availability, scalability, and performance, including disaster recovery (e.g., Max Scale), clustering (e.g., Galera), master-slave replication, and encryption-at-rest strategies.
• Optimize database systems for performance and reliability and cost.
• Collaborate with development teams to design and optimize queries and database access patterns.
• Monitor database performance and troubleshoot issues.
• Oversee operational database management, including user credential administration, backup and recovery, and database schema updates coordinated with Product Engineering releases.
• Ensure data integrity, security, and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Develop and maintain documentation related to database architecture, processes, and procedures.
• Provide guidance and support to development and operations teams on database-related matters.
• Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies related to database management.
• Undertake additional assigned duties as requested.

• Lead, manage, and develop the database administration team, providing technical direction, mentorship, and career development.
• Set priorities and delegate operational database work (backups, credentialing, monitoring, schema releases) across the team to ensure reliable coverage.
• Conduct performance reviews, support hiring and onboarding, and build the team’s technical capability over time.
• Establish and enforce standards, runbooks, and best practices for database operations and administration.
• Coordinate across time zones to ensure appropriate operational coverage and responsiveness.

• Directly manages one or more Database Administrators, with responsibility for their performance, development, and day-to-day direction.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 10+ years proven experience as a Database Architect, Senior Database Administrator, or similar role, with demonstrated architecture ownership.
• 5+ years experience leading, mentoring, or managing database administrators or a technical team.
• Expertise in MariaDB, including replication, clustering (Galera), high-availability/proxy solutions (Max Scale), and backup strategies.
• Strong knowledge of database design, data modeling, and normalization.
• Proficiency in SQL and performance tuning.
• Experience with database security, encryption at rest, and data protection practices.
• Familiarity with cloud database solutions and services.
• Hands-on experience with AWS RDS (Relational Database Service).
• Excellent…