Principal Database Engineer - PostgreSQL & Kafka at Las Vegas Sands Corp

Dallas, Texas, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Hospitality, GamingIndustries

Requirements

At least 21 years of age
Proof of authorization to work in the United States
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field
Must be able to obtain and maintain any certification or license, as required by law or policy
10+ years of relevant experience
5+ years of experience in database engineering, with a focus on PostgreSQL and scalable data architectures
Extensive knowledge of database design principles, normalization, and development methodologies
Proficiency in PostgreSQL, including advanced features such as partitioning, replication, and performance tuning
Demonstrated experience working closely with application developers to ensure collaborative refinement and implementation of data models and queries
Deep understanding of relational and NoSQL databases, including database design and data modeling
Experience with PostgreSQL performance tuning, query optimization, and monitoring tools (e.g., pg_stat_statements, pgBadger)
Demonstrated experience implementing database schema version control tools such as Flyway or Liquibase or AtlasGO
Strong hands-on expertise in PostgreSQL replication including configuration and management of backup tools like pgBackRest or Barman as well as designing and executing failover strategies
Knowledge of containerized deployments (Docker, Kubernetes) and infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, Ansible)
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and database version control tools (e.g., Flyway, Liquibase)
Exposure to analytics and reporting tools that integrate with PostgreSQL

Responsibilities

Define and drive the architectural vision and design principles for PostgreSQL database systems and Kafka Messaging systems ensuring they are scalable, maintainable, and aligned with business goals
Optimize PostgreSQL performance through query tuning, indexing strategies, and configuration adjustments
Manage database replication, backup, and recovery processes using PostgreSQL-native tools and third-party solutions
Monitor database health and proactively address performance bottlenecks and system anomalies
Collaborate with application developers to design efficient data models and support application performance
Ensure database security, access control, and compliance with data governance policies
Support PostgreSQL upgrades, patching, and migration efforts across environments
Lead the technical direction and innovation of database architecture and management efforts
Drive initiatives for process improvements within the engineering team to enhance productivity, collaboration, and data quality
Implement and operate observability: Prometheus/Grafana dashboards, alerting policies, and centralized logging/tracing
Create runbooks, available for on-call rotations, triage incidents, and drive blameless post-incident reviews
Perform job duties in a safe manner
Attend work as scheduled on a consistent and regular basis
Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

PostgreSQLKafkaQuery TuningIndexingReplicationBackupRecoveryMonitoringData ModelingDatabase SecurityAccess ControlPatchingMigration

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience is required for the Principal Database Engineer role?

Candidates need 10+ years of relevant experience, including 5+ years in database engineering focused on PostgreSQL and scalable data architectures, plus a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field.

What key technical skills are needed for this position?

Proficiency in PostgreSQL including advanced features like partitioning and replication, expertise in Kafka Messaging systems, extensive knowledge of database design principles and normalization, and skills in observability tools like Prometheus/Grafana.

Is this a remote position or does it require office work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What does the company expect from team members in terms of conduct?

Team Members are expected to conduct themselves professionally, observe company standards, work requirements, and rules of conduct, while performing duties in accordance with departmental and company policies.