Job Description
Company: AAR
Location: Wood Dale, IL
Workplace Type: On-site
Employment Type: Full-time
Pay / Compensation: $110,000 – $130,000
About the Role
AAR is seeking an experienced PostgreSQL Database Administrator (DBA) to manage, maintain, optimize, and secure enterprise PostgreSQL database environments across on-premises and cloud infrastructures. The role supports mission-critical applications through proactive performance tuning, architecture design, high availability, and disaster recovery. This position is based at corporate headquarters in Wood Dale, IL, with a planned relocation to Chicago in early 2027.
What You’ll Do / Key Responsibilities
- Install, configure, upgrade, clone, and maintain PostgreSQL database environments across production, staging, and development.
- Monitor database health, uptime, and performance, managing schemas, tables, indexes, partitions, views, and functions.
- Perform routine database maintenance including VACUUM, ANALYZE, REINDEX, statistics management, and storage optimization.
- Analyze slow-running queries and optimize SQL performance using EXPLAIN, EXPLAIN ANALYZE, and pg_stat_statements.
- Tune PostgreSQL configuration parameters including shared_buffers, work_mem, maintenance_work_mem, and wal_buffers.
- Develop, test, and maintain robust backup and disaster recovery procedures, performing database restores and refreshes.
- Manage PostgreSQL deployments on cloud platforms including Azure Database for PostgreSQL and AWS RDS for PostgreSQL.
- Support database design and migration initiatives including Oracle-to-PostgreSQL and MSSQL-to-PostgreSQL transitions.
Requirements & Qualifications
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in PostgreSQL database administration and related database technologies.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
- Advanced administration knowledge of PostgreSQL across on-premises and cloud environments.
- Strong migration experience (Oracle or MSSQL Server to PostgreSQL; on-prem to Azure).
- Proven expertise in SQL query optimization, indexing strategies, and database performance bottleneck resolution.
- Solid technical writing, communication, troubleshooting, and multitasking capabilities.
Preferred / Bonus Qualifications
- Experience with additional database technologies such as Oracle, MSSQL Server, or MySQL.
- Relevant professional database administration certifications.
- Experience operating within RHEL and Windows environments.
Benefits & Perks
- Anticipated salary range: $110,000 to $130,000 annually, plus eligibility for a 10% bonus.
- Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance.
- 401(k) savings plan with company match.
- Paid time off (PTO) and holiday pay.
- Professional development and career growth opportunities.
AAR is an equal opportunity employer.