Senior Database Engineer

Job Overview:

The Database Engineering Team at ExploreK12 is looking for a Senior Database Engineer to be responsible for providing database support and strategy for our database ecosystem. Database administration includes production support, upgrades, performance tuning, disaster recovery as well as helping set and enforce database level controls and standards for the applications team.

This is an individual contributor role with significant technical influence, you'll set database standards and best practices that application engineering teams follow, without direct reports. This role reports to the Systems Manager and will often collaborate with the engineering teams offering guidance.

Job Responsibilities:

• Replication configuration and management
• SQL query plan analysis and optimization
• Backup and restoration management
• Application query optimization
• Enhances the effectiveness of database tools and services
• Enhances the scalability and performance of existing database structures
• Work with system engineers to maintain and monitor backup processes and test restorations including disaster recovery
• Work with the infrastructure and other internal teams (e.g. developers and product managers) to identify system requirements
• Monitor system performance and alerts to identify current and future problems
• Ethical handling of private data
• Minimize database downtime and maximize database reliability
• Predict capacity requirements
• Help review requirements, specifications and technical design documents to provide timely and meaningful feedback
• Keeps up to date with technological developments

Job Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience with engineering and/or administering databases
• Hands on, professional experience building and operating performance critical applications and databases, with significant experience in both MySQL/Linux and SQL Server/Windows environments
• Strong knowledge of relational databases including normalization, indexing and SQL
• Knowledge of data security and integrity
• Knowledge of a high-volume SaaS database environment
• Exceptional communications skills (verbal, written, illustrative/diagrammatic)
• Ability to build strong relationships

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with student-data privacy frameworks (e.g. FERPA) strongly preferred given the nature of our platform
• Knowledge of PHP or other scripting languages
• Experience with NoSQL databases
• Experience working in an Agile/Scrum development process
• Recent experience with iPaaS and/or canonical data models
• Experience leading or contributing to an on-prem to cloud migration, as this role may help shape ExploreK12's future cloud strategy specifically AWS

Why Work for Us

When you join ExploreK12™, you become part of a mission to help educators unlock brighter futures for every student.

As a trusted leader in educational technology, we serve more than 17 million students and educators across 150+ countries with innovative, research-backed learning solutions that truly make a difference. Our flagship products—Gizmos™, Raz-Plus®, and Reflex™—are beloved by educators and students alike for being as practical and effective as they are fun.

To learn more about our organization and the exciting work we do, visit www.ExploreK12.com.

Remote First Work Environment 

Our Remote First approach gives employees the flexibility and trust they need to effectively balance work with life. It creates a culture in which all employees are valued and where success is measured in results. It allows us to work collaboratively, inclusively and for greater positive impact, regardless of our individual locations.

If you will be working remotely, either occasionally or on a permanent basis, you must have a reliable internet connection through a cable or fiber-optic broadband service with minimum speeds of 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload.

The successful candidate will be expected to actively participate in video-based interviews during the recruiting process and ongoing virtual meetings with their camera on, as part of their role. To maintain confidentiality and ensure a fair evaluation process, the use of note-taking tools, reference materials, or AI-powered tools (including generative AI, language models, or similar technologies) during interviews or other selection activities is prohibited unless prior written approval has been obtained from the People Experience team. If you require an exception for medical, accessibility, or other reasons, please contact your Talent Acquisition team member to discuss accommodations in advance.

As part of our Remote-First benefits, Cambium offers reimbursement to help cover the cost of setting up your home or remote office.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that celebrates unique backgrounds, ideas, and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender, gender identity/expression, or sexual orientation), national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or genetic information (including family medical history).

We will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.  You may request an accommodation during the recruiting process with your Talent Acquisition team member.