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The Database MySQL Assistant supports the operational responsibilities of the MySQL database environment, ensuring optimal performance, security, availability, and reliability across development, testing, and production environments. This role involves routine maintenance, performance tuning, backup and recovery, security, and incident response, contributing to the stability of mission-critical systems.

Responsibilities:

Operational DBA Duties

• Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade MySQL instances (standalone and/or clustered).

• Perform routine maintenance (schema housekeeping, index maintenance, statistics updates, data retention support).

• Manage users, roles, privileges, and authentication methods according to least-privilege principles.

• Manage storage growth and capacity forecasting (disk usage, table growth trends, partitioning/archiving recommendations).

• Maintain environment consistency across DEV/UAT/PROD where applicable.

Performance & Query Optimization

• Analyze and optimize performance using tools and logs (slow query log, performance_schema, EXPLAIN/EXPLAIN ANALYZE).

• Provide indexing strategy and implement approved indexes/changes.

• Tune MySQL/InnoDB parameters (buffer pool, redo logs, flush behaviour, connection/thread settings, temp tables, etc.).

• Identify and remediate lock contention, deadlocks, replication delays, and inefficient access patterns.

Availability, Replication & Disaster Recovery

• Design and operate backup strategies (logical/physical backups, binlog retention, encryption where required).

• Execute and document restore tests on a defined cadence to validate RPO/RTO objectives.

Security & Compliance

• Apply MySQL hardening standards (secure configs, TLS in transit, encryption at rest if supported, restricted remote access).

• Manage patching and upgrades including risk/impact assessment and change planning.

• Support audit/compliance requirements (access reviews, evidence gathering, logging and retention).

Monitoring, Incident Response & Problem Management

• Implement/maintain monitoring and alerting (e.g., PMM, Prometheus/Grafana, cloud-native monitoring).

• Define alert thresholds and reduce noise (actionable alerts, escalation paths)

• Provide incident triage and resolution within agreed service hours and severity targets.

• Conduct root cause analysis for major incidents and deliver corrective/preventive actions.

• Maintain operational documentation (backup/restore, failover, replication fixes, common performance issues).

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Strong administration of MySQL (preferably 8.0+). 5+ years hands-on MySQL DBA experience in production environments.

• Knowledge of SQL optimization, indexing, and query execution plans.

• Expert knowledge on backup/restore (e.g., mysqldump, mysqlpump, Percona XtraBackup or equivalent) and point-in-time recovery.

• Linux fundamentals (system resources, I/O, file systems, network basics) relevant to database performance.

• Security best practices (TLS, privilege management, audit/logging, secure configuration).

• Knowledge on a second database technology like PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server

• Automation/SRE mindset: scripting (Bash/Python/Perl).

• Demonstrated experience supporting business-critical systems with defined SLAs.

• Proven track record in performance troubleshooting and incident handling.

If you've read the description and feel this role is a great match, we'd love to hear from you! Click "Apply for this job" to be directed to a brief questionnaire. It should only take a few moments to complete, and we'll be in touch promptly if your experience aligns with our needs.