Contract: Senior Database Automation Engineer

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s work marketplace. We serve everyone from one-person startups to large, Fortune 100 enterprises with a powerful, trust-driven platform that enables companies and talent to work together in new ways that unlock their potential.

Last year, more than $3.8 billion of work was done through Upwork by skilled professionals who are gaining more control by finding work they are passionate about and innovating their careers.

This is an engagement through Upwork’s Hybrid Workforce Solutions (HWS) Team. Our Hybrid Workforce Solutions Team is a global group of professionals that support Upwork’s business. Our HWS team members are located all over the world.

Join Upwork's Data Infrastructure team, which is responsible for and supports all of Upwork’s databases. This includes designing and operating the database landscape and automating anything related to it. These tasks will require deep knowledge of databases and software development.
As a Database Automation Engineer at Upwork, you'll leverage your expertise in databases and software development to tackle challenges ranging from routine tasks, like creating new databases, to more complicated tasks such as system replication and online migrations. You'll work on orchestrating complex systems, developing new database automation of different complexity, and enhancing existing automations to ensure scalability, reliability, and efficiency across Upwork’s core database infrastructure.

This is a contract position with the potential for contract renewal based on project needs and accomplishment towards deliverables.

Work/Project Scope:

• Developing new database automations and enhancing existing automations
• Develop strong tooling and automations to support a zero-downtime business
• Standard deployment, operational and maintenance DBA tasks supported by automations
• Create and maintain vulnerability management policies, procedures, and training

Must Haves (Required Skills):

• Automation mindset: desire and ability to automate repetitive tasks
• 7+ years of professional experience
• Strong software development background and experience with a language like Python (preferred) or PERL: You know how to write code for automations beyond a simple shell script
• Relational database management experience: Postgres (preferred) / MySQL / Oracle
• Proficiency with database languages: SQL, PL/SQL or pgPL/SQL
• Preferably with cloud management experience: Experience with Terraform (and similar tools like Hashicorp Packer, Chef/Ansible)
• Participate in on-call rotation for data-related incidents
• Take initiative and full accountability for solving problems and delivering outcomes, even in collaborative or challenging situations
• Think and act holistically, considering the broader impact beyond specific roles, teams, or functions
• Be resourceful and proactive, escalating issues when necessary to prevent delays or inefficiencies
• Demonstrate a commitment to excellence by maintaining high standards of execution and delivering high-quality, scalable, and innovative solutions

Upwork is proudly committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. We never discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Additionally, a criminal background check may be run on a candidate after a conditional offer to perform your services for Upwork is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.