Sr. Database Administrator - Chicago OR Denver

FreeWheel, a Comcast company, provides comprehensive ad platforms for publishers, advertisers, and media buyers. Powered by premium video content, robust data, and advanced technology, we're making it easier for buyers and sellers to transact across all screens, data types, and sales channels. As a global company, we have offices in nine countries and can insert advertisements around the world.
Job Summary
Founded by a team of executives from the world's leading technology companies, FreeWheel is building the media operations platform for the unified television market. Companies including ABC, AOL, DIRECTV, ESPN and NBC Universal depend on our robust advertising management/ monetization platform, leverage our private marketplace for premium television inventory, and seek out our advisory services, so they can generate revenue from their ad supported content. We're adding to our dynamic team of energetic and creative thinkers who enjoy coming to work everyday ...because they get to do something great!
Job Description
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:
FreeWheel is seeking a Database Administrator who will report to the Operations DBA Manager to assist in managing databases that support critical line-of-business applications. This individual will own critical changes to production databases in collaboration with the Engineering team, offering guidance and ensuring seamless coordination of these changes while maintaining a high Service Level Objective (99.99% uptime, etc.) commitment. In addition to the technical responsibilities, the ideal candidate should be a valuable team member who is open to giving and receiving recommendations regarding the design of the production environment. Lastly, this role requires adherence to all global DBA team conventions, processes, guidelines, priorities, cadences, tooling, etc., and providing support for all requirements from the US side ENG (and other stakeholders), executing key projects, handling BAU tasks, being on-call, and bridging the gap between the different teams from different locations.
Responsibilities

• Provide 24/7 on-call support to ensure database service meets SLA/SLO requirements.
• Safely execute all database changes in compliance with release protocols, while addressing ad-hoc requests from cross-functional teams across global locations.
• Proactively optimize database performance, stability, security, and cost efficiency, including upstream/downstream application tuning.
• Review and implement database changes such as:
  • Data updates
  • Index tuning
  • Parameter adjustments
  • Schema migrations
  • Capacity planning
  • Application-level enhancements
• Drive database architecture evolution, including topology design, engine/feature adoption, high availability (HA), disaster recovery (DR), consistency strategies, and upgrade planning.
• Enforce data governance and security policies, and support implementation of DB-related processes and enhancements.
• Continuously monitor and optimize database cost through data-driven analysis and industry best practices.
• Design, implement, and enhance monitoring and alerting systems to support both BAU operations and project initiatives.
• Build and maintain automation tools, services, and portals to improve operational efficiency and reliability.

About You

• 4 - 5+ years of end-to-end database management experience, including installation, monitoring, performance tuning, backup/recovery, replication, and HA/DR solutions.
• Hands-on experience with one or more of the following: MySQL, RDS (MySQL/Aurora), DynamoDB, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, ClickHouse, Snowflake.
• Eager to expand your expertise to new database technologies as required by FreeWheel's evolving business needs.
• Proficient in at least one programming or scripting language: Go, Python, Ansible, JavaScript, Vue.js, CSS, Java, C/C++.
• Strong working knowledge of Linux/Unix systems (e.g., Rocky Linux, Red Hat, Debian, CentOS); Windows experience is a plus.
• Familiar with cloud platforms, especially AWS or OCI.
• Experience with monitoring tools such as Prometheus, Grafana/Kibana, ELK, Nagios.
• Comfortable working with geographically distributed systems across WAN environments.
• Familiarity with infrastructure components like Nginx, NetScaler, VPLS, GSLB, and storage solutions (e.g., EBS, PureStorage, Cohesity).
• Proven ability to troubleshoot, design, and build fault-tolerant systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS, or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Life is short. Work someplace great.
FreeWheel offers a dynamic, flexible work environment with competitive salary and benefits packages. The challenges we solve are serious, but we're not. We have fun everyday because we love what we do. We are on a mission to shape the future of television and this is your chance to be part of it. Want to join the team that's already thinking about what TV is going to look like five years from now? Apply here!
Core Responsibilities

• Leads a task force to develop and implement a database that addresses current and future business needs. Maintains hardware platforms to perform at optimum response; maintains capacity planning and implements new databases due to conversions.
• Develops and implements complex data models and logical database designs. Oversees the design/tune and maintains and supports database systems for high available, high-volume internet applications.
• Manages and tests backup and recovery plans and improves disaster recovery plans.
• Develops and implements plans to oversee the database administration function and ensures smooth transition to new technology. Provides recommendations on database technologies and features.
• Communicates and understands impact of database changes and status to affected parties and designs appropriate solutions. Provides updates in database technologies and trends.
• Develops database technology standards and associated documentation.
• Works with the network and security teams to ensure database adherence to security standards.
• Consistent exercise of independent judgment and discretion in matters of significance.
• Regular, consistent and punctual attendance. Must be able to work nights and weekends, variable schedule(s) and overtime as necessary.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Employees at all levels are expected to:

• Understand our Operating Principles; make them the guidelines for how you do your job.
• Own the customer experience - think and act in ways that put our customers first, give them seamless digital options at every touchpoint, and make them promoters of our products and services.
• Know your stuff - be enthusiastic learners, users and advocates of our game-changing technology, products and services, especially our digital tools and experiences.
• Win as a team - make big things happen by working together and being open to new ideas.
• Be an active part of the Net Promoter System - a way of working that brings more employee and customer feedback into the company - by joining huddles, making call backs and helping us elevate opportunities to do better for our customers.
• Drive results and growth.
• Support a culture of inclusion in how you work and lead.
• Do what's right for each other, our customers, investors and our communities.

Disclaimer:

• This information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications.

Comcast is an equal opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Skills:
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI); Snowflake (Platform); MySQL; Python (Programming Language)
Salary:
Primary Location Pay Range: $102,163.62 - $153,245.43
Additional Range: This job can be performed in Denver Campus with a Pay Range of $102,163.62 - $160,542.83
Comcast intends to offer the selected candidate base pay within this range, dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience. The application window is 30 days from the date job is posted, unless the number of applicants requires it to close sooner or later.
The application window is 30 days from the date job is posted, unless the number of applicants requires it to close sooner or later.
Base pay is one part of the Total Rewards that Comcast provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work. Most sales positions are eligible for a Commission under the terms of an applicable plan, while most non-sales positions are eligible for a Bonus. Additionally, Comcast provides best-in-class Benefits to eligible employees. We believe that benefits should connect you to the support you need when it matters most, and should help you care for those who matter most. That's why we provide an array of options, expert guidance and always-on tools, that are personalized to meet the needs of your reality - to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit the compensation and benefits summary on our careers site for more details.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
While possessing the stated degree is preferred, Comcast also may consider applicants who hold some combination of coursework and experience, or who have extensive related professional experience.
Relevant Work Experience
7-10 Years