The Sr Database Software Engineer designs, builds, and optimizes systems that move data across LAIKA’s creative and technical pipelines. This role focuses on developing back-end services, improving database performance, and creating tools that connect artists and engineers through reliable, scalable technology. Strong programming experience with databases is essential—along with curiosity, collaboration, and a passion for supporting the art of storytelling through elegant engineering —along with curiosity, collaboration, and a passion for supporting the art of storytelling through elegant engineering.
Job Functions- Design, develop, and operate database platform services that support studio-wide applications and infrastructure.
- Partner with developers and pipeline teams to model, design, and implement scalable, maintainable data systems.
- Build tools and APIs that empower users across production and technology to work more efficiently.
- Maintain and improve existing systems to ensure reliability, interoperability, and ease of use.
- Automate recurring tasks using modern DevOps and scripting practices to improve performance and maintainability.
- Investigate and resolve complex technical challenges and problems in a high-demand production environment.
- Explore and evaluate emerging database technologies, including graph and vector databases, to support evolving studio needs.
- Contribute to our event-driven architecture and data wrangling systems (ETL/ELT pipelines).
- Offer expertise in the development and establishment of core tools and APIs in one or more of these areas: application dependency mapping, software unit testing frameworks, build and release systems, enterprise messaging, automated deployment, cloud storage interfaces.
- 7+ years of applied software development or engineering experience in a professional setting.
- Experience deploying, managing, and optimizing PostgreSQL in an enterprise environment.
- Solid understanding of database design, implementation, and troubleshooting.
- Experience developing applications backed by databases at scale.
- Proficiency in Python, Rust, C, or C++.
- Experience with SDLC concepts and methodologies including CI/CD and version control.
- Experience developing and operating services on container platforms such as Docker/Kubernetes preferred.
- Experience developing for Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems preferred.
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk; stand; sit; use hands to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear both in person and by telephone. The employee must lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee works under typical office conditions and is exposed to variable indoor temperatures. The noise level is usually quiet or moderate.
On-site in Hillsboro, OR, and eligible for hybrid and/or remote work (in CA, OR, or WA only).
SalarySalary is commensurate with skills and experience.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
Please review our EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER and MATERIALS SUBMISSION AGREEMENT.
Top Skills
What We Do
LAIKA was founded in 2005 in Oregon and is guided by the vision of its President & CEO Travis Knight. Located just outside Portland, Oregon, LAIKA was awarded a Scientific and Technology Oscar® for its innovation in 3D printing in 2016. Its five films - Missing Link (2019); Kubo and the Two Strings (2016); The Boxtrolls (2014); ParaNorman (2012), and Coraline (2009) - were all nominated for Oscars® and PGA Awards as Outstanding Animated Film. Missing Link was the first LAIKA film to win the Golden Globe® for Best Animated Feature and was awarded two Visual Effects Society (VES) awards for Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Feature and Outstanding Animated Character, and received seven Annie Award nominations. Kubo received a second Oscar® nomination for Outstanding Visual Effects and won the BAFTA Award, as well as three Annie Awards, the National Board of Review's Best Animated Feature citation, and 19 regional and critics’ group awards. The Boxtrolls earned Critics’ Choice and Golden Globe Award nominations and 13 Annie Award nominations, more than any other film that year. ParaNorman garnered BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and GLAAD Media Award nominations, won two Annie Awards, and was cited as the year’s best animated film by 14 critics’ groups. Coraline earned Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Critics’ Choice nominations and was named one of the year’s 10 Best Films by the American Film Institute (AFI). For more information, visit http://www.LAIKA.com.
