Intermediate Backend Engineer - Database Change Management

GitLab is seeking an Intermediate Backend Engineer to join the team that owns GitLab's database upgrade experience. You will help build software that makes upgrades safe, fast, and predictable for both GitLab.com and self-managed customers.

As an Intermediate Backend Engineer on this team, you'll work in Ruby on Rails and PostgreSQL alongside experienced engineers to build and test the system that applies database schema changes during an upgrade and catches problems before they reach customers.

Responsibilities:

• Build and test the system that safely applies database schema changes during upgrades for both GitLab.com and self-managed customers.
• Develop and maintain testing frameworks that validate schema changes before they reach production.
• Implement checks and safeguards that catch problems before upgrades run, preventing failed or slow upgrades for customers.
• Review and improve database schema migrations from other engineers and external contributors to ensure safety, consistency, and backward compatibility.
• Work cross-functionally with operations, packaging, distribution, and QA teams to ensure the upgrade experience is reliable and smooth for all customers.
• Document upgrade procedures, schema change patterns, and migration best practices to help other engineers work with and maintain the system.
• Work with operations teams to identify their needs and continuously improve the safety and speed of customer upgrades, with success measured by fewer failed or slow upgrades and a more reliable upgrade experience.

Requirements:

• Professional software engineering experience working with PostgreSQL in large, complex production environments, including schema migrations and performance tuning.
• Proficiency with Ruby on Rails, with experience designing, implementing, and reviewing backend features and services.
• Ability to reason about software design, algorithms, and system-level trade-offs, particularly regarding reliability, safety, and backward compatibility in production upgrades.
• Strong written communication skills and comfort working asynchronously in an all-remote, distributed team.
• Self-directed work style with effective organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities as a "manager of one".
• Alignment with GitLab's values, including transparency, teamwork, inclusion, and contribution to open source practices.
• Experience working with operations or infrastructure teams, or willingness to learn how to effectively work across organisational boundaries.

Benefits:

• Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Team Member Resource Groups
• Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Growth and Development Fund
• Parental Leave