Staff Backend Engineer - Database Change Management
Core
Lead the design and delivery of a migration validation and test framework to replace GitLab's sequential database migration system with a dependency graph model for faster, safer upgrades.
Role type
Staff Backend Engineer (Database Change Management)
Builds
Dependency graph migration system, migration validation and test framework, versioned fixture data, CI-integrated test runner.
Domain
DevSecOps, Database Architecture, Ruby on Rails ecosystem
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
Ruby on Rails (Active Record migration internals), PostgreSQL (schema changes, locking, DDL failure modes), system design, technical mentorship, asynchronous written communication, cross-timezone collaboration
Preferred skills
Experience with Django or Ecto migration systems, experience leading delivery from design through adoption, experience serving as technical anchor for distributed teams
Technologies
Ruby on Rails, PostgreSQL, Active Record, Django, Ecto
Responsibilities
Lead design and delivery of migration validation and test framework; Contribute to dependency graph migration system; Mentor intermediate engineers; Make and document technical decisions asynchronously; Review schema migrations for safety and compatibility; Author and defend architecture proposals
Seniority
Staff, hands-on IC with architecture ownership and cross-team influence