Principal Database Administrator — Xela

Principal Database Administrator — Xela

Location: Aurora, CO (Onsite)
Compensation: $210,000 – $230,000 base
Clearance Required: Active transferable TS/SCI required | TS/SCI with CI Poly preferred
Work Authorization: U.S. Citizenship required
Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

Xela is seeking a Principal Database Administrator to support mission-critical classified infrastructure and software systems in a high-priority defense environment. This is a senior technical role focused on PostgreSQL administration, Linux infrastructure, clustered environments, and urgent production troubleshooting within secure operational systems.

This role is ideal for a highly experienced database professional who thrives in fast-paced operational environments where reliability, performance, and immediate issue resolution are critical.

What You'll Own

• Administer and maintain PostgreSQL databases supporting mission-critical applications
• Support clustered database infrastructure and containerized environments
• Manage Ubuntu Linux operational systems and backend database infrastructure
• Perform database installation, upgrades, patching, maintenance, and configuration management
• Troubleshoot urgent production database and infrastructure issues
• Refine database architecture, scalability, performance, and reliability
• Collaborate with systems engineers and software teams on backend application integration
• Support schema management, design updates, and architecture documentation
• Respond to operational support requests in classified environments

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, STEM, or related field
• 8+ years of database administration or related infrastructure experience
• 5+ years of PostgreSQL administration in enterprise or mission-critical environments
• Strong Ubuntu/Linux systems administration expertise
• Experience with clustered database and containerized infrastructure environments
• Strong troubleshooting and production support capability
• Bash scripting and Python experience
• Experience integrating backend databases with application environments
• Strong Linux command-line proficiency
• Ability to obtain Security+ within 60 days if not already held
• Active transferable TS/SCI clearance required
• U.S. Citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications

• CI Polygraph
• Oracle SQL / PL/SQL experience
• Defense or intelligence program experience
• DevSecOps or Agile environment exposure
• Infrastructure modernization experience
• Real-time mission system support experience

Target Profile

Strong matches will likely come from cleared defense contractors, national security programs, aerospace, intelligence infrastructure teams, or senior Linux/PostgreSQL administrators supporting classified operational systems.

Logistics

• Role is fully onsite in Aurora, CO
• Active transferable TS/SCI clearance required on Day 1 — no exceptions
• U.S. Citizenship required — no visa sponsorship available

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by David Joseph & Co., the recruiting partner managing this search on behalf of Xela.