Optomi, in partnership with a leading technology firm, is looking for a Senior Database Performance Engineer to join their team in Houston, TX.
Position Summary: The Senior Database Performance Engineer will act as the primary guardian of the company's data layer, bridging the gap between database administration and backend application logic. This role involves taking ownership of database consistency, query performance, and ORM integration within a Node.js environment. The successful candidate will ensure that high-volume transactional databases run at peak efficiency and will be instrumental in building out a dedicated data team.
What the right candidate will enjoy:
- Working in a dynamic and challenging environment
- Opportunities to influence and build a new data team
- A competitive salary with equity options
What type of experience does the right candidate have:
- 10+ years of advanced experience with relational databases, specifically PostgreSQL and MS SQL Server
- Strong hands-on experience in a Node.js / Express ecosystem utilizing Prisma ORM
- Proven ability to read and interpret complex SQL execution plans
What the responsibilities are of the right candidate:
- Proactively identify, troubleshoot, and rewrite slow-running queries
- Oversee and maintain Prisma packages and integrations
- Conduct rigorous manual reviews of SQL queries and stored procedures
- Enforce data consistency across multiple database environments
Job Description We Got Sent:
Role Overview We are seeking a highly specialized Senior Database Performance Engineer to act as the primary guardian of our data layer. This role bridges the gap between database administration and backend application logic. The ideal candidate will take ownership of database consistency, query performance, and ORM integration within a Node.js environment. You will be responsible for ensuring our high-volume transactional databases (including complex schemas for events, tickets, and affiliates) run at peak efficiency without bottlenecks.
Key Responsibilities
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Query Optimization & Execution Analysis: Proactively identify, troubleshoot, and rewrite slow-running queries. Perform deep database optimizations by analyzing execution plans, adjusting indexing strategies, and resolving locking/blocking issues.
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ORM Management: Oversee, review, and maintain Prisma packages and integrations. Ensure the Prisma schema files are highly optimized and prevent common ORM pitfalls (e.g., N+1 query problems, inefficient batching).
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SQL Code Review: Conduct rigorous manual reviews of handwritten SQL queries, stored procedures, and complex triggers (including audit triggers) prior to deployment.
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Database Consistency: Enforce structural integrity and data consistency across PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MS SQL Server environments.
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Refinement & Updates: Write, review, and deploy updates to database queries and Prisma migration files as the application scales.
Required Qualifications & Technical Skills
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Deep Database Expertise: 10+ years of advanced experience with relational databases, specifically PostgreSQL and MS SQL Server.
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Performance Tuning: Proven ability to read and interpret complex SQL execution plans, identify expensive operations, and implement structural or code-level fixes.
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Backend & ORM Proficiency: Strong hands-on experience in a Node.js / Express ecosystem heavily utilizing Prisma ORM. Must understand how Prisma translates JavaScript/TypeScript commands into underlying SQL.
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Schema & Architecture: Experience designing and maintaining complex relational schemas, writing robust triggers, and managing data migrations without downtime.
Nice-to-Have (Bonus Skills)
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Experience operating and optimizing databases in cloud environments (AWS).
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Familiarity with handling sensitive or regulated data (e.g., KYC compliance, international payment integrations).
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Familiarity with NoSQL databases (such as DynamoDB) for auxiliary data storage.
