PostgreSQL Developer Job Description Template - 2025 Guide

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced PostgreSQL Developer to join our database engineering team and build robust, high-performance database solutions using PostgreSQL's advanced features. You will design and implement complex database schemas, optimize query performance, and leverage PostgreSQL's unique capabilities including JSON/JSONB processing, window functions, and custom extensions. This role offers the opportunity to work with enterprise-scale PostgreSQL deployments, contribute to database architecture decisions, and collaborate with development teams on data-intensive applications.

Key Highlights

• Work with PostgreSQL's advanced features including JSON/JSONB, PostGIS, and custom extensions
• Design and optimize high-performance database schemas for large-scale applications
• Implement complex stored procedures, triggers, and database automation
• Competitive compensation with comprehensive benefits package
• Flexible work arrangements and continuous PostgreSQL training opportunities
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge PostgreSQL features and contribute to open-source projects

Why This Role Matters

PostgreSQL Developers are critical to our data infrastructure, creating sophisticated database solutions that power our applications and analytics platforms. You'll be instrumental in designing scalable database architectures, implementing complex data processing workflows, and optimizing performance for high-volume transactional systems. This position offers significant technical challenges, opportunities to work with PostgreSQL's most advanced features, and the chance to establish database development standards across the organization.

About the Role

As a PostgreSQL Developer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining sophisticated PostgreSQL database solutions that support mission-critical applications. You'll work closely with software developers, data engineers, and system administrators to deliver database solutions that meet both performance requirements and business objectives.

This role requires deep PostgreSQL expertise, strong SQL skills, and experience with database performance tuning and optimization. You'll contribute to database architecture decisions, implement best practices for data modeling and indexing, and help establish standards that ensure data integrity, security, and optimal performance across all PostgreSQL deployments.

We value database professionals who are passionate about PostgreSQL's advanced capabilities, continuous learning, and collaborative development. You'll have opportunities to work on diverse projects, from transactional OLTP systems to analytical OLAP workloads, and implement innovative solutions using PostgreSQL's extensive feature set.

Key Responsibilities

Database Design & Development

• Design and implement complex PostgreSQL database schemas with proper normalization and indexing strategies
• Develop sophisticated stored procedures, functions, and triggers using PL/pgSQL and other procedural languages
• Create and maintain database documentation including entity-relationship diagrams and data dictionaries
• Implement data validation rules, constraints, and referential integrity across complex relational structures

Performance Optimization & Tuning

• Analyze and optimize PostgreSQL query performance using EXPLAIN plans and performance monitoring tools
• Design and implement efficient indexing strategies including B-tree, Hash, GIN, GiST, and partial indexes
• Tune PostgreSQL configuration parameters for optimal performance based on workload characteristics
• Implement query optimization techniques including query rewriting, materialized views, and partitioning

Advanced PostgreSQL Features

• Leverage JSON/JSONB data types for semi-structured data processing and NoSQL-like functionality
• Implement full-text search capabilities using PostgreSQL's built-in search features and extensions
• Utilize window functions, common table expressions (CTEs), and advanced SQL constructs for complex analytics
• Work with PostgreSQL extensions including PostGIS for geographic data and specialized extension development

Data Integration & ETL

• Design and implement ETL processes using PostgreSQL's COPY command, foreign data wrappers, and custom scripts
• Create data transformation workflows using PostgreSQL's procedural languages and external tools
• Implement data replication and synchronization solutions using PostgreSQL's streaming replication
• Develop database integration solutions with external systems and APIs

Database Administration Support

• Collaborate with DBAs on backup and recovery strategies, high availability configurations
• Implement monitoring and alerting solutions for database performance and health metrics
• Support database security implementations including role-based access control and data encryption
• Participate in capacity planning and database scaling initiatives

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related technical field
• 4-6 years of professional PostgreSQL development experience
• Proven track record of designing and implementing production PostgreSQL databases
• Experience with full database development lifecycle from requirements analysis to deployment

Technical Skills

• Expert-level proficiency in PostgreSQL (versions 12+) with deep understanding of advanced features
• Strong SQL skills including complex joins, subqueries, window functions, and performance optimization
• Experience with PL/pgSQL and other PostgreSQL procedural languages (Python, Perl, or JavaScript)
• Solid understanding of database design principles, normalization, and data modeling techniques
• Proficiency with PostgreSQL administration tools (pgAdmin, psql, pg_dump, pg_restore)

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with focus on performance optimization
• Excellent technical documentation skills for database schemas and procedures
• Ability to work effectively with development teams and translate business requirements
• Detail-oriented approach to data integrity, security, and quality assurance

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced Technical Skills

• Experience with PostgreSQL extensions (PostGIS, pg_stat_statements, pg_trgm, TimescaleDB)
• Knowledge of PostgreSQL clustering and high availability solutions (Patroni, pg_auto_failover)
• Familiarity with PostgreSQL monitoring tools (pgBadger, pg_stat_monitor, Prometheus exporters)
• Experience with PostgreSQL-as-a-Service platforms (AWS RDS, Azure Database, Google Cloud SQL)
• Understanding of PostgreSQL internals, storage engine, and query planner mechanics

Additional Experience

• Experience with data warehouse design patterns and OLAP workload optimization
• Background in GIS applications and spatial data processing with PostGIS
• Knowledge of PostgreSQL foreign data wrappers (FDW) for external data integration
• Experience with PostgreSQL logical replication and change data capture (CDC)
• Familiarity with PostgreSQL development tools (pgTAP for testing, Migration frameworks)
• Industry certifications in PostgreSQL or database technologies

What We Offer

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary: $95,000 - $145,000 (based on experience and location)
• Performance-based bonuses and stock options
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision) with company contribution
• Retirement savings plan with company matching up to 6%
• Flexible PTO policy and paid holidays

Professional Development

• Annual learning and development budget ($3,500 per year)
• Conference attendance for PostgreSQL conferences (PGConf.US, PGConf.EU, local PostgreSQL meetups)
• Access to online learning platforms (Pluralsight, PGX courses, PostgreSQL certification programs)
• Internal database technology talks and PostgreSQL community meetup sponsorship
• Mentorship programs and database career development planning

Work Environment

• Flexible hybrid work model with remote-first options
• High-performance development workstations with multiple monitors
• Access to dedicated PostgreSQL development and testing environments
• Regular team building activities and database technology events
• Supportive, inclusive culture that values technical excellence and continuous learning

Context Variations

Corporate Environment

In enterprise settings, emphasize experience with large-scale PostgreSQL deployments, compliance requirements, and integration with enterprise systems. Highlight opportunities to work on mission-critical databases with complex business logic, established governance processes, and enterprise-grade security and audit requirements.

Startup Environment

For startup roles, focus on versatility, ability to build database solutions rapidly, and comfort with evolving requirements. Emphasize opportunities for significant ownership of database architecture, direct impact on product scalability, and experience with PostgreSQL decisions that will grow with the company.

Remote/Hybrid Work

For remote positions, emphasize strong communication skills, self-direction, and experience with distributed database development practices. Highlight asynchronous collaboration methods, code review processes for database changes, and opportunities for virtual PostgreSQL community participation and learning.

Industry Considerations

Industry	Key Requirements	Unique Aspects
Financial Services	- ACID compliance expertise - Regulatory reporting queries - High-precision financial calculations	Focus on data accuracy, audit trails, and complex financial analytics
Healthcare	- HIPAA compliance understanding - HL7/FHIR data integration - Patient data security	Emphasis on data privacy, clinical data modeling, and regulatory compliance
E-commerce	- High-transaction volume handling - Real-time inventory management - Customer analytics databases	Focus on performance, scalability, and real-time data processing
SaaS	- Multi-tenant database design - API data layer optimization - Subscription analytics	Emphasis on tenant isolation, query performance, and usage analytics
GIS/Mapping	- PostGIS expertise - Spatial indexing optimization - Geographic data processing	Focus on spatial data types, geographic queries, and mapping integrations
IoT/Analytics	- Time-series data handling - Large-scale data ingestion - Real-time analytics queries	Emphasis on partitioning, compression, and analytical query optimization

Compensation Guide

Salary Information

National Average Range: $95,000 - $145,000 annually

Major Metro Areas: | Location | Salary Range | Cost of Living Factor | |----------|-------------|---------------------| | San Francisco Bay Area | $130,000 - $180,000 | High demand, tech hub premium | | New York City | $120,000 - $170,000 | Financial services and fintech focus | | Seattle | $115,000 - $160,000 | Tech industry concentration | | Austin | $100,000 - $145,000 | Growing tech scene, lower COL | | Denver | $95,000 - $140,000 | Emerging tech market | | Chicago | $90,000 - $135,000 | Diverse industry applications | | Atlanta | $85,000 - $130,000 | Growing market, competitive rates | | Remote | $90,000 - $155,000 | Varies by company location policy |

Factors Affecting Compensation:

• Specialization in PostGIS, TimescaleDB, or other PostgreSQL extensions
• Industry sector (fintech and healthcare typically pay premiums)
• Performance tuning and optimization expertise
• PostgreSQL administration and high-availability experience

Salary data based on 2025 market research from multiple industry sources including Glassdoor, PayScale, and PostgreSQL community surveys.

Interview Questions

Technical/Functional Questions

1. PostgreSQL Architecture: "Explain PostgreSQL's MVCC (Multi-Version Concurrency Control) system and how it handles concurrent transactions. What are the implications for performance and storage?"

2. Advanced SQL: "Write a query using window functions to calculate running totals and rank customers by their monthly purchase amounts. Include handling of ties and null values."

3. Index Optimization: "Given a table with millions of rows, explain your approach to optimizing this slow query. What types of indexes would you consider and why?"

4. JSON/JSONB Processing: "Design a database schema that efficiently stores and queries semi-structured product data using JSONB. Include indexing strategies and example queries."

5. Performance Tuning: "A PostgreSQL query is running slowly. Walk me through your systematic approach to diagnosing and optimizing the performance issue."

6. Stored Procedures: "Create a PL/pgSQL function that implements complex business logic with error handling, transactions, and proper logging. Explain your design decisions."

7. Data Modeling: "Design a PostgreSQL schema for a multi-tenant SaaS application. How would you ensure data isolation while maintaining query performance?"

8. Partitioning Strategy: "Explain when and how you would implement table partitioning in PostgreSQL. What are the benefits and potential drawbacks?"

Behavioral Questions

1. Problem Solving: "Tell me about a complex PostgreSQL performance issue you solved. What was your approach and what were the results?"

2. Learning Agility: "Describe a time when you had to learn a new PostgreSQL feature or extension quickly. How did you approach the learning process?"

3. Technical Leadership: "Give me an example of when you had to convince stakeholders to adopt a particular database design or PostgreSQL approach. How did you make your case?"

4. Optimization Projects: "Walk me through a database optimization project you led. What were the challenges and how did you measure success?"

5. Collaboration: "Describe a situation where you had to work with application developers to resolve a database-related issue. How did you ensure effective communication?"

6. Quality Assurance: "Tell me about your approach to testing database changes and ensuring data integrity. What processes do you follow?"

Culture Fit Questions

1. PostgreSQL Community: "How do you stay current with PostgreSQL developments and contribute to the PostgreSQL community?"

2. Database Philosophy: "What does 'good database design' mean to you, and how do you balance normalization with performance requirements?"

3. Continuous Improvement: "Tell me about a time when you refactored or improved existing database code. What was your motivation and approach?"

4. Open Source: "Have you contributed to PostgreSQL or related open source projects? What has been your experience with the PostgreSQL community?"

Evaluation Tips: Look for candidates who demonstrate deep PostgreSQL knowledge, systematic problem-solving approaches, and understanding of performance implications. Pay attention to their experience with advanced PostgreSQL features, optimization techniques, and their ability to explain complex database concepts clearly.

Hiring Tips

Quick Sourcing Guide

Top Platforms for PostgreSQL Developers:

• GitHub: Review PostgreSQL-related repositories, contributions to database projects, and code quality
• PostgreSQL Planet: Engage with active PostgreSQL community bloggers and contributors
• LinkedIn: Professional network with PostgreSQL skill endorsements and project experience
• Stack Overflow: Look for active PostgreSQL community participants with strong reputation in database tags

Professional Communities:

• Local PostgreSQL user groups and meetups: Connect with active PostgreSQL community members
• PGConf conferences (US, EU, regional): Meet passionate, skilled PostgreSQL professionals
• PostgreSQL Slack communities and mailing lists: Engage with active PostgreSQL practitioners
• University database programs: Access new graduates with strong PostgreSQL foundations

Posting Optimization Tips:

• Include specific PostgreSQL versions and extensions candidates search for
• Mention performance tuning or GIS focus to attract relevant specialists
• Highlight opportunities to work with advanced PostgreSQL features
• Include salary ranges to attract qualified candidates

Red Flags to Avoid

Common Hiring Mistakes:

• Generic database requirements: Not specifying PostgreSQL-specific skills vs. general SQL knowledge
• Overemphasis on administration: Confusing PostgreSQL development with database administration roles
• Extension tunnel vision: Requiring specific extension experience when core PostgreSQL skills are transferable
• Scale assumptions: Assuming all candidates have worked with your specific data volumes or complexity
• Perfect knowledge expectation: Expecting expertise in every PostgreSQL feature rather than strong fundamentals
• Inadequate technical assessment: Using generic SQL tests instead of PostgreSQL-specific scenarios

FAQ Section

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This job description template is designed to attract qualified PostgreSQL Developer candidates while clearly communicating role expectations and company culture. Customize the specific requirements, compensation, and benefits to match your organization's needs and PostgreSQL implementation requirements.