Staff Database Administrator
@ Wikimedia Foundation

Hybrid
$150,000
Hybrid
Full Time
Posted 24 days ago

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XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX****** @wikimedia.org
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Job Details

Overview

The Staff Database Administrator at Wikimedia Foundation supports and protects the sum of all human knowledge by managing and optimizing large-scale relational database infrastructures. This role focuses on MariaDB and other MySQL derivatives to ensure high performance and integrity of Wikimedia’s production systems.

Responsibilities

  • Ensure health and performance of production relational databases.
  • Deploy, maintain and troubleshoot database systems across environments.
  • Design and automate multi-site replication topologies.
  • Consult on database schema design and query optimization.
  • Monitor, debug, and optimize query performance and infrastructure observability.
  • Plan capacity and manage on-prem hardware resources.
  • Automate common database management workflows.
  • Maintain reliable backups and collaborate with upstream projects.
  • Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation for incident response.

Skills & Experience

  • Advanced experience with MariaDB/MySQL administration and replication.
  • Proficiency in SQL, query/schema optimization and performance debugging.
  • Experience with high traffic website architectures and high availability setups.
  • Strong Linux knowledge and understanding of IO/data storage systems.
  • 6+ years in a hands-on DBA role with strong English communication skills.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

  • Automation/scripting skills, preferably in Python.
  • Experience with SRE practices, configuration management, and orchestration.
  • Familiarity with LAMP stack, MediaWiki, and alternative storage systems.
  • Proven open source contributions are a plus.

About Wikimedia Foundation

The Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia and other free knowledge projects. It is a remote-first organization with offices in San Francisco, California, and offers a global, diverse work environment focused on collective impact.

Key skills/competency

  • MariaDB
  • MySQL
  • SQL
  • Replication
  • Performance
  • Linux
  • Automation
  • Scripting
  • Backup
  • SRE
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How to Get Hired at Wikimedia Foundation

🎯 Tips for Getting Hired

  • Research Wikimedia Foundation's culture: Review their mission, projects, and values.
  • Customize your resume: Highlight SQL, replication, and Linux expertise.
  • Showcase concrete experience: Detail large-scale database management projects.
  • Prepare for technical interviews: Practice query optimization and troubleshooting scenarios.
  • Network effectively: Connect via LinkedIn with current team members.

📝 Interview Preparation Advice

Technical Preparation

Review MariaDB and MySQL documents.
Practice SQL query performance tuning.
Study Linux internals and IO troubleshooting.
Refresh replication configuration techniques.

Behavioral Questions

Describe handling high-pressure incident responses.
Discuss collaboration in distributed teams.
Explain independent work in fast-paced environments.
Share problem-solving experiences in complex projects.

Frequently Asked Questions