Engineering Manager, Database Reliability, Scalability

Engineering Manager, Database Reliability, Scalability & Operations Join to apply for the Engineering Manager, Database Reliability, Scalability & Operations role at GitLab GitLab is an open‑core software company that develops the most comprehensive AI‑powered DevSecOps Platform, used by more than 100,000 organizations. Our mission is to enable everyone to contribute to and co‑create the software that powers our world. When everyone can contribute, consumers become contributors, significantly accelerating human progress. Our platform unites teams and organizations, breaking down barriers and redefining what’s possible in software development. The same principles built into our products are reflected in how our team works: we embrace AI as a core productivity multiplier, and all team members are expected to incorporate AI into their daily workflows to drive efficiency, innovation, and impact. GitLab is where careers accelerate, innovation flourishes, and every voice is valued. Our high‑performance culture is driven by our values and continuous knowledge exchange, enabling our team members to reach their full potential while collaborating with industry leaders to solve complex problems. Overview of This Role As an Engineering Manager for our Database Reliability, Scale & Operations team, you will be responsible for building and leading a world‑class team that drives GitLab’s database strategy and operations. You’ll be a strategic thinker with strong opinions on database architecture, data store selection, and cost optimization, while maintaining the ability to collaborate cross‑functionally and make decisions in the best interest of the company and team. Your role combines technical leadership with people management, requiring you to set objective goals, enforce healthy database practices, and act as a force multiplier for your team. You’ll serve as the escalation point for the team’s Tier‑2 on‑call process to ensure GitLab.com meets availability goals. The team works extensively with PostgreSQL on projects including horizontal and vertical scaling initiatives, compliance frameworks, performance optimization, capacity management, and availability improvements. What You’ll Do Build and lead the database reliability team, ensuring availability, security, scalability, and operational excellence for GitLab.com Define database strategy including data store selection for different use cases and cost optimization decisions Exercise cross‑functional influence to drive database decisions that balance technical excellence with business needs Hire, coach, and retain exceptional engineering talent while creating an environment where the team thrives Set clear objectives, enforce healthy database practices, and act as a force multiplier for the team Build partnerships with Platform/Infrastructure, and Engineering teams while influencing and advocating for healthy database practices across the organization Lead agile projects while working asynchronously across distributed teams Translate complex technical issues into clear business language for stakeholders Maintain an environment where team members can thrive and the team produces results What You’ll Bring Excellent cross‑functional collaboration skills with ability to influence without authority Track record of hiring, coaching, and growing top engineering talent Proven experience leading engineering teams at scale A track record of helping teams transition from reactive to proactive Strong opinions on database strategy, data store selection, and understanding of cost implications with big‑picture thinking Deep technical expertise with PostgreSQL, distributed systems, and databases at scale on large consumer platforms Ability to set measurable objectives, establish best practices, and hold teams accountable while remaining open to feedback About The Team The Database Reliability team at GitLab’s mission is to Build, Run, and Own the entire lifecycle of the PostgreSQL database engine for GitLab.com. The team is focused on owning the reliability, scalability, performance & security of the database engine and its supporting services. This team is responsible for building thoughtful patterns for how the company will grow and scale its database infrastructure, for both ourselves and our customers. The team uses engineering principles to guide the decisions it makes for its services. The team contributes the lessons we learn running the database engine for GitLab at scale in production back to the Product, Development & Support teams to improve overall customer experience with GitLab, as well as collaborating with the Support teams when Self‑Managed customers encounter complex database engine issues. The base salary range for this role’s listed level is currently for residents of the United States only. This range is intended to reflect the role’s base salary rate in locations throughout the US. Grade level and salary ranges are determined through interviews and a review of education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities of the applicant, equity with other team members, alignment with market data, and geographic location. The base salary range does not include any bonuses, equity, or benefits. See more information on our benefits and equity. Sales roles are also eligible for incentive pay targeted at up to 100% of the offered base salary. United States Salary Range: $131,600—$282,000 USD How GitLab Will Support You Benefits to support your health, finances, and well‑being Flexible Paid Time Off Team Member Resource Groups Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan Growth and Development Fund Parental leave Home office support We welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you’re excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application. Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level Employment Type Full‑time Job Function Engineering and Information Technology Industries IT Services IT Consulting Software Development GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process. Please review our Recruitment Privacy Policy. 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