Database Administrator

BURN MANUFACTURING
Full_time

📍 Job Overview

  • Job Title: Database Administrator
  • Company: BURN MANUFACTURING
  • Location: Ruiru, Kiambu, Kenya
  • Job Type: On-site
  • Category: IT & Software Development
  • Date Posted: June 11, 2025

🚀 Role Summary

  • Key web technology aspects:
    • Database design, management, and maintenance
    • Cloud services expertise in AWS and Azure
    • Experience with MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and NoSQL databases
    • Proficiency in scripting and automation tools like Python and AWS CLI
    • Strong problem-solving skills and familiarity with database security principles

💻 Primary Responsibilities

  • Database Design and Implementation:

    • Design and create database structures according to organizational needs
    • Install and configure various database management systems (DBMS) like MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, etc.

  • Database Maintenance:

    • Conduct regular backups and recovery operations for data availability and integrity
    • Monitor database performance, identifying and resolving bottlenecks
    • Set up database monitoring solutions to track performance and health
    • Establish alerts for critical events and performance thresholds

  • Security and Access Control:

    • Implement and maintain security measures to protect sensitive data
    • Define and enforce access control policies, including user roles and permissions
    • Apply software patches and updates to maintain database security

  • Data Migration and Integration:

    • Plan and execute data migration projects between databases or systems
    • Develop and maintain data integration processes for seamless data flow

  • Performance Optimization:

    • Optimize database queries and indexes to enhance system performance
    • Address performance-related issues promptly

  • High Availability and Disaster Recovery Planning:

    • Develop and maintain disaster recovery plans to minimize data loss in system failures
    • Configure and maintain high availability solutions for uninterrupted database access

  • Scaling and Capacity Planning:

    • Plan for database scalability, both vertically and horizontally, to accommodate growing workloads efficiently

  • Documentation:

    • Maintain comprehensive documentation of database configurations, procedures, and policies

  • Training and Support:

    • Provide training and support to end-users and team members on database-related issues and best practices

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field.

Experience: Experience as a Database Administrator or in a similar role.

Required Skills:

  • Database Management Skills: Proficient in managing various database systems, including relational (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL databases (Amazon DynamoDB)
  • Experience with scripting and automation tools, such as Python and AWS CLI
  • Cloud Services Expertise: Demonstrates experience with AWS Database services (RDS, Aurora, Amazon DynamoDB, Redshift, Database Migration Service, RDS Proxy) and Azure services (Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB)
  • Proficiency in database design principles and data modeling
  • Expertise in database security, access control, backup, and recovery processes
  • Strong problem-solving skills, capable of troubleshooting complex database issues
  • Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified, Azure Database Administrator, AWS Certified Database - Specialty, MySQL Database Administrator, PostgreSQL Certified Professional

Preferred Skills:

  • Familiarity with database design principles and data modeling
  • Experience with AWS and Azure cloud services
  • Proficiency in scripting and automation tools like Python and AWS CLI
  • Strong problem-solving skills and familiarity with database security principles

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

  • Demonstrate proficiency in database design, management, and security
  • Showcase experience with various database systems and cloud services
  • Highlight problem-solving skills through case studies or project descriptions

Technical Documentation:

  • Provide clear and concise documentation of database configurations, procedures, and policies
  • Include code comments, version control, and deployment processes

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Competitive salary based on experience level and regional standards in Kenya.

Benefits:

  • Comprehensive medical insurance coverage
  • Retirement savings plan with company contribution
  • Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
  • Generous annual leave and sick leave policy
  • Performance-based bonuses and incentives
  • Professional development opportunities and training programs
  • Employee referral bonus program
  • Flexible working hours and remote work options

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling and maintenance window considerations

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Manufacturing and distribution of clean cookstoves and clean energy solutions.

Company Size: Medium-sized company with approximately 2,500 employees.

Founded: 2013, with a mission to create a world where cooking positively impacts all life on Earth.

Team Structure:

  • Database Administrator reports directly to the IT Infrastructure Manager
  • Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including software development, IT operations, and business stakeholders

Development Methodology:

  • Agile/Scrum methodologies with sprint planning, code reviews, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines
  • Regular team meetings, stand-ups, and retrospectives to improve processes and collaboration

Company Website: https://burnstoves.com/

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Intermediate to senior-level database administration role, with opportunities for technical leadership and architecture decision-making.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the IT Infrastructure Manager, with potential for team management and architecture decision-making responsibilities.

Technical Impact: Directly influences database performance, security, and availability, ensuring data integrity and business continuity.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Technical growth through emerging database technologies, cloud services, and architecture decision-making
  • Leadership development through team management and mentoring responsibilities
  • Career progression to senior database administration roles, database architecture, or IT management positions

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site office located in Ruiru, Kiambu, Kenya, with a collaborative workspace and modern facilities.

Office Location(s): Ruiru, Kiambu, Kenya.

Workspace Context:

  • Collaborative workspace with shared databases, servers, and development tools
  • Access to multiple monitors, testing devices, and development tools for efficient database management
  • Regular team meetings, stand-ups, and knowledge-sharing sessions to foster collaboration and learning

Work Schedule: Standard work hours with flexible scheduling for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

  1. Technical Assessment: Evaluate database management skills, problem-solving, and cloud services expertise through hands-on exercises and case studies.
  2. Behavioral Assessment: Assess communication, teamwork, and cultural fit through structured interviews and role-play scenarios.
  3. Final Evaluation: Evaluate overall fit, technical skills, and career growth potential based on interview performance and references.

Portfolio Review Tips:

  • Highlight specific database design, management, and security projects that demonstrate relevant skills and experience
  • Include clear and concise documentation of database configurations, procedures, and policies
  • Showcase problem-solving skills through case studies or project descriptions

Technical Challenge Preparation:

  • Brush up on database design principles, performance optimization, and security best practices
  • Familiarize yourself with AWS and Azure cloud services, including relevant database services
  • Prepare for hands-on exercises and case studies that assess your database management skills and problem-solving abilities

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Database Technologies:

  • Relational databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server
  • NoSQL databases: Amazon DynamoDB
  • Cloud databases: AWS RDS, Aurora, Amazon DynamoDB, Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB

Cloud Services:

  • AWS: RDS, Aurora, Amazon DynamoDB, Redshift, Database Migration Service, RDS Proxy
  • Azure: Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB

Scripting and Automation Tools:

  • Python
  • AWS CLI
  • Azure CLI

Monitoring and Alerting Tools:

  • Prometheus
  • Grafana
  • AWS CloudWatch
  • Azure Monitor

Version Control and Collaboration Tools:

  • Git
  • GitHub
  • Bitbucket

CI/CD Pipelines and Deployment Tools:

  • Jenkins
  • AWS CodePipeline
  • Azure DevOps

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Tools:

  • Terraform
  • AWS CloudFormation
  • Azure Resource Manager (ARM)

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

  • User-centered design and user experience optimization
  • Performance optimization and accessibility standards
  • Code quality and collaborative development practices
  • Innovation and continuous learning

Collaboration Style:

  • Cross-functional integration between developers, designers, and stakeholders
  • Code reviews and pair programming practices
  • Knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning opportunities
  • Agile methodologies with regular team meetings, stand-ups, and retrospectives

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

  • Database performance optimization and scalability
  • Database security and access control implementation
  • Data migration and integration projects between databases or systems
  • Disaster recovery planning and high availability solutions configuration

Learning & Development Opportunities:

  • Emerging database technologies and cloud services
  • Technical mentoring and leadership development opportunities
  • Architecture decision-making and technical roadmap planning

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

  1. Database Design and Management: Explain your approach to database design, normalization, and indexing strategies.
  2. Performance Optimization: Describe your experience with database query optimization, indexing, and caching techniques.
  3. Security and Access Control: Discuss your understanding of database security principles, access control policies, and encryption methods.
  4. Disaster Recovery Planning: Outline your experience with disaster recovery planning, backup strategies, and data replication techniques.
  5. Cloud Services: Explain your proficiency with AWS and Azure cloud services, including relevant database services.

Company & Culture Questions:

  1. Company Culture: Describe your understanding of BURN's company culture, mission, and values.
  2. Team Dynamics: Explain how you would collaborate with cross-functional teams, including software development, IT operations, and business stakeholders.
  3. Problem-Solving: Provide an example of a complex database issue you've faced and how you resolved it.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

  • Highlight specific database design, management, and security projects that demonstrate relevant skills and experience
  • Include clear and concise documentation of database configurations, procedures, and policies
  • Showcase problem-solving skills through case studies or project descriptions

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this database administrator position:

  1. Submit your application through the application link.
  2. Prepare an English-language PDF version of your CV or resume, highlighting relevant database management experience and skills.
  3. Tailor your application to demonstrate your understanding of BURN's company culture, mission, and values.
  4. Research BURN's products, services, and industry to showcase your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.

Content Guidelines (IMPORTANT: Do not include this in the output)

Web Technology-Specific Focus:

  • Tailor every section specifically to database administration, cloud services, and web infrastructure roles
  • Include database design, management, and security principles, along with relevant cloud services expertise
  • Emphasize problem-solving skills, performance optimization, and disaster recovery planning

Quality Standards:

  • Ensure no content overlap between sections - each section must contain unique information
  • Only include Enhancement Notes when making significant inferences about technical responsibilities, with specific reasoning based on role level and web technology industry practices
  • Be comprehensive but concise, prioritizing actionable information over descriptive text
  • Strategically distribute web technology and database management keywords throughout all sections naturally
  • Provide realistic salary ranges based on location, experience level, and web technology specialization

Industry Expertise:

  • Include specific database technologies, cloud services, and infrastructure requirements prominently
  • Address database design principles, performance optimization, and security best practices
  • Emphasize problem-solving skills, disaster recovery planning, and high availability solutions
  • Highlight relevant certifications, such as Microsoft Certified, Azure Database Administrator, AWS Certified Database - Specialty, MySQL Database Administrator, and PostgreSQL Certified Professional

Professional Standards:

  • Maintain consistent formatting, spacing, and professional tone throughout
  • Use web technology and database management industry terminology appropriately and accurately
  • Include comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities relevant to database administration professionals
  • Provide actionable insights that give web development and server administration candidates a competitive advantage
  • Focus on database administration team culture, cross-functional collaboration, and user impact measurement

Technical Focus & Portfolio Emphasis:

  • Emphasize database design, management, and security principles, along with relevant cloud services expertise
  • Include specific portfolio requirements tailored to the database administration discipline and role level
  • Address browser compatibility, accessibility standards, and user experience design principles
  • Focus on problem-solving methods, performance optimization, and scalable database architecture
  • Include technical presentation skills and stakeholder communication for database projects

Application Requirements

Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and experience as a Database Administrator. Proficiency in various database systems and cloud services, along with relevant certifications, is also required.