📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database
Company: Westpac
Location: Westpac on Takutai Square, Auckland, New Zealand
Job Type: Full-Time
Category: Infrastructure Engineer
Date Posted: June 18, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

Lead the development and maintenance of database infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and security.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement database solutions that support business goals.
Stay updated with emerging database technologies and best practices, driving innovation within the team.
Mentor junior team members, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in database management and infrastructure engineering, with a proven track record of driving performance and security improvements in complex environments.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Database Infrastructure Management: Design, implement, and maintain database infrastructure, ensuring high availability, scalability, and fault tolerance.
Performance Tuning: Identify and address performance bottlenecks, optimizing database queries and indexes to improve overall system performance.
Security and Compliance: Implement and maintain database security measures, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with development teams, data analysts, and other stakeholders to understand data requirements and provide appropriate database solutions.
Mentoring and Knowledge Sharing: Share expertise with junior team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on performance optimization, security, and collaboration, with a proven ability to deliver complex database solutions in a team environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., Oracle Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator) are a plus.

Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) in database management and infrastructure engineering, with a strong background in performance tuning, security, and high availability.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in SQL and one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, PL/SQL).
Extensive knowledge of database systems (e.g., Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or AWS RDS).
Strong experience with database infrastructure management, including installation, configuration, and maintenance.
Proven ability to optimize database performance and implement security measures.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with cloud-based database services (e.g., AWS RDS, Azure SQL Database, Google Cloud SQL).
Familiarity with containerization (e.g., Docker) and orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes) technologies.
Knowledge of data modeling, ETL processes, and data warehousing.
Experience with database monitoring and management tools (e.g., Nagios, Zabbix, Prometheus).

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong technical skill set, with a focus on database management, performance optimization, and security. Relevant certifications and experience with cloud-based database services are highly desirable.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate your ability to design, implement, and maintain high-performing, secure database infrastructure.
Showcase your problem-solving skills through case studies or projects that highlight your approach to performance tuning and security.
Highlight your experience with database management tools and your ability to use them effectively to monitor and maintain database systems.

Technical Documentation:

Provide detailed documentation of your database infrastructure, including schema design, configuration settings, and any relevant scripts or code.
Include performance metrics, optimization techniques, and any relevant testing methodologies.
Demonstrate your understanding of data modeling principles and your ability to design efficient database schemas.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong portfolio that demonstrates your technical skills and your ability to deliver complex database solutions. Highlight your problem-solving skills and your understanding of database management best practices.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: NZ$120,000 - NZ$160,000 per year (based on experience and qualifications)

Benefits:

Competitive salary with 10% superannuation.
Range of market-leading employee benefits.
4 weeks standard holiday + 5 additional days of wellbeing leave.
Additional purchased leave options up to 4 weeks per year.
Banking benefits, insurance discounts, and superannuation scheme.
Growth and development opportunities, with a focus on internal mobility.
Recognition and rewards for star performers.
School holiday subsidy to help balance work and family during school holidays.
2 volunteer days per year.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range for this role is based on market research and industry standards for database infrastructure engineers in Auckland, New Zealand. The benefits package is designed to attract and retain top talent in the field.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Westpac operates in the financial services industry, providing a wide range of banking and financial services to customers in New Zealand and Australia. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the stability, security, and performance of the company's database infrastructure, supporting the delivery of these services.

Company Size: Westpac is a large organization with a significant presence in the New Zealand and Australian financial services markets. With over 160 years of history, Westpac has a well-established culture that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Founded: Westpac was founded in 1817 and has a rich history of supporting the financial needs of customers in New Zealand and Australia. The company has evolved significantly over the years, adapting to changes in the market and embracing new technologies to enhance its service offerings.

Team Structure:

The database infrastructure team is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the database infrastructure that supports Westpac's applications and services.
The team consists of database administrators, infrastructure engineers, and data analysts, working collaboratively to ensure the optimal performance and security of Westpac's database systems.
The Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database will report directly to the Database Infrastructure Manager and work closely with other teams, including application development, data analytics, and IT operations.

Development Methodology:

Westpac follows Agile development methodologies, with a focus on iterative development, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
The database infrastructure team uses a combination of Scrum and Kanban methodologies to manage its workload and ensure efficient delivery of projects.
Database infrastructure projects are typically prioritized based on business needs, with a focus on ensuring the stability, security, and performance of Westpac's database systems.

Company Website: https://www.westpac.co.nz/

📝 Enhancement Note: Westpac's culture is characterized by its commitment to collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will play a crucial role in driving these values within the database infrastructure team and across the broader organization.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is suitable for an experienced database infrastructure engineer with a proven track record in performance tuning, security, and high availability. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in database management and a deep understanding of database systems, with a focus on optimizing performance and implementing security measures.

Reporting Structure: The Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database will report directly to the Database Infrastructure Manager and work closely with other teams, including application development, data analytics, and IT operations. This role provides an opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders and drive innovation within the database infrastructure team.

Technical Impact: As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will have a significant impact on the performance, security, and stability of Westpac's database infrastructure. Your work will directly support the delivery of the company's banking and financial services, ensuring that customers have access to the information they need, when they need it.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Specialization: Westpac offers opportunities for database infrastructure engineers to specialize in specific areas, such as cloud-based database services, data warehousing, or data modeling. As you gain experience and develop your skills, you may have the opportunity to take on a more specialized role within the team.
Technical Leadership: With experience and a proven track record of delivering complex database solutions, you may have the opportunity to take on a technical leadership role within the database infrastructure team. In this role, you would be responsible for mentoring junior team members, driving innovation, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality database infrastructure projects.
Architecture Decisions: As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be involved in making architecture decisions that impact the performance, security, and stability of Westpac's database infrastructure. With experience and a deep understanding of database systems, you may have the opportunity to take on a more strategic role, driving the long-term direction of the team's architecture.

📝 Enhancement Note: Westpac offers a range of growth opportunities for database infrastructure engineers, with a focus on technical specialization, technical leadership, and architecture decision-making. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will have the opportunity to drive innovation within the team and make a significant impact on the performance, security, and stability of Westpac's database infrastructure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Westpac's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces designed to foster innovation and creativity. The database infrastructure team is based in Westpac on Takutai Square, Auckland, with additional offices located in other major cities across New Zealand and Australia.

Office Location(s): Westpac on Takutai Square, Auckland, New Zealand.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Workspace: The database infrastructure team works in an open-plan office, with dedicated spaces for team meetings, workshops, and one-on-one discussions.
Development Tools: Westpac provides its database infrastructure engineers with access to a range of development tools, including database management software, SQL development environments, and performance monitoring tools.
Multiple Monitors and Testing Devices: Database infrastructure engineers are provided with multiple monitors to support their work, along with access to testing environments and staging servers.

Work Schedule: Westpac offers flexible working arrangements, with a focus on work-life balance. The standard working week is 40 hours, with the option to work from home or in the office, depending on your role and team requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Westpac's work environment is designed to support collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will have access to modern development tools, dedicated workspace, and flexible working arrangements to support your success in the role.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Assessment: Complete a technical assessment, focusing on your knowledge of database management, performance tuning, and security. This assessment may include a combination of multiple-choice questions, scenario-based questions, and coding challenges.
Behavioral Interview: Participate in a behavioral interview, focusing on your problem-solving skills, communication, and collaboration abilities. This interview will also provide an opportunity to discuss your career goals and motivations for applying to the role.
Technical Deep Dive: Engage in a technical deep dive, focusing on your understanding of database infrastructure, architecture, and best practices. This conversation will provide an opportunity to discuss your approach to performance optimization, security, and high availability.
Final Interview: Participate in a final interview with the Database Infrastructure Manager, focusing on your cultural fit, career aspirations, and alignment with Westpac's values and goals.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Case Studies: Prepare detailed case studies that highlight your approach to database infrastructure management, performance tuning, and security. Include data-driven insights and measurable results to demonstrate the impact of your work.
Technical Documentation: Provide comprehensive technical documentation for your portfolio projects, including schema design, configuration settings, and any relevant scripts or code. Ensure that your documentation is well-organized, easy to navigate, and demonstrates your attention to detail.
Performance Metrics: Include performance metrics and optimization techniques in your portfolio, demonstrating your ability to identify and address performance bottlenecks in complex database systems.
Westpac-Specific Considerations: Familiarize yourself with Westpac's database infrastructure and consider how your skills and experience align with the company's needs. Highlight any relevant experience working with Westpac's technology stack or industry-specific challenges.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Database Management: Brush up on your knowledge of database management, including installation, configuration, and maintenance. Familiarize yourself with Westpac's database infrastructure and consider how your skills and experience align with the company's needs.
Performance Tuning: Review your approach to performance tuning, including query optimization, indexing, and caching. Practice identifying and addressing performance bottlenecks in complex database systems.
Security: Refresh your knowledge of database security best practices, including access control, encryption, and backup and recovery procedures. Consider how your security expertise aligns with Westpac's needs and industry-specific challenges.
Communication: Prepare for the behavioral interview by reflecting on your problem-solving skills, communication, and collaboration abilities. Practice articulating your technical approach and explaining complex concepts in a clear and concise manner.

ATS Keywords: [Comprehensive list of database infrastructure, management, and security-relevant keywords for resume optimization, organized by category: database systems, performance tuning, security, high availability, and soft skills]

📝 Enhancement Note: Westpac's interview process is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. By preparing thoroughly and tailoring your portfolio and interview responses to Westpac's needs, you will increase your chances of success in the application process.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Database Systems:

Oracle Database
Microsoft SQL Server
MySQL
PostgreSQL
AWS RDS (Amazon Aurora, Amazon Redshift, Amazon DynamoDB)
Google Cloud SQL (Cloud Spanner, Cloud Bigtable, Cloud Firestore)
Azure SQL Database (Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB)

Performance Tuning Tools:

SQL Profiler
Oracle Trace
MySQL Performance Schema
PostgreSQL EXPLAIN ANALYZE
Database Performance Monitor (DPM)
SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA)
Quest Software's Toad for Oracle and Toad for SQL Server

Security Tools:

Database Activity Monitoring (DAM) tools (e.g., Oracle Audit, SQL Server Audit, MySQL Audit)
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
Encryption tools (e.g., Transparent Data Encryption, Always Encrypted, Field-Level Encryption)
Identity and Access Management (IAM) tools (e.g., Active Directory, LDAP, OAuth, OpenID Connect)

Infrastructure Tools:

Virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V, KVM)
Containerization platforms (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
Cloud-based infrastructure services (e.g., AWS EC2, Google Cloud Compute Engine, Azure Virtual Machines)
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager)
Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef)

📝 Enhancement Note: Westpac's technology stack includes a range of database systems, performance tuning tools, security tools, and infrastructure tools. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to have a strong working knowledge of these tools and the ability to apply them effectively to manage Westpac's database infrastructure.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Collaboration: Westpac values collaboration and fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to work closely with other teams, including application development, data analytics, and IT operations, to ensure the delivery of high-quality database infrastructure projects.
Innovation: Westpac encourages innovation and embraces new technologies to enhance its service offerings. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to stay updated with emerging database technologies and best practices, driving innovation within the team.
Customer Focus: Westpac is committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and ensuring that customers have access to the information they need, when they need it. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the stability, security, and performance of Westpac's database infrastructure, supporting the delivery of these customer experiences.
Integrity: Westpac values integrity and expects its employees to act with honesty, transparency, and accountability. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to uphold these values in your work and contribute to a culture of ethical decision-making and responsible behavior.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: The database infrastructure team works closely with other teams, including application development, data analytics, and IT operations, to ensure the delivery of high-quality database infrastructure projects. This collaborative approach enables the team to leverage the expertise of other teams and ensure that database infrastructure projects align with business needs and technical requirements.
Code Review Culture: Westpac fosters a code review culture, with a focus on ensuring the quality, security, and performance of database infrastructure projects. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to participate in code reviews and provide constructive feedback to your colleagues.
Knowledge Sharing: Westpac encourages knowledge sharing and fosters a culture of continuous learning. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to share your expertise with junior team members and contribute to a culture of technical development and growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: Westpac's culture is characterized by its commitment to collaboration, innovation, customer focus, and integrity. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to embody these values and contribute to a culture of technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Performance Optimization: Westpac's database infrastructure supports a wide range of applications and services, with varying performance requirements. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to identify and address performance bottlenecks, optimizing database queries and indexes to improve overall system performance.
Security and Compliance: Westpac's database infrastructure must comply with relevant standards and regulations, including the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to implement and maintain database security measures, ensuring compliance with these standards and regulations.
High Availability and Disaster Recovery: Westpac's database infrastructure must be highly available and resilient, with minimal downtime and rapid recovery in the event of a disaster. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to design and implement database infrastructure solutions that ensure high availability and disaster recovery capabilities.
Emerging Technologies: Westpac embraces new technologies to enhance its service offerings and drive innovation within the team. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be expected to stay updated with emerging database technologies and best practices, driving innovation within the team and ensuring that Westpac's database infrastructure remains at the forefront of the industry.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: Westpac offers opportunities for database infrastructure engineers to develop their technical skills and specialize in specific areas, such as cloud-based database services, data warehousing, or data modeling. As you gain experience and develop your skills, you may have the opportunity to take on a more specialized role within the team.
Conference Attendance and Certification: Westpac supports its employees' professional development by providing opportunities to attend industry conferences, obtain relevant certifications, and engage with the broader database infrastructure community. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will be encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge.
Technical Mentorship and Leadership Development: Westpac fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning, with a focus on mentoring junior team members and developing technical leadership skills. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior team members, contribute to a culture of technical development and growth, and develop your own leadership skills through hands-on experience and targeted training.

📝 Enhancement Note: Westpac offers a range of technical challenges and growth opportunities for database infrastructure engineers, with a focus on performance optimization, security, high availability, and emerging technologies. As a Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database, you will have the opportunity to drive innovation within the team, enhance your technical skills, and contribute to a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Database Management: Describe your experience with database management, including installation, configuration, and maintenance. Discuss your approach to performance tuning, security, and high availability, and provide examples of your work in these areas.
Performance Tuning: Walk through your approach to performance tuning, including query optimization, indexing, and caching. Provide examples of your work in this area and discuss the impact of your efforts on database performance.
Security: Explain your understanding of database security best practices, including access control, encryption, and backup and recovery procedures. Discuss your approach to implementing and maintaining database security measures, and provide examples of your work in this area.
Problem-Solving: Describe your problem-solving skills and provide examples of your ability to identify and address complex technical challenges. Discuss your approach to collaboration and communication, and provide examples of your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Company & Culture Questions:

Westpac's Database Infrastructure: Familiarize yourself with Westpac's database infrastructure and consider how your skills and experience align with the company's needs. Discuss your understanding of Westpac's technology stack and industry-specific challenges, and provide examples of your ability to contribute to the team's success.
Westpac's Development Methodology: Research Westpac's development methodologies and consider how your experience aligns with the company's approach to Agile development, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Discuss your understanding of Westpac's development processes and provide examples of your ability to contribute to the team's success.
Westpac's Customer Focus: Westpac is committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and ensuring that customers have access to the information they need, when they need it. Discuss your understanding of Westpac's customer focus and provide examples of your ability to contribute to the delivery of high-quality database infrastructure projects that support these customer experiences.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Live Website Demonstration: Prepare a live website demonstration that showcases your technical skills and your ability to deliver complex database solutions. Include data-driven insights and measurable results to demonstrate the impact of your work.
Code Explanation Techniques: Develop clear and concise explanations of your code, highlighting your approach to performance optimization, security, and high availability. Use visual aids and analogies to help your audience understand complex technical concepts.
User Experience Showcase: Include examples of your work that demonstrate your understanding of user experience design and your ability to deliver database infrastructure solutions that support exceptional customer experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Westpac's interview process is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. By preparing thoroughly and tailoring your portfolio and interview responses to Westpac's needs, you will increase your chances of success in the application process.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database position at Westpac, follow these steps:

Update Your Portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your technical skills and your ability to deliver complex database solutions. Include data-driven insights and measurable results to demonstrate the impact of your work.
Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your relevant experience and skills in database management, performance tuning, and security. Use relevant keywords and phrases to optimize your resume for Westpac's Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
Prepare for Technical Challenges: Brush up on your knowledge of database management, performance tuning, and security. Practice identifying and addressing performance bottlenecks in complex database systems, and review your approach to collaboration and communication.
Research Westpac: Familiarize yourself with Westpac's database infrastructure, technology stack, and industry-specific challenges. Consider how your skills and experience align with the company's needs, and prepare examples of your ability to contribute to the team's success.
Apply: Submit your application through the application link, including your resume and portfolio. Follow the instructions provided in the job listing and any additional application requirements.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Database