📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Database Reliability Engineer
Company: Credit Karma
Location: Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Category: DevOps, Infrastructure
Date Posted: June 17, 2025
Experience Level: 5-10 years
Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on improving database reliability, performance, and scale for Credit Karma's products, utilizing MySQL and GCP. The ideal candidate will have experience in database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale.
As a Senior Database Reliability Engineer, you'll be instrumental in enhancing the reliability, performance, and scale of Credit Karma's database infrastructure. You'll work on MySQL database administration, management, and engineering using industry and community standards/tools. Enhance developer velocity by leading the design and development of automation and self-service tooling. Prevent data loss using replication technologies and backups. Improve and develop the toolset for MySQL management systems. Implement and improve the distributed database architecture in both Postgres and MySQL. Improve recovery time through automation and processes. Improve deployment processes through automation. Be part of the on-call team and rotation, helping resolve critical issues as quickly as possible. Maintain an automation-centric vision and incorporate SRE methodologies to increase reliability and decrease toil. Provide support and know-how to developers for GCP persistence tools, primarily Spanner. Work with the team on all the above-listed points and delegate appropriately.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in database administration, scripting, and configuration management. The ideal candidate will have experience working in production environments at scale and be proficient in communicating technical details using English, both verbally and written.
MySQL Database Administration: Manage and engineer MySQL databases using industry and community standards/tools.
Automation & Tooling: Lead the design and development of automation and self-service tooling to enhance developer velocity.
Data Loss Prevention: Utilize replication technologies and backups to prevent data loss.
Toolset Development: Improve and develop the toolset for MySQL management systems.
Database Architecture: Implement and improve the distributed database architecture in both Postgres and MySQL.
Recovery & Deployment: Improve recovery time and deployment processes through automation and automation-centric processes.
On-Call & Support: Be part of the on-call team and rotation, helping resolve critical issues as quickly as possible. Provide support and know-how to developers for GCP persistence tools, primarily Spanner.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Experience: 5-10 years of experience in database administration, primarily using MySQL. Experience working in production environments at scale is required.

Required Skills:

Experience with database administration, primarily using MySQL. Other RDB's and key-value stores experience is also valued.
Experience working in production environments at scale and wanting to improve availability and performance.
Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, Bash, Ruby, or Perl.
Experience with a configuration management system like Puppet, Chef, or Salt (we use Salt).
Proficient in communicating technical details using English, both verbally and written.
Experience working in a team environment and collaborating with engineers, stakeholders, and developers.
Experience with GCP and/or AWS is preferred.
Unwavering desire to learn and explore new technologies.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with Postgres and distributed database architecture.
Familiarity with GCP persistence tools, primarily Spanner.
Experience with SRE methodologies and an automation-centric vision.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate your experience with MySQL database administration, management, and engineering.
Showcase your automation and tooling development skills, highlighting how you've improved developer velocity in previous roles.
Provide examples of how you've prevented data loss using replication technologies and backups.
Display your toolset development skills for MySQL management systems.
Illustrate your experience with distributed database architecture in both Postgres and MySQL.
Highlight your on-call and support experience, demonstrating how you've helped resolve critical issues quickly.
Showcase your experience with GCP persistence tools, primarily Spanner.

Technical Documentation:

Provide code samples and documentation demonstrating your proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, Bash, Ruby, or Perl.
Explain your approach to configuration management using tools like Puppet, Chef, or Salt.
Describe your experience with SRE methodologies and an automation-centric vision.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The base salary range for this role is $263,219 per year, plus equity and benefits. This range is based on role-based compensation, ensuring that people in the same role receive the same pay with variations for geographic location only.

Benefits:

Medical and Dental Coverage
Retirement Plan
Commuter Benefits
Wellness perks
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Baby Bonding, Cultural Observance, etc.)
Education Perks
Paid Gift Week in December

Working Hours: Full-time position with a standard workweek of 40 hours. Flexible working hours and remote work options are available.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

Industry: Credit Karma is a mission-driven company focused on championing financial progress for its more than 140 million members globally. While best known for pioneering free credit scores, Credit Karma offers a wide range of financial services, including identity monitoring, credit card applications, shopping for insurance and loans, and savings and checking accounts – all for free.
Company Size: Credit Karma has grown significantly through the years, with more than 1,700 employees across its offices in Oakland, Charlotte, Culver City, San Diego, London, Bangalore, and New York City.
Founded: Credit Karma was founded in 2007 and has since become a leading personal finance company, committed to providing its members with the financial tools and education they need to make informed decisions about their money.

Team Structure:

Credit Karma's database team consists of experienced database administrators, engineers, and reliability engineers who work collaboratively to ensure the reliability, performance, and scale of the company's database infrastructure.
The team follows an on-call rotation to provide 24/7 support and ensure that critical issues are resolved as quickly as possible.
The team works closely with developers, engineers, stakeholders, and other departments to ensure that the database infrastructure meets the needs of the business and its members.

Development Methodology:

Credit Karma follows Agile methodologies, utilizing Scrum teams to deliver products and features efficiently and effectively.
The company emphasizes continuous improvement, automation, and an automation-centric vision to increase reliability and decrease toil.
Credit Karma uses GCP for its cloud infrastructure, and the database team works closely with the DevOps and SRE teams to ensure that the database infrastructure is integrated seamlessly with the rest of the technology stack.

Company Website: Credit Karma

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring a high degree of expertise in database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale. The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of experience in the field and be able to provide mentorship and guidance to junior team members.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Database Reliability Engineer will report directly to the Manager of Database Engineering and will work closely with the database team, developers, engineers, stakeholders, and other departments.

Technical Impact: In this role, you will have a significant impact on the reliability, performance, and scale of Credit Karma's database infrastructure. Your work will directly influence the company's ability to deliver products and features to its more than 140 million members globally.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: As a Senior Database Reliability Engineer, you will have the opportunity to grow technically by working on cutting-edge technologies, improving your skills in database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale.
Leadership Growth: With your experience and expertise, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior team members and provide guidance on best practices in database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale.
Architecture Decisions: As a senior-level team member, you will be involved in making critical architecture decisions that will shape the future of Credit Karma's database infrastructure.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Credit Karma's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces designed to foster innovation and creativity. The company offers flexible work arrangements, including remote work options, to accommodate the needs of its employees.

Office Location(s): Credit Karma has offices in Oakland, CA; Charlotte, NC; Culver City, CA; San Diego, CA; London, UK; Bangalore, IN; and New York City, NY. The Senior Database Reliability Engineer role is based in Oakland, CA, but remote work options are available.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Work Environment: Credit Karma's offices are designed to encourage collaboration and teamwork, with open-plan workspaces, meeting rooms, and breakout areas.
Development Tools & Equipment: Credit Karma provides its employees with the latest development tools, multiple monitors, and testing devices to ensure they have everything they need to succeed in their roles.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Credit Karma's database team works closely with developers, engineers, stakeholders, and other departments to ensure that the database infrastructure meets the needs of the business and its members.

Work Schedule: Credit Karma offers flexible working hours and remote work options to accommodate the needs of its employees. The standard workweek is 40 hours, but employees are encouraged to manage their time effectively and work when they feel most productive.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Assessment: A technical assessment focused on database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale. This assessment may include coding or configuration challenges related to MySQL, GCP, and other relevant technologies.
System Design Discussion: A discussion focused on your approach to database architecture, scalability, and performance optimization. This discussion may include case studies or whiteboard exercises.
Team Fit Assessment: An assessment of your cultural fit with Credit Karma's values and team dynamics. This assessment may include behavioral interviews or group activities.
Final Evaluation: A final evaluation of your technical skills, cultural fit, and alignment with Credit Karma's mission and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience with MySQL database administration, management, and engineering.
Showcase your automation and tooling development skills, emphasizing how you've improved developer velocity in previous roles.
Provide examples of how you've prevented data loss using replication technologies and backups.
Display your toolset development skills for MySQL management systems.
Illustrate your experience with distributed database architecture in both Postgres and MySQL.
Highlight your on-call and support experience, demonstrating how you've helped resolve critical issues quickly.
Showcase your experience with GCP persistence tools, primarily Spanner.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your MySQL database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale skills.
Familiarize yourself with GCP and other relevant technologies, such as Spanner, Terraform, and Google Cloud Platform.
Practice your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss your approach to database architecture, scalability, and performance optimization.
Prepare for behavioral interviews or group activities by reflecting on your past experiences and how they've shaped your approach to teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving.

ATS Keywords:

Programming Languages: MySQL, Python, Bash, Ruby, Perl, SQL
Web Frameworks: GCP, Spanner, Terraform, Google Cloud Platform
Server Technologies: MySQL, Postgres, GCP
Databases: MySQL, Postgres, GCP
Tools: Puppet, Chef, Salt, GCP Console, Cloud Shell, Terraform, Spanner
Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, SRE, Automation, Configuration Management
Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Collaboration, Problem-Solving, Leadership, Mentoring
Industry Terms: Database Administration, Database Management, Database Engineering, Database Reliability, Database Architecture, Database Performance, Database Scalability, Database Automation, Database Replication, Data Loss Prevention, Backup, Recovery, Deployment, On-Call, Support, GCP, Spanner, Terraform, Google Cloud Platform

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: N/A (This role is focused on database administration and infrastructure)

Backend & Server Technologies:

MySQL: The primary database management system used by Credit Karma. The ideal candidate will have experience with MySQL database administration, management, and engineering.
Postgres: Credit Karma uses Postgres as part of its distributed database architecture. The ideal candidate will have experience with Postgres and distributed database architecture.
GCP: Credit Karma uses GCP for its cloud infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have experience with GCP and other relevant technologies, such as Spanner, Terraform, and Google Cloud Platform.

Development & DevOps Tools:

Python: Credit Karma uses Python for automation, scripting, and tool development. The ideal candidate will have proficiency in Python or other scripting languages such as Bash, Ruby, or Perl.
Bash: Credit Karma uses Bash for scripting and automation. The ideal candidate will have proficiency in Bash or other scripting languages such as Python, Ruby, or Perl.
Terraform: Credit Karma uses Terraform for infrastructure as code and automated deployment. The ideal candidate will have experience with Terraform or other infrastructure as code tools.
Spanner: Credit Karma uses Spanner for its persistence tools. The ideal candidate will have experience with Spanner or other GCP persistence tools.
GCP Console & Cloud Shell: Credit Karma uses GCP Console and Cloud Shell for cloud infrastructure management. The ideal candidate will have experience with GCP Console, Cloud Shell, or other cloud infrastructure management tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Mission-Driven: Credit Karma is focused on championing financial progress for its more than 140 million members globally. The ideal candidate will be passionate about Credit Karma's mission and committed to helping its members achieve their financial goals.
Innovative: Credit Karma is committed to continuous improvement, automation, and an automation-centric vision. The ideal candidate will be eager to learn, explore new technologies, and drive innovation in database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale.
Collaborative: Credit Karma values teamwork, collaboration, and cross-functional integration. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, team player, and effective collaborator with developers, engineers, stakeholders, and other departments.
Customer-Focused: Credit Karma is committed to providing its members with the best possible experience. The ideal candidate will be focused on understanding the needs of Credit Karma's members and working to improve the reliability, performance, and scale of the company's database infrastructure.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Credit Karma's database team works closely with developers, engineers, stakeholders, and other departments to ensure that the database infrastructure meets the needs of the business and its members.
Code Review Culture: Credit Karma emphasizes code review and peer programming practices to ensure the quality and reliability of its database infrastructure.
Knowledge Sharing: Credit Karma encourages knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning to help its employees grow both personally and professionally.

🌐 Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Database Administration: Improving the reliability, performance, and scale of Credit Karma's database infrastructure using MySQL and GCP.
Automation & Tooling: Developing automation and self-service tooling to enhance developer velocity and improve the efficiency of database administration tasks.
Data Loss Prevention: Implementing and improving replication technologies and backups to prevent data loss and ensure the availability of Credit Karma's database infrastructure.
Database Architecture: Designing and implementing a distributed database architecture in both Postgres and MySQL to improve scalability, performance, and availability.
Recovery & Deployment: Improving recovery time and deployment processes through automation and automation-centric processes to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: As a Senior Database Reliability Engineer, you will have the opportunity to grow technically by working on cutting-edge technologies, improving your skills in database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale.
Leadership Development: With your experience and expertise, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior team members and provide guidance on best practices in database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale.
Architecture Decisions: As a senior-level team member, you will be involved in making critical architecture decisions that will shape the future of Credit Karma's database infrastructure.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Database Administration: Questions focused on your experience with MySQL database administration, management, and engineering. These questions may include scenarios related to database performance, scalability, and optimization.
Automation & Tooling: Questions focused on your experience with automation and tooling development. These questions may include scenarios related to enhancing developer velocity, improving database administration efficiency, and automating repetitive tasks.
Data Loss Prevention: Questions focused on your experience with replication technologies and backups. These questions may include scenarios related to data loss prevention, recovery, and business continuity.
Database Architecture: Questions focused on your experience with distributed database architecture in both Postgres and MySQL. These questions may include scenarios related to database scalability, performance, and availability.
Recovery & Deployment: Questions focused on your experience with recovery time and deployment processes. These questions may include scenarios related to minimizing downtime, maximizing efficiency, and ensuring business continuity.

Company & Culture Questions:

Team Fit: Questions focused on your cultural fit with Credit Karma's values and team dynamics. These questions may include behavioral interviews or group activities designed to assess your collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Mission & Values: Questions focused on your understanding of Credit Karma's mission and values. These questions may include scenarios related to how you've demonstrated your commitment to Credit Karma's mission and values in previous roles.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Database Administration: Highlight your experience with MySQL database administration, management, and engineering. Showcase your automation and tooling development skills, emphasizing how you've improved developer velocity in previous roles.
Data Loss Prevention: Provide examples of how you've prevented data loss using replication technologies and backups. Display your toolset development skills for MySQL management systems.
Database Architecture: Illustrate your experience with distributed database architecture in both Postgres and MySQL. Highlight your on-call and support experience, demonstrating how you've helped resolve critical issues quickly.
GCP Persistence Tools: Showcase your experience with GCP persistence tools, primarily Spanner. Explain how you've used these tools to improve the reliability, performance, and scale of Credit Karma's database infrastructure.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Database Reliability Engineer position at Credit Karma:

Customize Your Portfolio: Highlight your experience with MySQL database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale. Showcase your automation and tooling development skills, emphasizing how you've improved developer velocity in previous roles. Provide examples of how you've prevented data loss using replication technologies and backups. Display your toolset development skills for MySQL management systems. Illustrate your experience with distributed database architecture in both Postgres and MySQL. Highlight your on-call and support experience, demonstrating how you've helped resolve critical issues quickly. Showcase your experience with GCP persistence tools, primarily Spanner.
Optimize Your Resume: Emphasize your experience with MySQL database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale. Highlight your proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, Bash, Ruby, or Perl. Showcase your experience with configuration management systems like Puppet, Chef, or Salt. Demonstrate your strong communication skills and teamwork abilities. Include relevant keywords and phrases to help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems.
Prepare for Technical Interviews: Brush up on your MySQL database administration, automation, and working in production environments at scale skills. Familiarize yourself with GCP and other relevant technologies, such as Spanner, Terraform, and Google Cloud Platform. Practice your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss your approach to database architecture, scalability, and performance optimization. Prepare for behavioral interviews or group activities by reflecting on your past experiences and how they've shaped your approach to teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Research Credit Karma: Learn about Credit Karma's mission, values, and culture. Understand how the company is committed to championing financial progress for its more than 140 million members globally. Familiarize yourself with Credit Karma's products and services, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the company's success in your role as a Senior Database Reliability Engineer.

⚠️ 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.

Senior Database Reliability Engineer