Senior Distributed Database Engineer – Remote (US) – NewSQL, Kubernetes, Cloud Infrastructure at arenaflex

About arenaflex – Pioneering the Future of Distributed Data

arenaflex is a global leader in innovative web‑based platforms, delivering seamless experiences to millions of users worldwide. Our mission is to build resilient, high‑performance data systems that power the next generation of online services. As a remote‑first organization, we empower our engineers to work from anywhere in the United States while fostering a collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity, craftsmanship, and continuous learning.

Why This Role Matters

At arenaflex, the Value‑Based Capacity Administration team sits at the heart of our data ecosystem. This team designs, builds, and operates a cutting‑edge NewSQL database platform that runs on stateful Kubernetes clusters, integrates with AWS services, and supports critical user, transaction, and financial data. The platform serves as the backbone for key services such as KVStore, GraphDB, and many other high‑throughput data stores. Reliability, scalability, performance, security, and observability are non‑negotiable, and you will be the technical authority guiding our engineers in leveraging these technologies at massive scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Database Infrastructure Design & Maintenance: Architect and maintain the NewSQL database ecosystem, including schema design, replication, CDC, and multi‑tenant capabilities.
• Kubernetes & Cloud Integration: Serve as the go‑to expert for stateful workloads on Kubernetes, interfacing with AWS (or GCP/Azure) storage, VM, and security APIs such as Route 53, EBS, and IAM.
• Automation & Operational Excellence: Build, automate, and document database operational processes, including provisioning, backup, restore, and disaster‑recovery workflows.
• Performance & Scalability Optimization: Conduct deep performance analysis, identify bottlenecks, and implement enhancements to ensure low latency and high throughput under heavy load.
• Open‑Source Collaboration: Evaluate, contribute to, and extend open‑source projects that form the foundation of our data platform, ensuring code quality, documentation, and community engagement.
• Incident Response & Post‑Mortem Leadership: Lead root‑cause analysis for critical incidents, drive remediation plans, and share learnings across the organization.
• Mentorship & Technical Leadership: Coach junior engineers, conduct design and code reviews, and champion best practices in distributed systems engineering.
• Strategic Roadmap Influence: Partner with product, security, and reliability teams to shape the long‑term roadmap for data infrastructure, aligning technical decisions with business goals.

Essential Qualifications

• 9+ years of hands‑on experience designing, building, and operating large‑scale distributed databases (NoSQL or NewSQL).
• Deep expertise with stateful Kubernetes deployments, including custom controllers, operators, and storage classes.
• Proven track record working with major cloud providers (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and their storage, networking, and security services.
• Strong understanding of database fundamentals: ACID/BASE properties, replication protocols, consensus algorithms, and consistency models.
• Demonstrated ability to write clean, maintainable, and testable code in languages such as Go, Java, or C++.
• Experience troubleshooting complex, high‑traffic systems, performing root‑cause analysis, and implementing robust fixes.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, especially in a remote‑first environment.

Preferred Qualifications & Additional Skills

• Experience contributing to open‑source database projects (e.g., CockroachDB, TiDB, Vitess).
• Familiarity with observability stacks (Prometheus, Grafana, OpenTelemetry) and automated alerting pipelines.
• Knowledge of security best practices for data at rest and in transit, including encryption, IAM policies, and network segmentation.
• Background in building CI/CD pipelines for database schema migrations and automated testing.
• Passion for mentoring and developing engineering talent across distributed teams.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Technical Depth: Ability to dive deep into complex codebases, understand intricate data flow, and propose architectural improvements.
• Problem Solving: Systematic approach to diagnosing performance issues, capacity constraints, and reliability gaps.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with product managers, security engineers, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Comfort operating in a fast‑moving environment where priorities shift and new technologies emerge.
• Leadership: Experience leading technical discussions, influencing decisions, and driving consensus across diverse teams.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

arenaflex invests heavily in the professional development of its engineers. In this role you will:

• Gain exposure to cutting‑edge distributed systems used by millions of users daily.
• Participate in internal tech talks, workshops, and conferences on cloud native architectures.
• Access a generous education stipend for certifications, courses, or advanced degrees.
• Work alongside senior architects and industry experts, accelerating your expertise in NewSQL, Kubernetes, and cloud security.
• Transition into senior leadership, architecture, or product strategy roles as you demonstrate impact.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our remote‑first philosophy means you can work from any U.S. state where arenaflex is legally present. We support a flexible schedule, asynchronous communication, and regular virtual team‑building events. When you do need to meet in person—whether at a quarterly off‑site or a local meetup—we cover travel and accommodation costs.

arenaflex is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We actively recruit talent from a broad range of backgrounds, believing that varied perspectives drive innovation. Our inclusive culture encourages open dialogue, continuous feedback, and a sense of belonging for every employee.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

• Competitive base salary aligned with market benchmarks for senior engineering talent.
• Annual performance‑based bonus and equity grants to share in arenaflex’s success.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents.
• Generous paid time off, parental leave, and flexible holidays.
• 401(k) plan with company match, plus financial wellness resources.
• Home office stipend, high‑speed internet reimbursement, and ergonomic equipment allowance.
• Wellness programs, mental health support, and employee assistance resources.
• Access to cutting‑edge tools, cloud credits, and a learning budget for continuous skill growth.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about building resilient, high‑performance data platforms and thrive in a collaborative, remote environment, we want to hear from you. Join arenaflex and help shape the future of distributed databases that power billions of interactions every day.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

arenaflex is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.