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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Database Administrator - **Company:** Silverrail - **Location:** UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Amazon Web Services, Data Analysis, Backup Devices, Cloud Computing, Databases, Data Infrastructure, Data Integrity, Database Schema, Disaster Recovery, Document-Oriented Databases, Identity and Access Management, Live Connect (Windows), MySQL, PCI Data Security Standards, Query Optimization, SQL Databases, Sql Optimization, Database Optimization, Indexer, Amazon Relational Database Service, Performance Monitor, Cloudwatch, Terraform - **Published:** September 3, 2026 - **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/database-administrator-short-term-contract-silverrail-9895789 ## About the Role We're looking for an experienced contractor with a solid grounding in MySQL database administration who can get up to speed quickly and work autonomously on schema design, query and database optimisation, and cloud-hosted database infrastructure from day one. We are looking for someone who has supported systems with high transaction volumes and strict availability requirements, such as travel, e-commerce or financial services., * 5+ years' experience as a MySQL Database Administrator, or in a role with substantial MySQL responsibility. * Proven proficiency in database schema design and data modelling. * Strong track record of database optimisation, including indexing, query tuning and performance monitoring. * Advanced SQL skills, with experience using SQL for analytics, reporting and troubleshooting. * Practical experience implementing and managing read/write splitting (read replicas) in a production environment. * Hands-on experience with AWS RDS, including provisioning, monitoring, backups and scaling. * Able to work independently and deliver quickly with minimal ramp-up time, given the fixed-term nature of the engagement. Desirable * Experience with other AWS database or infrastructure services (e.g. Aurora, CloudWatch, IAM). * Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code or database automation tooling (e.g. Terraform). * Experience supporting high-transaction-volume, high-availability systems (e.g. travel, e-commerce or financial services). * Awareness of data security and compliance considerations relevant to database systems (e.g. GDPR, PCI-DSS). * Previous experience delivering short-term, project-based contract engagements. ## Description We're looking for a MySQL Database Administrator to join our Engineering team on an initial three-month contract to take ownership of the database infrastructure that underpins SilverRail's rail distribution platforms. These systems process high volumes of search, booking and ticketing transactions for rail operators, retailers and travellers across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia/APAC, so reliability, performance and data integrity are critical to everything we do. The role sits within the Platform Engineering function and works closely with engineering, infrastructure and platform teams to design, tune and safeguard the databases behind our products over the course of the contract. You'll report to the Engineering Manager (Database & Infrastructure)., Database Administration & Design * Design, implement and maintain MySQL database schemas that support scalable, reliable and high-performance applications. * Own the day-to-day administration of production MySQL databases, including monitoring, capacity planning and health checks. * Plan and execute schema changes and migrations with minimal disruption to live services. * Performance & Optimisation * Optimise SQL queries, indexes and schema design to improve performance and reduce latency across high-traffic systems. * Use SQL analytics to investigate performance bottlenecks and inform optimisation and capacity decisions. * Design and maintain read/write splitting strategies to balance load across primary and replica databases. Cloud Infrastructure * Manage and maintain AWS RDS instances, including provisioning, configuration, patching, backups and scaling. * Support high-availability architecture and disaster recovery planning for database infrastructure. * Monitor database costs and performance on AWS, recommending improvements where appropriate. Collaboration & Support * Work with engineering teams to review schema and query designs before release, providing guidance on best practice. * Support incident response and root-cause analysis for database-related issues. * Document database standards, processes and runbooks to hand over to the wider engineering team at the end of the contract. ## Related Videos - [MySQL Protocol Features You Should Be Aware Of](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100267-mysql-protocol-features-you-should-be-aware-of) - [Dynamic Entities in .NET: Building Low-Code Systems on Top of Entity Framework Core](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100218-dynamic-entities-in-net-building-low-code-systems-on-top-of-entity-framework-core) - [Infrastructure as Code: The Developer's Secret Weapon](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1221-infrastructure-as-code-the-developer-s-secret-weapon) - [Database Magic behind 40 Million operations/s](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/748-database-magic-behind-40-million-operations-s) - [Branch your database like your code: How schema changes and pull requests go hand in hand](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/350-branch-your-database-like-your-code-how-schema-changes-and-pull-requests-go-hand-in-hand) - [Optimizing Discovery: PostgreSQL's Role in Transforming GetYourGuide's Search](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1647-optimizing-discovery-postgresql-s-role-in-transforming-getyourguide-s-search) ## Related Articles - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Data Analyst Salary in the UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/278-data-analyst-salary-in-the-uk) - [Fullstack Developer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/251-fullstack-developer-salary-uk) - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [Software Engineer Salary in The UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/231-software-engineer-salary-in-the-uk) - [Making Data Warehouses Fast: A Developer’s Story](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/107-making-data-warehouses-fast-a-developer-s-story)