VP, Database Engineer, Technology Group

GIC is one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. With over 2,000 employees across 11 locations around the world, we invest in more than 40 countries globally across asset classes and businesses. Working at GIC gives you exposure to an extraordinary network of the world’s industry leaders. As a leading global long-term investor, we Work at the Point of Impact for Singapore’s financial future, and the communities we invest in worldwide.

Technology Group

We experiment, design, and lead a 24×7 global business where we support core capabilities in asset management, trading, investment operations, and risk management. We deliver secure, reliable, and integrated solutions, and provide insights on new, and emerging technologies. 

Infrastructure & Cybersecurity Resilience (ICR)

We design, build, and secure the technology foundations that power GIC’s global investment operations. We aim to deliver resilient, scalable, and secure infrastructure that empowers our people and businesses to perform securely, efficiently, and effectively.

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Database Engineer to design, run and modernise the database platforms behind GIC's business-critical applications. You will be the technical authority across Oracle, PostgreSQL and Microsoft SQL Server, both on-premises and in the cloud. You will help lead our move to cloud and hybrid database services while keeping the availability, performance and security that an investment organisation needs.

Key responsibilities

Database engineering and operations

• Design, build and maintain high-availability Oracle, PostgreSQL and MS SQL Server environments across production and non-production estates.
• Own the platform lifecycle, including installation, patching, upgrades, capacity planning and decommissioning
• Run complex performance tuning and troubleshooting, such as query optimisation, indexing strategy, wait-event analysis and resource contention.
• Serve as the senior escalation point for database incidents, lead root-cause analysis and drive lasting fixes.

Cloud and modernisation

• Design and deliver database solutions on public cloud platforms, for example AWS (RDS, Aurora), Azure (Azure SQL, Azure Database for PostgreSQL) or GCP (Cloud SQL, AlloyDB).
• Lead migrations from on-premises to the cloud and between database engines, such as Oracle to PostgreSQL, including assessment, tooling, cutover planning and validation.
• Help shape the database strategy, reference architectures and standards for hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

Resilience, security and compliance

• Design and test backup, recovery and disaster recovery solutions, using Oracle Data Guard/RAC, SQL Server Always On, PostgreSQL streaming replication or the equivalent cloud-native options, against defined RPO and RTO targets.
• Apply database security controls, including access management, encryption at rest and in transit, auditing, privileged access and vulnerability remediation.
• Work with cybersecurity, risk and audit teams so that platforms meet internal policies and regulatory expectations.

Automation and engineering practices

• Automate provisioning, configuration and routine operations with infrastructure-as-code and scripting tools such as Terraform, Ansible, PowerShell, Python or Bash.
• Bring database changes into CI/CD pipelines and support DevOps ways of working with application teams.
• Build monitoring, alerting and observability so issues are spotted before they become problems.
• Build end-to-end observability of the database estate.

Leadership and collaboration

• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge across the team.
• Work with application, infrastructure and architecture teams on data platform design.
• Assess and manage vendors and new database technologies.

Requirements

Must have

• A degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 8 years of hands-on database engineering or administration experience in enterprise environments.
• Deep expertise in at least two of Oracle, PostgreSQL and MS SQL Server, and solid working knowledge of the third.
• Proven experience designing and running databases on at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure or GCP).
• Strong background in high-availability, replication and disaster recovery architectures.
• Advanced SQL and performance-tuning skills.
• Experience with scripting and automation, and familiarity with infrastructure-as-code.
• A solid understanding of database security and data protection principles.

Good to have

• Experience with large-scale heterogeneous migrations, using tools such as AWS DMS, Azure DMS or ora2pg.
• Exposure to containerised or Kubernetes-hosted databases.
• Familiarity with NoSQL or analytical platforms such as MongoDB, Redis or Snowflake.
• Experience in financial services or other highly regulated industries.
• Relevant certifications, for example Oracle Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, AWS Certified Database – Specialty, or PostgreSQL certifications.

What we look for

• A structured, analytical approach to solving problems, especially under pressure.
• Clear communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong ownership and accountability, with a focus on reliability and continuous improvement.
• Curiosity and a drive to keep up with new database and cloud technologies.

Work at the Point of Impact

We need to be forward-looking to attract the right people to help us become the Leading Global Long-term Investor. Join our ambitious, agile, and diverse teams - be empowered to push boundaries and pursue innovative ideas, share your views, and be heard. Be anchored on our PRIME Values: Prudence, Respect, Integrity, Merit and Excellence, which guides us in how we make our day-to-day decisions. We strive to inspire. To make an impact. 

GIC is a Great Place to Work

At GIC, our offices are vibrant hubs for ideation, professional growth, and interpersonal connection.  At the same time, we believe that flexibility allows us to do our best work and be our best selves.  Thus, our teams come into the office four days per week to harness the benefits of in-person collaboration, but have the flexibility to choose which days they work from home and adjust this arrangement as situational needs arise.

GIC is an equal opportunity employer 
As an employer, we passionately believe every individual brings with them unique diversity of thought and perspectives to meaningfully enrich perspectives of GIC teams to drive competitive performance. An inclusive environment yields exceptional contribution.

Learn more about our Technology Group here: