JOB: Database (MySQL preferred) Architect, Reading, United Kingdom

[jt at camalyn.org]

JOB:

Hi List,

I am working with a client in Reading (Berkshire) that are looking to
recruit a high-level specialist, someone who has experience in
large-scale deployments and can come in and tell them what they need to
be doing without going through a significant learning process first.
Whilst they currently run with MySQL they do not necessarily need to
hire a MySQL guru, however the database architect should certainly be
familiar with MySQL.  What’s more important is that the database
architect has experience designing large, replicated, globally
distributed databases built for performance.

Whilst the developers have had some involvement with capacity planning
and performance monitoring of the live system in conjunction with the
operations team this responsibility will move entirely to the database
architect over time.

This isn't a development role so the db architect wouldn't be taking
over the writing of all SQL or anything but they would be expected to
use their expertise in advising the developers how best to tune their
code.  Stored procedures are not currently used but they will probably
look at it in the future and this again would be something that the
architect would certainly get involved in as well revisit existing SQL
with a view to perhaps rewrite and/ or optimise. 

They are running a mixture of MySQL 4.1 and 5.0. They don't run
enterprise as they always aim to employ talented staff so they can
support everything as far as possible in house. This goes for the OS as
well, which is why they use CentOS and not RHEL.
       
Although part of the job will involve finding new opportunities to
exploit new features or better use existing ones there are no immediate
plans to upgrade to 5.1. 

There are no specific bottlenecks or db problems as such, the focus is
changing in such a way that they need to be able to store more data and
consequently they need to have the architect in place. However, there is
a focus on continual improvement of what they have. As with all IT
systems, there is always something that can be optimised. Identifying
potential future bottlenecks and avoiding them is also part of the role.

In terms of the number of high transactional servers - which would be
the definite focus - we are looking at high 30s.  They do use MySQL
replication but not clustering at this time.

Regarding salary, I have previously recruited a MySQL database admin/
architect onto a base salary of £55k in Reading. This client is
open-minded to paying this or above for the right person and can help
with relocation too.

For more information please contact me off list.  You can leave a voice
mail for me on 07952 145 127 or e-mail me (which is better).  My e-mail
address is james at camalyn.org 

All the best,
JAMES