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GitLabStaff Backend Engineer - Database Change Management
GitLab is an intelligent DevSecOps platform used by millions of registered users and over half of the Fortune 100 to build and ship secure software. The…
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About This Role
GitLab is an intelligent DevSecOps platform used by millions of registered users and over half of the Fortune 100 to build and ship secure software. The organization operates on principles of asynchronous collaboration and expects team members to utilize AI tools in daily workflows. GitLab is currently hiring for a full-time Staff Backend Engineer - Database Change Management position located in India. In this capacity, the engineer will help modernize…
Job Description
GitLab is an intelligent DevSecOps platform used by millions of registered users and over half of the Fortune 100 to build and ship secure software. The organization operates on principles of asynchronous collaboration and expects team members to utilize AI tools in daily workflows. GitLab is currently hiring for a full-time Staff Backend Engineer - Database Change Management position located in India.
In this capacity, the engineer will help modernize the sequential database migration system by implementing a dependency graph model designed to streamline upgrades for both self-managed users and GitLab.com. Responsibilities include owning architecture decisions, creating migration validation and test frameworks, reviewing database schema changes, and serving as a senior technical leader for the engineering group based in India while communicating with global teams.
This role is ideal for a senior-level engineer with deep production experience in Ruby on Rails and PostgreSQL, who excels at designing and delivering complex infrastructure systems asynchronously across multiple time zones.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and delivery of a migration validation and test framework spanning initial concept to production use
- Contribute to a dependency graph migration system supporting safe ordering, parallel execution, and three-phase upgrades
- Mentor intermediate engineers through code reviews, pairing, and technical feedback
- Document technical decisions asynchronously for team members across multiple time zones
- Review schema migrations submitted by engineers across GitLab to ensure safety, reliability, and backward compatibility
- Collaborate with database architecture, quality assurance, distribution, database automation, and framework teams
- Author and defend architecture proposals while representing the team in technical reviews
Requirements
- Extensive experience with Ruby on Rails in large production codebases, including Active Record migration internals, or equivalent proficiency in another framework such as Django or Ecto
- Production-level PostgreSQL expertise covering large table schema changes, locking behavior, and data definition language failure modes under load
- Demonstrated track record of guiding a system delivery from design through implementation and adoption
- Prior experience mentoring engineering peers via code review, technical feedback, and pairing
- Strong written communication skills for independent progress in a distributed, asynchronous environment
- Sound judgment in balancing reliability, safety, delivery timelines, and backward compatibility
Core Skills
Benefits
- Flexible paid time off
- Team member resource groups
- Equity compensation and employee stock purchase plan
- Growth and development fund
- Parental leave
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
What is the employment type and location for this role?
This is a full-time position located in India, with the engineering group based locally and collaborating with teams globally.
What is the salary for the Staff Backend Engineer position?
The salary is not stated in the job posting.
What core technical background is required?
Candidates must have deep production experience with Ruby on Rails and its migration internals, or comparable depth in another framework like Django or Ecto, alongside solid production PostgreSQL expertise.
What benefits are provided for full-time employees?
GitLab offers flexible paid time off, parental leave, equity compensation, an employee stock purchase plan, growth and development funds, and team member resource groups.
Sample Interview Questions
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