[Hiring] Manager of Database Reliability Engineering @PrizePicks

Role Description

Our Infrastructure and Database Reliability functions have grown together under one manager, and grown fast. As the team scales to support live, high-traffic events year-round, we're splitting that org into two focused disciplines so each can go deeper: Infrastructure Engineering, and Database Reliability Engineering - this role.

You'll own database infrastructure, data lifecycle and management strategy, and live-event operational readiness. You'll partner closely with the Infrastructure Manager on shared systems and help develop the database team's next generation of technical leaders — we are looking for someone focused on supporting and growing the team around them.

What You'll Do

• Own cloud database infrastructure - AlloyDB, Redis, Kafka and others, capacity planning, and database vendor management, including commitment/CUD strategy and spend accountability.
• Support our identity and access modernization - an inclusive, workflow-aware migration to a modern identity platform, with appropriate limits on high-risk access and a break-glass mechanism for emergencies.
• Own data lifecycle and strategy - build a set of data services that enables data aging, archiving, and retention over a multi-year cycle.
• Contribute to creating a database observability framework; logging, metrics, and alerting that produces clear, actionable signals instead of noise, and that doesn't depend on any one person knowing which dashboard to check.
• Lead high-availability operations for our biggest live moments: on-call design, war-room readiness, staffing plans, and vendor escalation coordination for season kickoffs, the Super Bowl, and other peak-traffic events.
• Own the data side of our business continuity and disaster recovery planning and execution.
• Partner closely with the Infrastructure team on shared infrastructure surfaces, caching, messaging/queues, and the boundary between application and data infrastructure, so the seam between the two teams is invisible to the rest of engineering.
• Maintain database security and compliance: vulnerability remediation, edge security, access controls, and support for compliance and audit processes.
• Manage vendor relationships and contracts across the database portfolio, including budget ownership and negotiation.
• Build and grow the team; identify and develop technical leads, delegate real ownership, and build a bench so critical work never depends on a single person.
• Represent DBRE in cross-functional planning (feature launches, load testing, migrations).
• Balance KTLO (Keeping the Lights On) work against forward-looking productivity investments; scope and prioritize a multi-quarter infra roadmap.

Qualifications

• 5+ years managing database, DevOps, or SRE teams, ideally for a consumer product with real-time, high-concurrency, or seasonal/event-driven traffic patterns.
• Deep hands-on background in cloud infrastructure (GCP strongly preferred; AWS or similar also relevant), relational and non-relational databases (AlloyDB, PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB), and infrastructure-as-code (Crossplane, Cuelang, Terraform, Ansible, or similar).
• Experience running identity/access management programs and modern observability/monitoring stacks, and building incident management practices that hold up under real pressure.
• A track record of managing cloud cost and vendor relationships, committed-use/reserved capacity strategy, contract negotiation, budget ownership.
• Solid grounding in security best practices and compliance requirements relevant to a fast-moving consumer platform.
• A demonstrated ability to mentor technical leads and delegate effectively; you view management as a way to support and empower your team.
• Excellent communication skills and the judgment to flag risk early rather than let it surface as a surprise.
• Experience in a technology startup environment is a strong plus. Relevant DevOps, Cloud, or SRE certifications are a plus.

Benefits

• Company-subsidized medical, dental, & vision plans.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Annual bonus.
• Flexible PTO to encourage a healthy work/life balance (2 weeks STRONGLY encouraged!).
• Generous paid leave programs, including 16-week paid parental leave and disability benefits.
• Workplace flexibility and modern work schedules focused on getting the job done, not hours clocked.
• Company-wide in-person events and team outings.
• Lifestyle enhancement program.
• Company equipment provided (Windows & Mac options).
• Annual performance reviews with opportunities for growth and career development.