Debugging of recurring server error "mysql has gone away"

We have a web application built upon Zend/PHP/Gearman/Wordpress/Myql. All hosted on Amazon AWS. We keep getting a recurring error stating that the DB has gone away. We are reasonably sure that this is not just due to the max_packet_size error that would usually be the quick fix. Gearman is used on the server as a job queue processor. it handles tasks like converting uploaded mp3's to different bitrates and runs other command line processes. It is when gearman is run that the problems occur, although this may not be the direct reason for the failures. The whole system is in amazon aws. The database runs on Amazon RDS, rather than using a local instance of mysql. Hoping to find an experienced troubleshooter to assist us in debugging and repairing this issue for us. YOU MUST: Have experience with Gearman, we dont want to have to explain too much Have expeirence with Amazon AND RDS services Expert Linux Skills ZEND Experience essential. WE want an experienced person that is going to come in and fix the problem using their brain, not someone that is going to go searching the internet and trying 100 different things to fix the problem without actually getting anywhere (we've tried this a couple of times already) thanks