We are seeking an experienced Senior SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) with strong hands-on expertise in Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL technologies.
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing, optimizing, securing, and supporting enterprise-scale SQL Server environments across on-premises infrastructure and Microsoft Azure.
This role requires deep expertise in SQL Server performance tuning, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, high availability, disaster recovery, database migrations, automation, and production incident management.
You will operate at an advanced L3 support level, taking ownership of critical database infrastructure, resolving complex production issues, and driving continuous improvements in database performance, availability, security, and reliability.
Key Responsibilities
1. SQL Server & Azure Database Administration
- Administer and support Microsoft SQL Server across on-premises and Azure environments.
- Manage Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines.
- Maintain database availability, reliability, performance, and operational stability.
2. Performance Tuning & Optimization
- Perform advanced SQL Server performance diagnostics using Query Store, execution plans, Dynamic Management Views (DMVs), Extended Events, and wait statistics.
- Optimize complex T-SQL queries, stored procedures, indexing, statistics, partitioning, memory, and TempDB.
- Troubleshoot CPU, storage I/O, blocking, deadlocks, locking, and transaction log issues.
- Identify query-plan regressions, establish performance baselines, and implement measurable improvements.
3. High Availability & Disaster Recovery
- Design and maintain Always On Availability Groups, failover groups, clustering, replication, and log shipping.
- Manage database backup, restoration, and point-in-time recovery.
- Develop and validate disaster recovery strategies and procedures.
4. Azure Cloud & Database Modernization
- Manage Azure SQL service tiers, elastic pools, scaling, geo-replication, and private connectivity.
- Lead database migrations, upgrades, patching, consolidation, and cloud modernization initiatives.
- Optimize Azure database performance and infrastructure costs.
5. Security & Compliance
- Implement database security, least-privilege access, Microsoft Entra authentication, and managed identities.
- Manage encryption, auditing, vulnerability remediation, and compliance requirements.
- Maintain secure database configurations and access controls.
6. Automation & Production Support
- Automate database provisioning, maintenance, monitoring, health checks, and backup validation.
- Utilize PowerShell, T-SQL, Azure CLI, and Infrastructure-as-Code practices.
- Own critical P1/P2 incidents, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
- Maintain operational documentation, dashboards, runbooks, and recovery procedures.
- Mentor L1/L2 support teams and collaborate with technical stakeholders.
Required Qualifications & Technical Skills
- 8–14 years of relevant experience in Database Administration.
- Strong L3-level expertise in Microsoft SQL Server administration.
- Advanced hands-on experience with:
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Azure SQL Database
- Azure SQL Managed Instance
- SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
- Strong expertise in SQL Server performance tuning and troubleshooting.
- Hands-on experience with Query Store, execution plans, DMVs, Extended Events, and T-SQL optimization.
- Experience with indexing, statistics, blocking, deadlocks, and capacity management.
- Strong knowledge of Always On Availability Groups, clustering, replication, backup, and recovery.
- Experience in database migrations, upgrades, patching, and modernization.
- Automation experience using PowerShell, T-SQL, and Azure CLI.
- Experience handling production incidents, outages, root-cause analysis, and change management.
- Graduate degree or equivalent education.
Preferred / Nice-to-Have Skills
- Azure SQL automatic tuning and Database Advisor recommendations.
- Azure elastic pools, geo-replication, and cost optimization.
- Microsoft Entra authentication and managed identities.
- Database encryption, auditing, vulnerability remediation, and compliance controls.
- Infrastructure-as-Code practices.
- Experience mentoring database support teams and improving operational processes.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for a technically strong SQL Server DBA who can independently manage complex enterprise database environments, troubleshoot critical production issues, optimize database performance, and contribute to Azure cloud database modernization.
Strong analytical, communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills are essential.
