Senior Microsoft Windows SQL Server DBA

Accountabilities

• Architect, install, configure, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server 2019 and 2025 instances, as well as Azure SQL Database, across complex multi-server Windows environments.


• Lead end-to-end application performance engineering by analyzing execution plans, identifying problematic queries, and partnering with development teams on code- and schema-level optimizations.


• Proactively monitor database and application performance using Extended Events, Dynamic Management Views (DMVs), Wait Statistics, Query Store, and relevant third-party monitoring tools.


• Establish performance baselines and service-level agreement (SLA)-aligned alerting thresholds to proactively identify and address issues.


• Design, implement, and regularly test backup and recovery strategies while owning Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) targets.


• Architect and maintain high-availability and disaster-recovery solutions, including Always On Availability Groups, Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC), and Log Shipping.


• Govern database security through role-based access controls, auditing, encryption, least-privilege practices, and applicable regulatory requirements.


• Lead capacity planning and storage forecasting in collaboration with infrastructure teams to ensure database environments scale ahead of demand.


• Govern database changes by reviewing and approving schema migrations, deployment scripts, and Object-Relational Mapping (ORM)-generated queries before production deployment.


• Automate routine database administration tasks such as index maintenance, integrity checks, and job monitoring using PowerShell and SQL Server Agent.


• Manage SQL Server patching and upgrades through formal change management processes, including pre- and post-upgrade validation.


• Mentor junior and mid-level database administrators and contribute to knowledge bases, technical documentation, and operational runbooks.


• Serve as a senior escalation point within the on-call rotation, leading responses to Severity 1 database outages and coordinating post-incident reviews.

• 7+ years of hands-on SQL Server database administration experience in large-scale, mission-critical production environments.


• Expert-level proficiency with Microsoft SQL Server 2019 and 2025 running on Windows Server 2019 and 2022.


• Advanced Transact-SQL (T-SQL) skills, including query optimization, execution plan analysis, index design, partitioning, and performance troubleshooting.


• Deep experience with application performance tuning, including resolving Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) anti-patterns, N+1 queries, lock contention, and blocking chains.


• Proven ability to architect and support Always On Availability Groups, Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC), and disaster recovery failover in enterprise environments.


• Strong command of Wait Statistics, Dynamic Management Views (DMVs), Extended Events, and Query Store for root-cause performance diagnosis.


• Solid experience with point-in-time database restores, high-availability failover, disaster recovery planning, and hands-on recovery testing.


• Strong Windows Server administration skills, including Active Directory and Kerberos authentication for SQL Server.


• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects, manage complex database initiatives, and mentor junior team members.


• Familiarity with Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) change, incident, and problem management processes.


• Microsoft certification such as DP-300 Azure Database Administrator Associate or legacy Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) Data Management & Analytics is an advantage.


• Experience with Azure SQL Database or SQL Server running on Azure Virtual Machines in hybrid environments is desirable.


• Exposure to Application Performance Monitoring (APM) tools such as Dynatrace, AppDynamics, or New Relic is a plus.


• Experience with database monitoring platforms such as Redgate SQL Monitor, SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer, SentryOne, or equivalent tools is beneficial.


• Proficiency in PowerShell scripting for database administration automation, including dbatools, is advantageous.


• Experience with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) in data warehousing or reporting environments is a plus.


• Knowledge of data governance and compliance frameworks such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ISO 27001, or System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) is desirable.


• Exposure to DevOps continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines for database deployments using tools such as Flyway, Liquibase, or Redgate Deployment Manager is advantageous.

• Competitive compensation.


• Full-time employment.


• Fully remote work arrangement.


• Opportunity to take ownership of enterprise-scale, mission-critical database environments.


• Exposure to modern Microsoft SQL Server and Azure database technologies.


• Opportunity to lead application performance engineering and database optimization initiatives.


• Career development through technical leadership, mentoring, and complex infrastructure projects.


• Opportunity to contribute to high-availability, disaster recovery, security, and automation initiatives.


• Collaborative environment with close interaction across development, infrastructure, and business teams.

This listing is from Lever. View original listing ↗