Senior MS SQL Database Administrator

Senior MS SQL Database Administrator SQL Server / Cloud

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior MS SQL Database Administrator to administer, support, optimize, and maintain enterprise SQL Server and cloud database environments.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with Microsoft SQL Server, high availability, clustering, database performance tuning, T-SQL, upgrades, patching, migrations, and cloud database technologies. The role will also provide application and database support as part of a technical operations team.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and support enterprise Microsoft SQL Server and cloud database environments.

• Monitor databases to maintain availability, performance, and reliability.

• Troubleshoot database and application issues involving connectivity, access, security, and performance.

• Diagnose and resolve SQL Server performance issues, including long-running queries, blocking, and deadlocks.

• Perform SQL Server installation, configuration, upgrades, patching, and database migrations.

• Support SQL Server high-availability environments, including clustering, mirroring, and failover configurations.

• Write, review, and optimize complex Transact-SQL (T-SQL) queries and scripts.

• Tune database workloads and optimize indexes, queries, and resource utilization.

• Support very large databases and analyze workload performance and resource contention.

• Use tools such as Query Store, Extended Events, and wait-statistics analysis for performance troubleshooting.

• Review and improve existing database processes and maintenance procedures.

• Use operating-system scripting utilities to support database maintenance, diagnostics, and troubleshooting.

• Review existing database implementations and recommend or implement improvements.

• Apply database modeling principles to support effective database design.

• Collaborate with engineering, operations, application, and infrastructure teams.

• Create and maintain technical requirements, design artifacts, and database documentation.

• Participate in application and help desk support activities as required.

Required Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on experience administering Microsoft SQL Server databases.

• Strong experience with SQL Server database administration, support, and performance tuning.

• Strong knowledge of SQL Server high availability, clustering, mirroring, and failover technologies.

• Strong T-SQL development and query optimization skills.

• Experience installing, upgrading, patching, and migrating SQL Server databases.

• Experience working in Windows Server environments.

• Experience supporting large and high-volume SQL Server databases.

• Experience diagnosing blocking, deadlocks, and database performance issues.

• Strong knowledge of database monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.

• Experience with Azure or other cloud database technologies.

• Ability to communicate effectively using technical requirements and design documentation.

Advanced SQL Server Experience

• Experience upgrading enterprise SQL Server environments across major versions.

• Experience with SQL Server compatibility assessments and database migration tools.

• Experience using Query Tuning Assistant and Database Migration Assistant or similar migration/performance tools.

• Experience diagnosing deadlocks and blocking in production environments.

• Experience using Extended Events, Query Store, and wait-statistics analysis.

• Experience tuning Very Large Databases (2 TB+), including index optimization, workload analysis, and resource contention management.

Cloud & Related Technologies

• At least 1 year of experience with Azure, Snowflake, or Databricks, or equivalent certification.

• Experience with SQL Server 2019+.

• Exposure to cloud database platforms such as Azure, Snowflake, and/or Databricks.

• Exposure to SSIS, SSAS, and SSRS.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with enterprise database modernization and migration projects.

• Experience supporting highly available production database environments.

• Knowledge of data modeling principles.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently on complex technical assignments.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.