Job Category:
Information Technology
This is a mixed operational and strategic role that has evolved beyond the traditional core DBA responsibilities . In addition to owning core DBA responsibilities, the Senior DBA will help drive modernization initiatives that improve reliability, security, performance, and governance across the enterprise data platform. You will be the senior technical authority on Microsoft SQL Server — designing for scale, hardening for production, and partnering across IT to keep mission-critical systems stable and performant. This is primarily a SQL Server role. Exposure to adjacent platforms (Azure Synapse, Microsoft Fabric, PostgreSQL, DynamoDB) is part of the broader modernization mission and is described below — deep, hands-on expertise in those platforms is preferred, not required, on day one. Works closely with data engineering, BI development, application teams, and IT infrastructure.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Performance monitoring & tuning: Monitor SQL Server health, analyze query execution plans, optimize indexes, and troubleshoot performance bottlenecks across OLTP and analytical workloads.
T-SQL development & optimization: Write, review, and optimize complex queries, stored procedures, and scripts for performance and scalability.
Backup & recovery management: Design and maintain backup strategies (full, differential, transaction log), perform regular restore tests, and ensure compliance with RPO/RTO targets.
Security & compliance: Enforce database security standards, manage roles and permissions, implement encryption (TDE, Always Encrypted), and maintain audit readiness.
Capacity, patch & upgrade management: Monitor disk and compute utilization, forecast growth, apply cumulative updates and service packs, coordinate version upgrades, and validate changes in lower environments.
Strategic Modernization Leadership
Cloud and platform modernization: Lead consolidation of legacy SQL Server instances, evaluate workloads for cloud migration (Azure SQL, Managed Instance, Synapse), and optimize licensing posture.
Synapse and Fabric administration: Maintain Azure Synapse IAM, implement row-level security in Microsoft Fabric workspaces, and tune MPP workloads (distribution, partitioning, statistics, workload management).
Governance partnership: Partner with the data governance team on Microsoft Purview cataloging, lineage, sensitivity labeling, and data dictionary initiatives.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability necessary to perform this job.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Multi-engine exposure: Hands-on experience with Amazon DynamoDB (data modeling, capacity/throughput management, application integration) and/or PostgreSQL or other relational/NoSQL platforms in production. Valuable for the platform's future direction, not required on day one.
Automation and DevOps: Experience with infrastructure-as-code and configuration management using Ansible and Terraform (PowerShell, SSIS, dbatools , CI/CD for databases).
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Ability to write clear reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Strong written and verbal communicator, able to explain technical database decisions — performance tradeoffs, risk, cost — in terms that resonate with both engineers and business leadership, and to present confidently to groups of managers, clients, and stakeholders.
REASONING/PROBLEM SOLVING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Exercises independent judgment on database architecture, performance tuning, and DR strategy. Has authority to approve emergency changes and failover decisions during incidents; budget-impacting decisions (e.g., licensing, hardware) are made in partnership with IT leadership.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Typically not exposed to extreme environmental conditions.
Travel up to 5 % of the time, primarily for off site visits.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, DISABILITY, AND VETERAN ACCOMMODATIONS
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Equal Opportunity Employer, Disability and Veteran Accommodations
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
