Role description
Job Summary
The Azure SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) is responsible for the administration, security, performance, availability, and lifecycle management of Microsoft SQL Server databases across on-premises and Microsoft Azure environments. This role supports both infrastructure and application teams by ensuring database platforms are reliable, secure, highly available, and optimized for performance and cost efficiency.
The Azure SQL DBA will administer SQL Server running on Azure Virtual Machines as well as Azure SQL Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offerings. The position will participate in cloud modernization efforts, disaster recovery planning, automation initiatives, and database migrations while supporting business-critical applications and services.
Key Responsibilities
Database Administration
• Install, configure, maintain, and upgrade SQL Server environments.
• Administer SQL Server databases across development, test, and production environments.
• Monitor database health, availability, and performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve database issues, blocking, deadlocks, performance bottlenecks, and capacity constraints.
• Develop and maintain operational standards, documentation, and procedures.
Azure Database Services
• Administer Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines.
• Configure and manage Azure SQL backups, retention policies, and geo-replication.
• Implement and support Azure-based high availability and disaster recovery solutions.
• Assist in cloud migration initiatives from on-premises SQL environments to Azure.
Performance Optimization
• Analyze execution plans, indexes, and workload performance.
• Tune databases and SQL queries to improve application responsiveness.
• Monitor storage utilization, IOPS, memory, and CPU consumption.
• Recommend and implement optimization strategies to improve performance while controlling costs.
Backup, Recovery & Disaster Recovery
• Implement and validate database backup and recovery strategies.
• Support Rubrik or equivalent enterprise backup solutions.
• Conduct restoration testing and disaster recovery exercises.
• Ensure recovery objectives (RTO/RPO) are met for critical applications.
• Participate in business continuity planning and recovery documentation.
Security & Compliance
• Implement database security best practices, including encryption, auditing, and access controls.
• Manage SQL Server permissions, service accounts, and authentication methods.
• Support vulnerability remediation efforts and security audits.
• Assist with compliance requirements related to data protection and regulatory standards.
• Partner with Cybersecurity teams to address database risks and findings.
Automation & DevOps
• Develop and maintain PowerShell and T-SQL automation scripts.
• Support Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) deployments using Terraform and Azure DevOps pipelines.
• Automate database provisioning, maintenance, monitoring, and reporting processes.
• Collaborate with DevOps and Cloud Operations teams to improve deployment efficiency and consistency.
Monitoring & Incident Response
• Monitor database environments using enterprise monitoring tools.
• Participate in on-call rotations and incident response activities.
• Conduct root cause analysis for major incidents.
• Document issues, corrective actions, and preventive measures.
Required Qualifications
Education
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; or equivalent work experience.
Experience
• 5+ years of SQL Server Database Administration experience.
• 3+ years of experience supporting Microsoft Azure environments.
• Experience managing SQL Server High Availability solutions including Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, Log Shipping, and Replication.
• Experience supporting enterprise backup and recovery solutions.
• Experience with database performance tuning and troubleshooting.
Technical Skills
• Microsoft SQL Server Administration
• T-SQL Development and Optimization
• Azure SQL Database
• Azure SQL Managed Instance
• SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
• PowerShell Scripting
• Azure Monitor and Log Analytics
• Backup and Recovery Technologies
• Performance Monitoring and Capacity Planning
• Azure DevOps and CI/CD concepts
Preferred Qualifications
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300) - preferred but not required.
• Experience with Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code methodologies.
• Experience with Rubrik Backup and Recovery platforms.
• Experience with Azure Site Recovery.
• Experience supporting PostgreSQL, MySQL, or other enterprise database platforms.
• Knowledge of NIST, CIS, or other security frameworks.
• Experience in regulated or audit-driven environments.
