McKesson

Lead Database Administrator

McKesson • $133K — $223K *
US-AnywhereRemote in United States
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Degree or equivalent with typically 10+ years of relevant experience in database administration or engineering.
  • 5+ years in a senior, lead, architect, or enterprise technical leadership role in production database environments.
  • 5+ years designing and optimizing databases in public cloud environments, especially Microsoft Azure.
  • Expert-level PostgreSQL administration skills, including high availability and performance tuning.
  • Strong SQL Server (2014+) and Azure SQL experience in enterprise settings.
  • Proven success in supporting mission-critical systems with strict availability and recovery requirements.
  • Experience in leading complex, cross-functional database initiatives from start to finish.

Responsibilities

  • Own the design and evolution of PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and Azure database environments.
  • Lead database migration and cloud modernization initiatives, covering architecture and post-migration stabilization.
  • Establish and maintain database standards, governance practices, and operational documentation.
  • Design highly available and resilient database solutions with effective disaster recovery measures.
  • Advance Infrastructure as Code practices through automation tools for secure deployments.
  • Drive performance monitoring and operational excellence initiatives for database systems.
  • Serve as the senior escalation point for high-impact production issues, leading incident response efforts.

Benefits

  • Collaborative and innovative work environment that fosters professional growth.
  • Opportunities for continuous learning and upskilling, particularly in cloud technologies.
  • Access to a robust support network within cross-functional teams.
  • Potential for career progression within a leading healthcare technology company.
Full Job Description
CoverMyMeds is seeking a highly experienced Lead Database Engineer to serve as the technical authority for enterprise PostgreSQL and SQL Server platforms across on-premises and Microsoft Azure environments. This role is responsible for driving the strategy, architecture, reliability, automation, and lifecycle management of mission-critical database platforms. As a trusted technical leader, you'll partner closely with application, infrastructure, platform engineering, security, and SRE teams to modernize database services, establish engineering standards, and enable scalable, reliable, and secure solutions across the enterprise.

What You'll Do:

  • Own the design, implementation, operation, and continuous evolution of PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Azure SQL, and Azure PostgreSQL Flexible Server environments across cloud and on-premises platforms.
  • Lead complex cloud modernization and database migration initiatives, including architecture design, migration strategy, performance validation, cutover planning, and post-migration stabilization.
  • Establish and maintain database standards, reference architectures, operational runbooks, governance practices, and platform roadmaps that drive consistency and scalability.
  • Design and validate highly available, resilient, and cost-efficient database solutions, including disaster recovery, backup, recovery, replication, and failover architectures.
  • Advance Infrastructure as Code and Database-as-Code practices through Terraform, Liquibase, and CI/CD automation to enable secure, repeatable deployments.
  • Drive database performance, observability, and operational excellence through proactive tuning, capacity planning, monitoring, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Serve as the senior technical escalation point for critical production issues, leading incident response, root cause analysis, and preventative remediation efforts.
  • Partner with security, infrastructure, and application teams to implement security controls, compliance requirements, access governance, and vulnerability remediation.
  • Mentor engineers and DBAs, lead technical reviews, establish engineering standards, and promote knowledge sharing across teams.
  • Present technical recommendations, roadmaps, risks, and architectural decisions to senior leaders and stakeholders, translating technical concepts into business outcomes.


Basic Requirements:

  • Degree or equivalent and typically requires 10+ years of relevant experience with database administration, database engineering, or related database platform experience
  • 5+ years serving in a senior, lead, architect, or enterprise technical leadership role supporting production database environments
  • 5+ years designing, operating, and optimizing databases in public cloud environments, with Microsoft Azure strongly preferred
  • Expert-level PostgreSQL administration experience, including high availability, replication, performance tuning, upgrades, and operational support.
  • Strong expertise administering SQL Server (2014+) and Azure SQL in enterprise production environments.
  • Demonstrated success supporting mission-critical systems with stringent availability, reliability, security, and recovery requirements.
  • Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional database initiatives from concept through implementation.
  • Demonstrated success mentoring engineers and DBAs while influencing technical standards and best practices across teams.


Preferred Skills / Experience:

  • Experience with Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure Monitor, Entra ID authentication, and private networking
  • Experience developing and maintaining Infrastructure as Code solutions using Terraform
  • Experience implementing database CI/CD pipelines using Liquibase and platforms such as Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions
  • Strong automation and scripting skills using PowerShell, Python, Bash, or similar technologies.
  • Experience supporting Kubernetes-based workloads and containerized application environments
  • Experience with SSIS, CDC technologies such as Qlik, and modern data integration or data movement patterns
  • Experience in healthcare or other regulated environments, including HIPAA, HITRUST, or SOC 2 compliance
  • Relevant Azure, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or cloud platform certifications.
  • Exposure to Azure Cosmos DB migration strategies
  • Practical experience leveraging AI-assisted tools for troubleshooting, analysis, automation, or engineering productivity


We are proud to offer a competitive compensation package at McKesson as part of our Total Rewards. This is determined by several factors, including performance, experience and skills, equity, regular job market evaluations, and geographical markets. The pay range shown below is aligned with McKesson's pay philosophy, and pay will always be compliant with any applicable regulations. In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered. For more information regarding benefits at McKesson, please click here.

Our Base Pay Range for this position

$133,900 - $223,100

McKesson has become aware of online recruiting-related scams in which individuals who are not affiliated with or authorized by McKesson are using McKesson's (or affiliated entities, like CoverMyMeds or RxCrossroads) name in fraudulent emails, job postings or social media messages. In light of these scams, please bear the following in mind:

McKesson Talent Advisors will never solicit money or credit card information in connection with a McKesson job application.

McKesson Talent Advisors do not communicate with candidates via online chatrooms or using email accounts such as Gmail or Hotmail. Note that McKesson does rely on a virtual assistant (Gia) for certain recruiting-related communications with candidates.

McKesson job postings are posted on our career site: careers.mckesson.com.

About McKesson

McKesson Corporation provides medicines, pharmaceutical supplies, information and care management products and services across the healthcare industry. The Company operates in two segments. The McKesson Distribution Solutions segment delivers ethical drugs, medical-surgical supplies and equipment and health and beauty care products throughout North America. This segment also provides specialty pharmaceutical solutions for biotech and pharmaceutical manufacturers, sells financial, operational and clinical solutions for pharmacies (retail, hospital, long-term care) and provides consulting, outsourcing and other services. The McKesson Technology Solutions segment delivers enterprise-wide clinical, patient care, financial, supply chain, strategic management and software solutions. In July 2011, the Company acquired Portico Systems from Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. On March 25, 2012, it acquired the independent banner and franchise businesses of Katz Group Canada Inc. McKesson Distribution Solutions delivers pharmaceuticals to retail pharmacies and institutional providers like hospitals and health systems. They operate pharmaceutical distribution centers across the country, serving customers in all 50 states. They also deliver a comprehensive offering of health care products, technology, equipment and related services to the alternate site market, including physician offices, surgery centers, long-term care facilities and home care businesses across the country. McKesson is currently the largest pharmaceutical distributor in North America. McKesson also operates McKesson Canada and has an equity holding in Nadro, a leading distributor in Mexico.

McKesson Careers

Join McKesson, a leading global healthcare company, and be part of a team that is redefining the future of healthcare. With a variety of job opportunities available, McKesson is the perfect place to advance your career, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out. Work You’ll Do At McKesson, we are committed to improving care in every setting—one product, one partner, one patient at a time. We’re seeking talented professionals to join our team and contribute to a culture of innovation, diversity, and leadership. Our employees are driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire for continuous growth and improvement. Empower Your Future in Healthcare With positions ranging from internships to leadership roles, McKesson offers unparalleled employment opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career. Our commitment to diversity training ensures that all team members have the opportunity to thrive. Join a team where your skills will be honed, your professional growth will be supported, and where you can genuinely see the difference you make in the lives of patients around the world. Innovative Work Environment McKesson is at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Our team is constantly exploring new ways to improve patient outcomes and streamline care processes. This commitment to innovation is what sets us apart and what makes McKesson an exciting place to work. Career Development and Benefits McKesson believes in nurturing the potential of its employees through robust career development programs and comprehensive benefits designed to support your life and well-being. From leadership training to health and wellness benefits, we ensure our team members are equipped to meet their professional and personal goals. Explore Job Opportunities Whether you’re looking for an internship to kickstart your career, or a senior position to utilize your extensive experience, McKesson offers a range of opportunities. Explore our open positions and find where you can make a difference at McKesson. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search for open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players who are ready to take the next step in their careers. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Networking and Professional Growth At McKesson, networking and professional growth are part of our everyday environment. We encourage our employees to connect, share, and learn from each other to foster personal and professional development. Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await you at McKesson. Join McKesson today and be part of a team that is dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare.
Learn more about McKesson
Size
58,000 employees
Market Cap
$53.7 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$4.1 billion
Founded
1833
5 Year Trend
+5.9%
Revenue
$237.6 billion
NASDAQ

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