Guardian Life Insurance

Senior Engineer, Database Administration

Guardian Life Insurance • $99K — $162K *
Bethlehem, PA 18017In-Person
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field.
  • 10+ years of Microsoft SQL Server administration experience.
  • 5+ years of enterprise database architecture experience.
  • Expert knowledge of SQL Server 2019, 2022, and 2025, Always On Availability Groups, Clustering, Replication, Backup and Recovery, and Performance Tuning.
  • Strong T-SQL development and query optimization skills.

Responsibilities

  • Define and maintain enterprise SQL Server architecture standards and best practices.
  • Design scalable, secure, and highly available database solutions for critical business applications.
  • Lead database modernization initiatives, including migrations to cloud platforms.
  • Develop architecture roadmaps for SQL Server and related technologies.
  • Review application database designs and provide data modeling guidance.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead critical database modernization initiatives.
  • Collaboration with cross-functional teams including cloud engineering and security.
  • Technical leadership role with opportunities for mentorship.
  • Exposure to cutting-edge technologies in cloud and automation.
Full Job Description
Senior MS SQL Database Engineer

Position Summary
  • We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior MS SQL Database Engineer to lead the design, architecture, governance, and operational support of enterprise database platforms. This role combines strategic architecture responsibilities with deep hands-on database administration expertise, ensuring highly available, performant, secure, and resilient SQL Server environments across on-premises and cloud platforms.
  • The ideal candidate will serve as the technical leader for SQL Server technologies, drive database modernization initiatives, establish architecture standards, and provide operational support for mission-critical applications. This individual will partner with application teams, infrastructure teams, cloud engineering, security, and business stakeholders to design scalable database solutions while maintaining operational excellence.


Key Responsibilities

Database Engineering & Strategy
  • Define and maintain enterprise SQL Server architecture standards and best practices.
  • Design scalable, secure, and highly available database solutions supporting critical business applications.
  • Lead database modernization initiatives, including cloud adoption, migration, and platform transformation.
  • Develop architecture roadmaps for SQL Server, AWS SQL, AWS RDS SQL Server, and related technologies.
  • Evaluate emerging database technologies and recommend strategic investments.
  • Establish standards for High Availability (HA), Disaster Recovery (DR), backup, recovery, monitoring, and automation.
  • Review application database designs and provide guidance on data modeling, indexing strategies, scalability, and performance.

Database Administration
  • Perform installation, configuration, patching, upgrading, and maintenance of Microsoft SQL Server environments.
  • Administer SQL Server Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, Replication, Log Shipping, and Disaster Recovery solutions.
  • Manage database security, auditing, encryption, and compliance requirements.
  • Execute backup, recovery, refresh, migration, and upgrade activities.
  • Support production, development, test, and disaster recovery environments.
  • Monitor database health, capacity, availability, and performance.

Performance & Reliability Engineering
  • Diagnose and resolve complex database performance issues.
  • Conduct SQL query tuning and optimization.
  • Analyze execution plans, indexing strategies, resource utilization, and workload patterns.
  • Develop proactive monitoring and automated remediation solutions.
  • Perform capacity planning and growth forecasting.

Cloud & Automation
  • Architect and support SQL Server solutions within AWS and hybrid cloud environments.
  • Lead migrations from on-premises SQL Server to AWS RDS, EC2, and cloud-native platforms.
  • Develop Infrastructure-as-Code solutions utilizing Terraform and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Create automation solutions using PowerShell, SQL scripts, and orchestration tools.
  • Implement self-healing and operational automation capabilities.

Leadership & Technical Governance
  • Serve as the technical authority for SQL Server within the organization.
  • Mentor and develop junior DBAs and Database Engineers.
  • Establish governance processes, architecture reviews, and technical standards.
  • Participate in incident response and major outage management.
  • Collaborate with application development teams on database design and deployment strategies.
  • Provide technical leadership during audits, compliance reviews, and business continuity exercises.


Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field.
  • 10+ years of Microsoft SQL Server administration experience.
  • 5+ years of enterprise database architecture experience.
  • Expert knowledge of:
    • SQL Server 2019, 2022 and 2025
    • Always On Availability Groups
    • SQL Server Clustering
    • Replication
    • Backup and Recovery
    • Performance Tuning
    • Security and Compliance
  • Deep understanding of SQL Server storage engine internals.
  • Strong T-SQL development and query optimization skills.
  • Experience with SSIS, SSRS, and SQL Server Management Studio.
  • Extensive PowerShell scripting and automation experience.
  • Strong knowledge of SDLC, DevOps, and Change Management processes.
  • Experience supporting large-scale, business-critical database environments.
  • Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with AWS services including:
    • RDS
    • EC2
    • Aurora
    • CloudWatch
    • CloudTrail
  • Experience with Terraform, GitHub, Bitbucket, Jenkins, or other CI/CD platforms.
  • Knowledge of containerized database deployments and Kubernetes.
  • Experience with database observability tools such as Foglight and Zenoss.


Success Indicators
  • Maintains database availability exceeding established service-level objectives.
  • Successfully delivers database modernization and migration initiatives.
  • Reduces operational risk through automation and standardization.
  • Improves database performance, resiliency, and security posture.
  • Enables application teams through scalable and efficient database architectures.


Salary Range:

$99,150.00 - $162,885.00

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, and abilities of the successful candidate. In addition to salary, this role may also be eligible for annual, sales, or other incentive compensation.

About Guardian Life Insurance

Guardian Life Insurance Careers

Join the Guardian Life Insurance team today and be part of a company that values growth, leadership, and innovation. As a leading provider in the insurance industry, Guardian Life Insurance offers a wealth of job opportunities that empower you to shape your future and strengthen your professional skills. Work You’ll Do At Guardian Life Insurance, you’ll collaborate with a diverse team of experts dedicated to providing exceptional service and innovative solutions to our clients. Our culture thrives on inclusivity and the shared ambition of our team members to drive positive change in the insurance sector. Explore a variety of career paths in areas ranging from customer service to financial advisement, each offering the potential to engage with transformative projects that impact lives. Our commitment to professional growth is evident in our robust training programs, including leadership development and diversity training, designed to enhance your skills and advance your career. Innovative Work Guardian Life Insurance is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology and personalized service. Join us and contribute to initiatives that redefine industry standards and lead to more predictive and personalized customer experiences. Be Part of a Great Team Our team at Guardian Life Insurance is our strongest asset. We foster an environment where creativity and effectiveness are encouraged, making it a perfect place for those who seek to innovate and excel in their careers. With a focus on nurturing talent, we offer comprehensive benefits, competitive salaries, and a supportive atmosphere that advocates work-life balance. Future-Proof Your Career With Guardian Life Insurance, your career is future-proof. Dive into a range of employment opportunities that not only align with your current skills but also challenge you to grow and expand your capabilities. Whether you’re looking for a full-time position, an internship, or even leadership roles, Guardian Life Insurance is committed to helping you find the right path. Stay Connected Join Our Team Discover the job opportunities waiting for you at Guardian Life Insurance. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who are passionate, driven, and ready to contribute to our mission. Search open positions that match your skills and interests, and take the first step towards a rewarding career with us. Keep Up to Date Stay informed with the latest career tips, industry insights, and company news—all from the professionals who make Guardian Life Insurance a leader in the insurance industry. Our careers blog provides valuable information to help you prepare for your next interview, polish your resume, and enhance your networking abilities. Job Alert Emails Customize your experience by subscribing to job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Guardian Life Insurance, and see how you can contribute to our legacy of excellence and innovation. Join Guardian Life Insurance today and be part of a company that’s dedicated to your career growth and professional development.
Learn more about Guardian Life Insurance
Size
9,000 employees
Industry
Finance & Insurance
Founded
1860
* Ladders Estimates

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