Senior Database Administrator

About the Role

The Senior Database Administrator is entrusted with architecting, deploying, managing, and fine-tuning enterprise database systems spanning Azure PaaS solutions and hybrid cloud environments. These platforms include Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, alongside Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL hosted on physical servers or virtual machines. The position requires ensuring high availability, peak performance, comprehensive security, effective backup and recovery strategies, and readiness for migrations.

Collaboration with the architecture, application development, and cloud infrastructure teams is a key aspect to ensure dependable data platform delivery consistent with organizational governance, compliance mandates, and Microsoft Cloud Adoption and Well-Architected standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and optimize Azure SQL Database instances including single databases, elastic pools, and Managed Instances with regards to scalability and performance.
• Design and maintain efficient Azure Cosmos DB workloads focusing on partition strategies, consistency levels, request unit allocation, indexing, and geographic distribution.
• Manage Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Servers, covering configurations, extension management, high availability setups, and following operational best practices.
• Implement proactive monitoring, alerting systems, and capacity planning utilizing Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and native database telemetry.
• Enforce Azure governance through policies, tagging, cost governance, and adherence to platform standards for managed databases.
• Administer Microsoft SQL Server running on on-premises servers or VMs, including installation, patching, configuration, Always On capabilities, and lifecycle oversight.
• Maintain PostgreSQL databases on servers/VMs including configuration tuning, vacuuming, extension handling, replication, and backup methodologies.
• Develop operational procedures like runbooks, change control, and manage incidents and problems for hybrid database ecosystems.
• Evaluate legacy system debt and strategize modernization pathways transitioning from server-based databases to Azure PaaS platforms.
• Lead database migration initiatives assessing SQL Server and PostgreSQL workloads for transition to Azure, employing Azure Database Migration Service and related tools for discovery and planning.
• Design target cloud architectures for Azure SQL Database, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, and Cosmos DB for appropriate workloads.
• Plan and execute data migration steps including validation, rollback strategies, and hypercare in coordination with application and infrastructure teams.
• Perform query and index tuning to fulfill SLAs across all managed database platforms.
• Design and uphold high availability and disaster recovery mechanisms, such as geo-replication, failover groups, backups, point-in-time recovery, and conduct recovery rehearsals.
• Implement robust security controls including authentication and authorization, encryption during data transmission and storage, access auditing, and least privilege policies.
• Utilize Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Defender for SQL, Key Vault, and private networking constructs to secure data platforms.
• Ensure backup, restore, and data retention policies comply with recovery objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Provide expert advice during projects with architects, developers, DevOps engineers, and project managers.
• Engage in knowledge transfer and mentorship for junior database professionals.
• Support agile methodologies through structured change management, release processes, and rollback plans for database modifications.
• Produce comprehensive documentation including assessments, runbooks, and migration implementation guides.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline is required.
• Professional certifications mandatory: DP-300 (Administering Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions), AZ-104 (Azure Administrator Associate).
• Preferred certifications include DP-900 (Azure Data Fundamentals), AZ-305 (Azure Solutions Architect Expert), Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, and PostgreSQL certification or equivalent hands-on credentials.
• Demonstrated 6 to 8 years of professional experience as a Database Administrator in an enterprise setting.
• Extensive, practical knowledge of Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure Database for PostgreSQL.
• Proven experience managing Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL on physical/VM servers including migration assessments to Azure platforms.
• Expertise in high availability, disaster recovery, performance tuning, backup/recovery, and production issue resolution.
• Experience working in Agile environments collaborating effectively with DevOps and cloud engineering teams.
• Additional skills in administering Oracle Databases, including installation, backup/recovery, and performance optimizations are advantageous, as well as familiarity with Oracle co-existence and migrations.
• Strong command over database security principles, networking aspects such as private endpoints and virtual networks, monitoring, and Azure cost efficiency.
• Proficiency with T-SQL, PostgreSQL SQL, and automation scripting using PowerShell, Bash, or Python.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework and Well-Architected Framework principles related to data platform management.