Principal SQL DBA with Security Clearance

Job Title: Principal SQL Database Administrator (DBA)
Location: McLean, VA
Client: Department of Defense – Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) Position Summary As a Principal SQL Database Administrator supporting DoD OIG mission systems, you will lead the design, administration, optimization, security, and development of enterprise SQL Server databases. You will ensure database availability, performance, compliance, and scalability while supporting application development and reporting needs. Key Responsibilities Database Administration & Operations:
Lead installation, configuration, patching, upgrading, and maintenance of Microsoft SQL Server environments (including Always On, clustering, replication, etc.). Performance & Optimization:
Drive performance tuning, query optimization, index strategies, and resource management to ensure efficient and reliable database performance. Database Security & Compliance:
Enforce database security policies, manage access controls and encryption, and ensure compliance with federal standards (e.g., NIST 800‑53, FISMA, DoD security requirements). Backup & Recovery:
Develop and maintain backup, restore, disaster recovery, and high‑availability strategies to ensure data integrity and business continuity. Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis:
Investigate and resolve complex production and non‑production database issues, including performance bottlenecks and system failures. SQL Database Development: Design, develop, and maintain complex T‑SQL scripts, stored procedures, triggers, functions, and views. Support ETL processes, data transformation, and integration with mission-critical applications. Collaborate with developers and analysts to optimize queries and database structures for application performance and reporting. Implement database development best practices, version control, and code review processes. Documentation & Standards:
Produce and update technical documentation, operating procedures, configuration standards, and run books for database environments. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with application developers, system administrators, cybersecurity teams, and other IT stakeholders to support deployments, upgrades, integrations, and security. Mentorship & Leadership:
Mentor junior DBAs, provide technical guidance, and lead database architecture and development decisions. Required Qualifications Active Security Clearance (typically DoD Secret or higher). Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent experience. 10+ years of SQL Server database administration experience in large, mission-critical environments. Deep MS SQL Server expertise: installation, configuration, performance tuning, HA/DR, backups, security, and monitoring. Strong T‑SQL and database development skills including stored procedures, triggers, views, functions, and ETL processes. Experience with federal compliance frameworks and secure IT environments. Preferred Skills Experience with federal or DoD audit/oversight missions and regulatory standards. Familiarity with cloud or hybrid database deployments (Azure SQL, AWS RDS). Certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or equivalent. Experience with automation/scripting (PowerShell, Python) for database lifecycle management. Hands-on experience with data modeling and database design for complex enterprise systems.