Sr. Database Administrator

We value your talent, time and the effort you invest in your application;  to reciprocate, the information provided in this post is as accurate and transparent as possible. We invite you to read and consider the following information before applying:

This role is Hybrid, requires on-site work 3 times a week and is located in Plano, TX. 

The hiring company is looking for long term CTH candidates that are willing to eventually join them as full-time employees (if the opportunity arise); therefore, only candidates willing to consider that career step will be contacted. Also, the company is not able to provide employement sponsorship now or in the near future, candidates should be authorized to work in US under Citizenship or status, even if willing to work through C2C during their initial period with the company. 

Candidates requiring to work on C2C basis while waiting for transition to direct contract are welcomed to apply direclty.  Representative messages will not be followed up. Please specify in your application that you will require C2C contract.

Thanks for reading, we look forward to review your application.-------

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Database Administrator is responsible for designing, managing, and optimizing SQL Server databases with a strong focus on Microsoft Azure. 

This role ensures database performance, scalability, security, and governance for critical business operations; leads Azure database initiatives; safeguards sensitive data; enforces governance and compliance requirements; and provides technical mentorship while aligning database solutions with business objectives.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Design, deploy, and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases across on-premises and Azure environments.
•    Optimize database performance, availability, and scalability through tuning, indexing, and resource management.
•    Implement and maintain security controls, including encryption, Azure AD authentication, and RBAC.
•    Establish and oversee data governance practices, including classification, lineage, metadata, and compliance.
•    Manage backup, recovery, and high-availability solutions to ensure data integrity and business continuity.
•    Monitor database environments, address security risks, and ensure compliance with governance policies.
•    Troubleshoot and resolve complex database, performance, security, and governance issues.
•    Partner with development teams to design secure, scalable database solutions for Azure-hosted applications.
•    Automate administration and monitoring processes using T-SQL, PowerShell, and Azure Automation.

•    Conduct security assessments, vulnerability reviews, and compliance audits to meet regulatory requirements.
•    Lead SQL Server to Azure migrations, ensuring secure, compliant, and validated data transitions.
•    Provide expertise in Azure data services, including Azure Data Factory and Azure Synapse Analytics.
•    Collaborate with stakeholders to define and enforce data policies, standards, and best practices.
•    Mentor junior DBAs and IT staff on database technologies, cloud best practices, security, and governance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or related field strongly preferred.  (Equivalent IT related experience may be considered)

PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS
Microsoft certifications such as:
Microsoft AWS DevOps Engineer, Microsoft Azure Developer Associate, Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert, Puppet Certified Professional, Docker Certified Associate, Kubernetes Administrator.

EXPERIENCE
•    Database Administration & Leadership: Minimum of 7 years of experience in database administration, including at least 3 years in a senior role focused on Microsoft SQL Server, data security, and data governance.
•    Microsoft Azure & Cloud Technologies: Extensive experience with Microsoft Azure, including Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and Azure security and governance capabilities.
•    High Availability & Disaster Recovery: Hands-on experience with SQL Server high-availability solutions, including Always On Availability Groups and Failover Clustering, as well as Azure disaster recovery solutions aligned with governance requirements.

•    DevOps & Automation (Preferred)
•    Experience with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, or Infrastructure as Code (e.g., ARM templates, Terraform) in secure and governed deployment environments preferred.

OTHER DESIRED SKILLS 
•    Expertise in Azure security and governance tools, including Azure Defender, Key Vault, network security groups, Azure Purview, and data cataloging.
•    In-depth knowledge of data security practices, including encryption and access controls, and data governance principles such as data quality, lineage, and compliance.
•    Strong proficiency in T-SQL, SQL Server administration, performance optimization, and secure, governed database design.
•    Excellent analytical skills with a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating security risks and supporting data governance.
•    Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate with technical teams and communicate security and governance practices to non-technical stakeholders.
•    Familiarity with PowerShell scripting for SQL Server, Azure automation, and security and governance management.
•    Knowledge of Azure data services, including Azure Data Lake, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure Purview, and their secure, governed implementation preferred.
•    Familiarity with hybrid cloud database architectures and secure, governed data synchronization between on-premises SQL Server and Azure environments preferred.