AZURE DATABASE ENGINEER/ AZURE SQL DBA

Overview

Remote
$50 - $60
Contract - W2
Contract - Independent

Skills

ARM
Cloud Computing
Command-line Interface
Communication
Computer Networking
Continuous Delivery
Continuous Integration
Database
Database Administration
Database Architecture
DevOps
Disaster Recovery
Documentation
Firewall
GitHub
High Availability
Management
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft SQL Server
Migration
PaaS
Performance Tuning
ProVision
Provisioning
RBAC
Replication
SQL Azure
Scalability
Technical Writing
Terraform
Use Cases
Windows PowerShell

Job Details

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly skilled Azure Database Engineer with deep expertise in Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance, specifically in PaaS environments. This role is engineering-driven, focused on automation, standards, infrastructure as code (IaC), and security best practices not traditional on-prem operational DBA tasks.

NOTE: This role is not for "keep-the-lights-on" DBAs. We need hands-on cloud engineers with design, build, and automation experience in Azure-native database solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Design, deploy, configure, and manage Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instances.

  • Define and implement cloud-native database architecture standards for Azure PaaS environments.

  • Provide strategic guidance to application teams on database selection based on use case and performance/security requirements.

  • Work with DevOps and Infra-as-Code teams to provision databases using ARM/Bicep/Terraform or other IaC tools.

  • Develop and enforce networking and security best practices for Azure SQL solutions (e.g., private endpoints, NSGs, firewalls, RBAC).

  • Act as the Database SME in automation pipelines, CI/CD, and DR planning.

  • Assist existing on-prem and hybrid DBAs in adopting Azure-native features and migration best practices.

  • Support disaster recovery, geo-replication, and high availability for mission-critical workloads.

  • Stay current with Azure platform updates and recommend innovative solutions to improve scalability and governance.

  • Create and maintain runbooks, technical documentation, and standards.

Required Skills & Experience:

  • Minimum 10+ years of experience in SQL Server / Azure SQL engineering.

  • Deep expertise in Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and Azure Data Services (PaaS).

  • Experience in designing and provisioning cloud-based database architectures.

  • Solid experience with Azure networking and security principles.

  • Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (IaC): ARM, Bicep, Terraform (preferred).

  • Experience with disaster recovery, monitoring, and performance tuning in Azure PaaS setups.

  • Hands-on with Azure CLI, PowerShell, or automation tools (e.g., GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps).

  • Strong understanding of cloud governance, policy enforcement, and resource tagging.

  • Excellent communication and documentation skills

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.