Azure SQL Database Architect

Job Title: Azure SQL Database Architect
Location: Remote (Canada)
Duration/Term: Long-Term Contract

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly experienced Azure SQL Database Architect to lead the engineering, deployment, and optimization of enterprise-grade SQL solutions in Microsoft Azure. This role requires deep technical expertise in Azure SQL platforms, performance tuning, high availability design, automation, and cloud governance. The candidate will collaborate with architects and engineering leaders, drive strategy, and mentor junior DBAs.

Key Responsibilities:

Engineering & Design

• Architect and implement scalable Azure-based SQL platforms: PaaS (Azure SQL DB) and IaaS (SQL Server on VMs)
• Evaluate options like Managed Instance, Hyperscale, and hybrid models based on application requirements
• Automate database provisioning using Terraform, Bicep, or Azure DevOps Pipelines

Operational Excellence

• Define and maintain HA/DR architecture using failover groups, AlwaysOn AGs, and geo-replication
• Monitor health, storage, and performance using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and custom dashboards
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement long-term solutions for performance or availability issues

Planning & Governance

• Partner with app/infrastructure teams during development and release lifecycle
• Lead initiatives in capacity planning, license optimization, and cost containment
• Define standards around security, compliance, encryption, and RBAC (role-based access control)

Strategic Contributions

• Collaborate with architects to shape long-term data platform strategy
• Deliver best practices documentation, review proposals, and participate in architecture boards
• Mentor junior engineers and foster a high-performance database engineering culture

Required Skills & Experience:

• 10+ years as a SQL Server DBA, with 4+ years in Azure SQL
• Proficiency in Azure SQL Database, Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure VMs
• Deep knowledge of T-SQL, indexing strategies, query tuning, and execution plan analysis
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and DevOps tooling (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, PowerShell)
• Advanced understanding of Azure networking, security (AAD), and cost management tools
• Strong expertise in HA/DR practices across cloud and hybrid environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Microsoft certifications such as DP-300, AZ-104, or AZ-305
• Experience in hybrid database architectures (cloud + on-prem)
• Knowledge of cloud-native DBs like PostgreSQL, Cosmos DB, or MySQL Flexible Server
• Exposure to architecture governance boards and technical proposal development

Key Skills:

Azure SQL, SQL Server, T-SQL, HA/DR, Query Optimization, Infrastructure as Code, Azure Monitor, AAD, Cosmos DB, DevOps Automation, Terraform, AlwaysOn AGs

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