Senior Windows & SQL Server Administrator HPC / Analytics Platform

Job Title

Senior Windows & SQL Server Administrator HPC / Analytics Platform

Job Summary

The role is responsible for owning and independently executing end-to-end operations of a Windows-based analytics and High-Performance Computing (HPC) platform with minimal supervision. The position focuses on maintaining platform stability, performance, security, and supporting migrations across onpremises and cloud environments.

Key Responsibilities

Platform Operations & HPC Administration

• Operate and support a Windows-based analytics platform running on Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft HPC.
• Administer Microsoft HPC environments, including head nodes, compute nodes, and scheduling services.
• Monitor and manage compute-intensive workloads, ensuring stable and timely execution.
• Troubleshoot job execution issues such as:
  • Queue backlogs
  • Stuck or failed jobs
  • Abnormal CPU utilization on compute nodes

HPC Cluster Health & Maintenance

• Maintain overall HPC cluster health, including:
  • Node availability and state management
  • Network connectivity and communication
• Perform controlled maintenance activities such as:
  • OS patching
  • Rolling reboots
  • Platform upgrades

Windows Server Administration

• Execute routine Windows Server operations, including:
  • OS patching and security updates
  • Service monitoring
  • Disk, CPU, memory, and network health checks
• Configure performance-sensitive OS settings to support high-demand workloads.

SQL Server Administration

• Administer Microsoft SQL Server instances, covering:
  • Backup and restore validation
  • Job monitoring and scheduling
  • Index and statistics maintenance
  • Transaction log and capacity monitoring

Troubleshooting & Support

• Troubleshoot cross-stack issues spanning:
  • HPC scheduler and compute nodes
  • Windows operating system and services
  • SQL Server performance and availability
• Manage service accounts, permissions, and security configurations across platform components.
• Support incident, change, and problem management activities in line with IT service management processes.

Documentation & Coordination

• Maintain and update:
  • Operational runbooks
  • Health check procedures
  • Disaster recovery documentation
• Coordinate with application, infrastructure, and database teams during critical processing windows.

Migration & Modernization Activities

• Plan and execute Windows and SQL Server workload migrations across datacenters, including:
  • Dependency analysis
  • Cutover coordination
  • Post-migration validation
• Assess SQL Server workloads for migration to:
  • Azure SQL Database
  • Azure SQL Managed Instance
  • Azure Virtual Machines
• Identify and remediate compatibility gaps during migration exercises.
• Support data migration, cutover, rollback planning, and post-migration performance stabilization across:
  • Onpremises environments
  • Cloud platforms

Decommissioning & Post-Migration Support

• Coordinate decommissioning of legacy servers following migrations.
• Update runbooks, monitoring, and support procedures after platform changes.

Required Skills & Experience (Implied from JD)

• Strong experience with Windows Server administration
• Hands-on expertise in Microsoft SQL Server
• Experience supporting Microsoft HPC environments
• Solid understanding of performance tuning, monitoring, and troubleshooting
• Experience with data center and cloud (Azure) migrations
• Ability to work independently and own end-to-end responsibilities