Microsoft SQL Server Database Engineer
Location:Alpharetta, GA or Berkeley Heights, NJ
Position Summary
We are seeking an experiencedMicrosoft SQL Server Database Engineerto design, implement, migrate, and support mission-critical SQL Server database environments across on-premises data centers and Microsoft Azure cloud platforms. This role is responsible for database engineering, performance optimization, high availability, disaster recovery, automation, security, cloud migration initiatives, and enterprise database operations while maintaining minimal to zero application downtime.
The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in SQL Server administration, Azure database technologies, automation, performance tuning, backup and recovery, and large-scale enterprise database environments.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science.
- Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in Microsoft SQL Server Administration and Engineering.
- Proven experience managing large-scale SQL Server environments across on-premises and Azure cloud infrastructures.
- Strong understanding of database architecture, high availability, disaster recovery, security, storage, and networking concepts.
- Experience supporting mission-critical production environments with 24x7 operational requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and support Microsoft SQL Server environments across on-premises and Azure platforms.
- Plan and execute database migrations, upgrades, consolidations, and cloud transformation initiatives with minimal downtime.
- Design and support highly available database solutions using:
- Always On Availability Groups
- Distributed Availability Groups
- Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC)
- Failover Cluster Instances (FCI)
- Log Shipping
- Monitor, analyze, and optimize SQL Server performance using native and enterprise monitoring tools.
- Perform SQL Server patching, upgrades, failover testing, and disaster recovery validation.
- Develop and maintain backup, recovery, and business continuity strategies.
- Automate database administration tasks using PowerShell, T-SQL, Azure Automation, and scripting frameworks.
- Partner with application, infrastructure, networking, storage, cybersecurity, and cloud engineering teams to resolve complex production issues.
- Ensure compliance with enterprise security standards including encryption, audit controls, certificate management, and key lifecycle management.
- Support Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database, and hybrid cloud architectures.
- Participate in incident management, change management, root cause analysis, and operational improvement initiatives.
Technical Requirements
Microsoft SQL Server Technologies
- 5+ years installing, configuring, and administering SQL Server 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and newer versions.
- 5+ years supporting OLTP and Data Warehouse environments.
- 5+ years performing SQL Server migrations, upgrades, and rehosting activities with minimal downtime.
- 5+ years of performance tuning, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis.
- Strong knowledge of:
- SQL Server Internals
- Query Optimization
- Execution Plans
- Indexing Strategies
- Resource Management
- TempDB Optimization
- Experience supporting enterprise databases exceeding 5TB.
Operating Systems & Infrastructure
- Microsoft Windows Server Administration
- VMware and virtualization technologies
- SAN and enterprise storage concepts
- Enterprise backup platforms:
High Availability & Disaster Recovery
- 5+ years implementing and administering Always On Availability Groups.
- Experience with Distributed Availability Groups.
- Experience with Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC).
- Experience with Log Shipping and disaster recovery solutions.
- Experience executing disaster recovery testing and failover exercises.
Azure & Cloud Technologies
- 2+ years supporting:
- Azure SQL Database
- Azure SQL Managed Instance
- Experience migrating SQL Server workloads to Azure.
- Experience supporting hybrid cloud database architectures.
- Understanding of Azure networking, security, monitoring, and storage services.
Backup & Recovery
- 5+ years managing backup and recovery solutions for critical SQL Server environments.
- Experience with SQL Server native backup and recovery processes.
- Experience designing, testing, and validating disaster recovery procedures.
Monitoring & Management
Extensive experience with:
- SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
- Azure Data Studio
- SQL Server Extended Events
- SQL Server Profiler
- Foglight
- Enterprise monitoring and alerting platforms
Security
Experience implementing and supporting:
- Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
- SQL Server Auditing
- Certificate Management
- Encryption Key Lifecycle Management
Strong knowledge of:
- Database security best practices
- Compliance requirements
- Data protection standards
- Vulnerability remediation processes
Scripting & Automation
Experience developing automation solutions using:
- PowerShell
- T-SQL
- Azure Automation
Strong focus on:
- Operational automation
- Process standardization
IT Service Management
- Experience working within ITIL-based operational environments.
- Experience using ServiceNow for:
- Incident Management
- Problem Management
- Change Management
- Experience supporting compliance, audit, and operational risk requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate.
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect.
- Experience supporting financial services applications and critical transaction-processing environments.
- Experience supporting DNA-related applications and platforms.
- Experience with CyberArk, Venafi, and certificate lifecycle management.
- Strong communication, documentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex database initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
Desired Soft Skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced production environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining operational excellence.
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