SQL Automation Engineer (SQL Server Always On / Patch Automation)12+ month contract (W2 ONLY, NO C-C)100% Remote What You ll Do
- Design, build, and maintain automation to patch production SQL Server Always On Availability Group clusters with no unplanned interruption.
- Automate discovery of availability group topology (replicas, roles, synchronization health, routing, current state).
- Automate pre-patch steps, including:
- Removing secondary replicas from read-only routing
- Placing nodes into monitoring maintenance mode
- Stopping services on DR availability group instances in a controlled manner
- Orchestrate safe patch sequencing across secondary, DR, and primary replicas, including failover/failback activities.
- Keep availability groups online throughout the patch cycle and validate health at each stage.
- Automate suppression and restoration of monitoring alerts (SQL Sentry / SentryOne; equivalents considered).
- Integrate patch execution with JAMS scheduled jobs and maintenance-mode workflows.
- Build reusable, parameterized Ansible Automation Platform playbooks/roles/job templates.
- Replace manual scripts and legacy SCORCH runbooks with standardized automation.
- Integrate automation with ServiceNow for change workflows:
- Change creation
- Approval gating
- Execution status updates
- Automated closure
- Implement verification steps, halt conditions, rollback logic, and restartability at each stage.
- Produce post-patch evidence (replica health, sync status, patch level, audit/vulnerability evidence).
- Support emergency and out-of-cycle database patching for high-severity vulnerabilities and CISA KEV items.
- Partner with DBA, Security, Infrastructure Ops, and App teams on maintenance windows and cutover planning.
- Support remediation of database-tier vulnerabilities identified through Tenable (or similar).
- Maintain automation in source control (Azure DevOps) and participate in code reviews and documentation (runbooks/SOPs).
Required Skills & Experience- Strong hands-on SQL Server Always On Availability Groups expertise, including:
- Replica roles and synchronization modes
- Read-only routing, listeners
- Failover/failback
- Quorum behavior
- 6+ years enterprise Windows Server infrastructure engineering.
- 4+ years SQL Server Always On Availability Groups in production HA environments.
- 3+ years infrastructure automation using Ansible and/or PowerShell.
- Demonstrated success automating patching/maintenance for clustered or HA database environments.
- Experience operating in formal change-management and documentation standards.
- Regulated environment experience (HIPAA, PCI, SOX) preferred.
- Strong Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) administration/troubleshooting.
- Experience patching and maintaining highly available SQL Server infrastructure in production.
- Advanced PowerShell scripting.
- Experience with SQL Server PowerShell module, dbatools, or similar tooling.
- Strong T-SQL skills for querying AG state and DMVs.
- Strong Ansible experience; Ansible Automation Platform (AAP) preferred.
- Experience building Ansible playbooks, roles, inventories, credentials, and job templates.
- Enterprise Windows patch management experience (MECM/SCCM, rings, maintenance windows).
- ServiceNow API integration experience (change records, approvals, automation status).
- Experience with enterprise scheduling tools (JAMS, Control-M, or similar).
- Monitoring platform integration experience (SQL Sentry/SentryOne, SCOM, or equivalent).
- Git-based workflows; Azure DevOps Repos and Pipelines experience.
- Ability to build idempotent, restartable automation with validation and rollback controls.
- Solid understanding of vulnerability remediation and severity-based SLAs.
- Strong troubleshooting, risk management, and communication skills.
- Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Microsoft certifications (e.g., Azure Database Administrator Associate; Windows Server-related)
- Red Hat Certified Specialist in Ansible Automation
- ServiceNow certifications
- ITIL Foundation
Estimated Min Rate: $56.00
Estimated Max Rate: $80.00
What s In It for You?We welcome you to be a part of the largest and legendary global staffing companies to meet your career aspirations. Yoh s network of client companies has been employing professionals like you for over 65 years in the U.S., UK and Canada. Join Yoh s extensive talent community that will provide you with access to Yoh s vast network of opportunities and gain access to this exclusive opportunity available to you. Benefit eligibility is in accordance with applicable laws and client requirements. Benefits include:
- Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Benefits (for employees working 20+ hours per week)
- Health Savings Account (HSA) (for employees working 20+ hours per week)
- Life & Disability Insurance (for employees working 20+ hours per week)
- MetLife Voluntary Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- 401K Retirement Savings Plan
- Direct Deposit & weekly epayroll
- Referral Bonus Programs
- Certification and training opportunities
Note: Any pay ranges displayed are estimations. Actual pay is determined by an applicant's experience, technical expertise, and other qualifications as listed in the job description. All qualified applicants are welcome to apply.
Yoh, a Day & Zimmermann company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
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