SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) Level 3 - DBaaS

• Database

• Remote

• Contract

Job Title: SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) Level 3 – DbaaS
Start Date: Immediate 
Location: Remote across US
Position Type: Contract
  
Job Summary
We seek a seasoned SQL Server DBA L3 to lead the management, optimization, and security of our Database-as-a-Service (DBaaS) environments. This senior role demands expertise in SQL Server, cloud platforms, and automation to ensure high availability, performance, and compliance in a scalable DBaaS framework. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation, mentor junior staff, and align database strategies with organizational goals.
  
Key Responsibilities:
Database Management & Optimization
Deploy, configure, and upgrade SQL Server instances across cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP). 
Optimize performance via query tuning, index strategies, and execution plan analysis. 
Implement HA/DR solutions: Always On Availability Groups, Failover Clustering, replication. 
Conduct capacity planning and cost-effective scaling in cloud environments. 

Security & Compliance
Enforce security protocols: encryption, RBAC, vulnerability assessments, audits. 
Ensure compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, and internal policies. 

Automation & DevOps
Automate deployments, backups, and monitoring using PowerShell/Python. 
Integrate InfrastructureasCode (IaC) tools (Terraform, Ansible) for provisioning. 
Collaborate with DevOps teams on CI/CD pipelines and cloudnative architectures. 

Monitoring & Support
Utilize cloudnative tools (Azure Monitor, CloudWatch) for proactive issue resolution. 
Provide 24/7 oncall support for critical incidents and SLAs. 

Collaboration & Leadership
Mentor junior DBAs and guide cloud migration projects. 
Partner with developers to design scalable, optimized database schemas. 

Documentation & Innovation
Maintain runbooks, incident reports, and architecture diagrams. 
Stay updated on cloud trends (e.g., serverless databases, Kubernetes). 
  
Qualifications:
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s in Computer Science or related field. 
12+ years as SQL Server DBA, including 4+ years in DBaaS/cloud environments.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator, AWS Certified Database, or equivalent. 
  
Technical Skills 
Expertise in SQL Server 2012–2022, TSQL, and cloud PaaS (Azure SQL DB, Amazon RDS). 
Proficiency in HA/DR, performance tuning, and scripting (PowerShell/Python). 
Monitoring tools: Prometheus, Grafana, or cloudnative services. 
Familiarity with DevOps practices and multicloud architectures. 
  
Soft Skills 
Strong analytical, communication, and leadership abilities. 
Adaptability to evolving technologies and collaborative teamwork. 
  
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with PostgreSQL, MySQL, databases. 
Knowledge of Kubernetes, Docker, or serverless frameworks.