Database Administrator

**Job Title: Cloud DBA (Azure is Primary) - Powershell automation.**

**Location**: India (Hybrid)

**Job Type**:Full-time

**Job Summary**:
This role demands a balance of operational expertise, automation mindset, security awareness, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure highly available, performant, and secure SQL Server instances across cloud platforms.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Administer, monitor, and support SQL Server databases deployed on **AWS (RDS, EC2)** and **Azure (SQL DB, Managed Instance, SQL on VMs)**.
- Manage backup/recovery strategies, patching, and high availability configurations (**AlwaysOn, Geo-replication, Log Shipping**).
- Tune SQL queries, manage indexing strategies, and analyze wait stats using tools such as **SolarWinds DPA**.
- Integrate and optimize observability tooling (**New Relic APM**, **RedGate Monitor**, **SQL Monitor**) for real-time health, alerts, and proactive diagnostics.
- Automate operational tasks using **T-SQL, PowerShell, or scripting tools**, and integrate with DevOps pipelines where applicable.
- Working knowledge of **PostgreSQL**, **MySQL**, **MongoDB**, **Elasticsearch**, and **Redis**.
- Collaborate with CloudOps, DevOps, and SRE teams on release management, deployment automation, and infrastructure as code (IaC).
- Maintain secure access control and auditing per **FedRAMP High** and **IL5** security baselines; support internal/external audits and compliance reviews.
- Participate in on-call rotations for 24x7 coverage (follow-the-sun model) for incident response, issue triage, and problem resolution

**Required Skills & Qualifications**:

- 3-5 years of hands-on experience as a SQL Server DBA, with **2+ years in AWS or Azure cloud environments**.
- Proficiency with **SQL Server 2016+**, including installation, configuration, maintenance, performance tuning, and HA/DR.
- Solid expertise in monitoring/troubleshooting tools:

- **New Relic (DB Insights & APM)**:

- **SolarWinds DPA**:

- **RedGate**
- Automation scripting using **PowerShell**, **T-SQL**, and optionally **Azure CLI / AWS CLI**.
- Experience working in secure and regulated environments (FedRAMP, IL5, HIPAA, etc.).
- Understanding of **cost optimization** practices in cloud services.
- Strong interpersonal, documentation, and communication skills.

**Preferred Qualifications**:

- Certifications (nice to have):

- Microsoft Certified**:Azure Database Administrator Associate**:

- AWS Certified**:Database - Specialty** or **Solutions Architect - Associate**:

- Exposure to **FedRAMP High** and **IL5** operational requirements

**Roadmap to Success**

**First 90 Days: Getting Oriented**
- **Understand Current Systems**:

- Onboard with DBA, CloudOps, and Observability teams.
- Review existing **SQL Server** deployments and architectures in **AWS and Azure**.
- **Review and Assess**:

- Analyse current monitoring, alerting, automation scripts, and security configurations.
- Understand cloud spend patterns, backup retention policies, and DR architecture.
- **Quick Wins**:

- Resolve immediate performance bottlenecks.
- Deploy minor automation and alerting enhancements.
- Improve observability coverage using RedGate and SolarWinds DPA.

**First 6 Months: Adding Value**
- **Optimization & Stability**:

- Tune queries and optimize configurations across production systems.
- Strengthen backup, recovery, and **HA strategies**.
- **Automation & Cost Control**:

- Build and contribute scripts for regular maintenance, scaling, and reporting.
- Implement cloud cost monitoring dashboards and provide actionable insights.
- **Cross-Functional Collaboration**:

- Work closely with DevOps and SRE teams to improve pipeline and deployment reliability.

**First 12 Months: Driving Impact**
- **Reliability & Security Enhancements**:

- Enforce **security standards** aligned to **FedRAMP High** and **IL5**, including encryption, RBAC, and audit logging.
- Support compliance reviews and audit preparation.
- **Innovation & Leadership**:

- Propose modernization plans (e.g., serverless databases, containerization, Azure Arc).
- Mentor peers and contribute to internal technical forums or runbooks.
- **Operational Excellence**:

- Help create a fully automated, secure, and observable SQL Server environment across cloud platforms.
- Be recognized as the go-to SQL Server expert for cloud-native solutions and secure database operations.

**What We Offer**:

- Competitive salary and performance incentives
- Remote-friendly, flexible work culture
- Cloud training programs and technical certifications
- Exposure to large-scale cloud architecture and DevOps best practices
- Collaborative, fast-paced engineering environment