Senior SQL Database Administrator
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, Columbus, NJ, United States
Senior SQL Database Administrator
Salary range: 100,000.00 - 110,000.00 USD
The Role & Key Responsibilities The Senior SQL Database Administrator (DBA) is responsible for the architecture, administration, performance, security, and availability of Microsoft SQL workloads in a fully Azure‑based environment. This role provides technical leadership for Azure SQL platforms, ensures high availability and disaster recovery, and partners with application, DevOps, infrastructure, and security teams to support mission‑critical cloud‑native solutions. The Senior SQL DBA plays a key role in driving operational excellence, automation, and continuous improvement across Azure database services.
Key Responsibilities Azure SQL Platform Administration
Design, deploy, configure, and manage SQL Server on Azure, Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance
Own end‑to‑end lifecycle management of Azure SQL environments, including provisioning, scaling, patching, and retirement
Ensure optimal performance, availability, and reliability of production and non‑production databases
Cloud Architecture & Optimization
Design cloud‑native SQL architectures aligned with Azure Well‑Architected Framework principles
Optimize database solutions for performance, scalability, cost efficiency, and resiliency
Implement and manage Azure features such as elastic pools, auto‑scaling, and serverless where appropriate
Provide guidance on database architecture for new cloud applications and platform modernization efforts
Performance Tuning & Monitoring
Monitor and tune database performance using Query Store, Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and native SQL tools
Analyze query execution plans, waits, blocking, and resource consumption
Work closely with development teams to improve schema design, indexing strategies, deployment runbook optimization, data archival / cleanup, and query performance
Proactively identify and mitigate performance risks before they impact customers
High Availability & Disaster Recovery
Design and support HA/DR solutions using Azure‑native capabilities such as shared storage failover clusters, availability groups, active geo‑replication, failover groups, automated backups, point‑in‑time restore, and seamless disaster recovery solution
Define, test, and document RPO/RTO requirements
Conduct regular disaster‑recovery testing and validation
Security & Compliance
Implement database security best practices, including encryption at rest and in transit, auditing, and data masking
Integrate Azure SQL security with Azure Active Directory / Microsoft Entra authentication and managed identities
Enforce least‑privilege access and role‑based security models
Support compliance requirements and participate in security assessments and audits
Automation & DevOps Enablement
Automate routine DBA tasks using PowerShell, TSQL, and Azure Automation
Support CI/CD pipelines for database deployments and schema changes
Improve reliability and consistency through infrastructure as code and automation standards
Leadership & Collaboration
Serve as the senior escalation point for complex database and performance issues
Mentor junior DBAs and provide technical guidance across teams
Collaborate closely with application, DevOps, cloud infrastructure, and security teams
Contribute to architectural reviews and cloud governance initiatives
Positive and professional ability to collaborate in diversified geographical and cultural team
Documentation & Standards
Create and maintain operational runbooks, architectural diagrams, and best‑practice documentation
Define and enforce Azure SQL standards and operational procedures
Stay current with Azure SQL features, platform updates, and industry best practices
Location
Full time, hybrid position to be filled in Warren, NJ
Candidate must be able to reliably commute daily
Availability for travel may be required after gaining sufficient knowledge
Relocation incentives or visa sponsorship not offered for this position
Benefits
401(k)
401(k) matching
Health, Dental, Vision insurance
Employee discounts
Flexible spending account
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or equivalent experience
7+ years experience administering Microsoft SQL Server–based platforms
Strong hands‑on experience with SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Managed Instance
Deep expertise in TSQL, PowerShell, performance tuning, and troubleshooting
Proven experience supporting highly available, mission‑critical production systems in Azure
Ability to self‑explore new Data Platform Features and DBA Tools for project betterment and automation
Preferred Qualifications
Strong understanding of Azure networking, security, and identity (VNets, private endpoints, AzureAD)
Experience with database CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code
Familiarity with Azure cost‑management and optimization strategies
Microsoft certifications such as:
Azure Database Administrator Associate
Azure Solutions Architect
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Role & Key Responsibilities The Senior SQL Database Administrator (DBA) is responsible for the architecture, administration, performance, security, and availability of Microsoft SQL workloads in a fully Azure‑based environment. This role provides technical leadership for Azure SQL platforms, ensures high availability and disaster recovery, and partners with application, DevOps, infrastructure, and security teams to support mission‑critical cloud‑native solutions. The Senior SQL DBA plays a key role in driving operational excellence, automation, and continuous improvement across Azure database services.
Key Responsibilities Azure SQL Platform Administration
Design, deploy, configure, and manage SQL Server on Azure, Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance
Own end‑to‑end lifecycle management of Azure SQL environments, including provisioning, scaling, patching, and retirement
Ensure optimal performance, availability, and reliability of production and non‑production databases
Cloud Architecture & Optimization
Design cloud‑native SQL architectures aligned with Azure Well‑Architected Framework principles
Optimize database solutions for performance, scalability, cost efficiency, and resiliency
Implement and manage Azure features such as elastic pools, auto‑scaling, and serverless where appropriate
Provide guidance on database architecture for new cloud applications and platform modernization efforts
Performance Tuning & Monitoring
Monitor and tune database performance using Query Store, Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and native SQL tools
Analyze query execution plans, waits, blocking, and resource consumption
Work closely with development teams to improve schema design, indexing strategies, deployment runbook optimization, data archival / cleanup, and query performance
Proactively identify and mitigate performance risks before they impact customers
High Availability & Disaster Recovery
Design and support HA/DR solutions using Azure‑native capabilities such as shared storage failover clusters, availability groups, active geo‑replication, failover groups, automated backups, point‑in‑time restore, and seamless disaster recovery solution
Define, test, and document RPO/RTO requirements
Conduct regular disaster‑recovery testing and validation
Security & Compliance
Implement database security best practices, including encryption at rest and in transit, auditing, and data masking
Integrate Azure SQL security with Azure Active Directory / Microsoft Entra authentication and managed identities
Enforce least‑privilege access and role‑based security models
Support compliance requirements and participate in security assessments and audits
Automation & DevOps Enablement
Automate routine DBA tasks using PowerShell, TSQL, and Azure Automation
Support CI/CD pipelines for database deployments and schema changes
Improve reliability and consistency through infrastructure as code and automation standards
Leadership & Collaboration
Serve as the senior escalation point for complex database and performance issues
Mentor junior DBAs and provide technical guidance across teams
Collaborate closely with application, DevOps, cloud infrastructure, and security teams
Contribute to architectural reviews and cloud governance initiatives
Positive and professional ability to collaborate in diversified geographical and cultural team
Documentation & Standards
Create and maintain operational runbooks, architectural diagrams, and best‑practice documentation
Define and enforce Azure SQL standards and operational procedures
Stay current with Azure SQL features, platform updates, and industry best practices
Location
Full time, hybrid position to be filled in Warren, NJ
Candidate must be able to reliably commute daily
Availability for travel may be required after gaining sufficient knowledge
Relocation incentives or visa sponsorship not offered for this position
Benefits
401(k)
401(k) matching
Health, Dental, Vision insurance
Employee discounts
Flexible spending account
Health savings account
Life insurance
Paid time off
Parental leave
Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or equivalent experience
7+ years experience administering Microsoft SQL Server–based platforms
Strong hands‑on experience with SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Managed Instance
Deep expertise in TSQL, PowerShell, performance tuning, and troubleshooting
Proven experience supporting highly available, mission‑critical production systems in Azure
Ability to self‑explore new Data Platform Features and DBA Tools for project betterment and automation
Preferred Qualifications
Strong understanding of Azure networking, security, and identity (VNets, private endpoints, AzureAD)
Experience with database CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code
Familiarity with Azure cost‑management and optimization strategies
Microsoft certifications such as:
Azure Database Administrator Associate
Azure Solutions Architect
#J-18808-Ljbffr