Senior Database Admins

About The Job:

• Work Schedule: 24/7 rotational shifts
• Experience: 8+ years
• We are looking for an experienced Senior Database Engineer to manage, secure and optimize Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL environments for multiple managed services customers.
• The role owns end-to-end database operations, from installation, patching and upgrades through to backup and recovery, high availability, encryption and performance tuning, and acts as the go-to escalation point for complex database issues.
• The ideal candidate combines strong hands-on depth in SQL Server with working knowledge of MySQL, PostgreSQL and Oracle, and is comfortable mentoring junior engineers.

Essential Job Functions:

• Database administration: Install, configure, patch and upgrade Microsoft SQL Server (2008 through latest releases), using both in-place and side-by-side (parallel) upgrade approaches.
• Azure SQL operations: Administer SQL Server workloads on Azure, including Azure SQL Database, Managed Instance and SQL Server on Azure VMs, and install or update Azure driver connectors.
• Backup and recovery: Design, automate and validate backup and restore strategies to meet customer RPO/RTO requirements, including periodic restore testing.
• Security and encryption: Implement and manage Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), Azure Key Vault–based key management, encryption/decryption tasks, access controls and security hardening.
• High availability and DR: Configure and support Always on Availability Groups, failover clustering, log shipping and replication, and take part in DR drills.
• Performance tuning: Diagnose and resolve performance issues through query and index optimisation, wait-statistics analysis, execution plan review, and capacity planning.
• Job and refresh management: Troubleshoot SQL Server Agent jobs, and plan and run scheduled database refresh activities (e.g. monthly production-to-non-production refreshes).
• Automation: Automate routine DBA tasks such as backups, restores, health checks, and reporting using T-SQL and PowerShell.
• Incident, problem and change management: Resolve P1–P4 incidents within SLA, carry out root cause analysis, and run database changes through the ITSM process (ServiceNow).
• Multi-platform support: Support MySQL, PostgreSQL and Oracle environments using standard runbooks, escalating to specialists where needed.
• Documentation: Create and maintain runbooks, SOPs, knowledge articles and environment documentation for each customer.
• Mentoring and knowledge transfer: Guide and upskill junior engineers and cross-skilled team members on database operations and share study material and best practices.
• Customer engagement: Work directly with customer stakeholders across multiple accounts, provide clear technical updates, and help drive customer satisfaction.

Qualifications:
Required Skills and Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on Microsoft SQL Server DBA experience across multiple versions (2008 to latest).
• Strong experience with Azure SQL and SQL Server workloads hosted on Azure.
• Deep expertise in backup and recovery, patching, installations and in-place/parallel upgrades.
• Practical experience with TDE, Azure Key Vault encryption and database security best practices.
• Proven ability to configure and troubleshoot high availability solutions (Always On AG, clustering, log shipping).
• Solid performance tuning and troubleshooting skills, including SQL Server Agent for job failures.
• Working knowledge of MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle administration.
• Experience supporting multiple clients in a managed services or shared services delivery model.
• Familiarity with ITIL processes and ServiceNow for incident, change and problem management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and customer communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Certified: SQL Server Administration (MCP/MCSA) or Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300).
• Scripting and automation experience using PowerShell and T-SQL.
• Exposure database monitoring tools and cloud migration projects (on premises to Azure.
• Bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science or related field.

Behavioural Competencies

• Ownership and accountability for customer environments and SLAs.
• Calm, structured approach to critical incidents and escalations.
• Willingness to coach others and build team capability.
• Collaboration across global teams and time zones.