Senior DBA – Microsoft SQL Server

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Colombia, +4 more countries.

📋 Description

• Design, install, configure, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server instances (2019, 2025, Azure SQL Database) within intricate, multi-server Windows environments.

• Oversee comprehensive application performance engineering by evaluating execution plans, pinpointing inefficient queries, and collaborating with development teams to implement code- and schema-level enhancements.

• Track application and database performance utilizing Extended Events, DMVs, Wait Statistics analysis, and third-party tools; establish benchmarks and SLA-aligned alerting thresholds.

• Create, implement, and verify backup and recovery strategies; take ownership of RTO/RPO targets and validate them through routine recovery drills.

• Design and maintain HA/DR solutions, including Always On Availability Groups and Log Shipping across production and DR environments.

• Manage database security through role-based access controls, auditing frameworks, and encryption methods.

• Oversee capacity planning and storage forecasting in collaboration with infrastructure teams.

• Direct database change governance by assessing schema migrations, deployment scripts, and ORM-generated queries.

• Automate standard DBA tasks such as index maintenance, integrity checks, and job monitoring through PowerShell and SQL Agent.

• Supervise SQL Server patch management and upgrades through formal change management, including pre- and post-upgrade validation processes.

• Mentor junior and mid-level DBAs while contributing to knowledge base and runbook documentation.

• Act as a senior escalation point during on-call rotations for Severity 1 database outages, leading response efforts and post-incident reviews.

• Collaborate with application development, infrastructure architecture, and business stakeholder teams to ensure database availability, security, and application performance.

⛳️ Requirements

• 7+ years of practical SQL Server DBA experience in large-scale, mission-critical production settings.

• Expert-level knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server 2019 / 2025 on Windows Server 2019 / 2022.

• Advanced T-SQL capabilities, including query optimization, execution plan analysis, index design, partitioning, and performance troubleshooting.

• Extensive expertise in application performance tuning, working with developers to address ORM anti-patterns, N+1 queries, lock contention, and blocking chains.

• Proven track record in architecting and supporting Always On Availability Groups, Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC), and disaster recovery failover in enterprise settings.

• Strong understanding of Wait Statistics, Dynamic Management Views (DMVs), Extended Events, and Query Store for root-cause performance diagnosis.

• Solid experience with point-in-time database restores, high-availability failover, disaster recovery planning, and hands-on recovery testing.

• Familiarity with Windows Server administration and Active Directory / Kerberos authentication for SQL Server.

• Demonstrated capacity to lead technical projects and mentor less experienced team members.

• Knowledge of ITIL change, incident, and problem management processes.

• Microsoft certification: DP-300 (Azure Database Administrator Associate) or legacy MCSE Data Management & Analytics (preferred).

• Experience with Azure SQL Database or SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines in hybrid environments (preferred).

• Familiarity with APM tools such as Dynatrace, AppDynamics, or New Relic (preferred).

• Proficient in database monitoring platforms like Redgate SQL Monitor, SolarWinds DPA, SentryOne, or similar (preferred).

• PowerShell scripting skills for DBA automation, including experience with dbatools (preferred).

• Experience with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) in data warehousing or reporting environments (preferred).

• Understanding of data governance and compliance frameworks, including GDPR, ISO 27001, or SOC 2 (preferred).

• Familiarity with DevOps CI/CD pipelines for database deployments using tools such as Flyway, Liquibase, or Redgate Deployment Manager (preferred).

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.

• Flexible work arrangements and a supportive team environment.