Senior SQL Database Administrator (Azure Migration Focus)

Senior SQL Database Administrator (Azure Migration Focus)

Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire (C2H) - We Start with a 6 months 1099 contract.

Location: Remote (United States)

Important: Candidates must be willing to travel for initial onboarding.

We are seeking a Senior Database Administrator with deep expertise in hands-on T-SQL query optimization, production performance triage, and Azure cloud migrations. While infrastructure maintenance and HA/DR are key, this role requires a practitioner who actively writes, reviews, and refactors T-SQL logic, diagnoses complex query performance issues, and leads cloud migration strategies. You will work closely with development and infrastructure teams to migrate, optimize, and maintain critical production systems.

💼 What You'll Do

Performance Tuning & Production Triage

• Hands-on Query Optimization: Review, refactor, and tune T-SQL code (stored procedures, views, functions) using execution plans, Query Store, DMVs, and wait stats analysis.
• Production Incident Resolution: Actively diagnose P1/P2 operational and performance bottlenecks (e.g., deadlocks, blocking, parameter sniffing, tempdb contention).
• Developer Support: Collaborate with software engineering teams to conduct T-SQL code reviews, improve indexing strategies, and optimize reporting/transactional queries.

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Cloud Migration & Hybrid Operations

• Azure Migrations: Plan and execute SQL Server migrations to Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL Server on Azure VMs using tools like Azure Database Migration Service or log shipping/AG cutovers.
• Cloud Optimization: Monitor and maintain databases in Azure using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and failover groups.

Core Administration & Availability

• Ensure 100% database backup/restore integrity, test disaster recovery (DR) plans, and maintain AlwaysOn Availability Groups (AG).
• Troubleshoot and manage transactional replication environments (monitoring replication latency, distribution databases, conflict handling, and agent failures).
• Execute routine patch management, upgrades, and security/compliance enforcement.

✅ What We're Looking For

• 5+ Years of Experience: Managing complex, high-transaction production SQL Server environments (2016+).

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• Strong T-SQL & Code-Level Optimization: Demonstrated ability to go beyond admin tools—must be proficient in reading execution plans, analyzing wait statistics, handling sargability issues, and refactoring poorly performing T-SQL logic.
• Targeted Azure Migration Experience: Hands-on experience migrating on-premises SQL instances to Azure SQL Managed Instance or Azure VMs (not just generic exposure to Azure).
• Replication Troubleshooting: Applied expertise in configuring and troubleshooting active transactional replication issues (e.g., undistributed commands, subscription reinitialization).
• Tooling & Process: Proficiency with Azure DevOps, Visual Studio/TFS, and modern monitoring tools combined with native SQL diagnostic tools.

🤝 What We

• Offer A contract-to-hire opportunity with a highly respected client in the U.S.
• The chance to lead critical cloud transformation work with real business impact.
• 100% remote flexibility.
• A collaborative, international team and strong long-term growth potential.

Please submit only resumes in PDF format. Thanks for your understanding!