Oracle SQL Database Administrator

Test Triangle; Warwick; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology solutions company in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Oracle / SQL Database Administrator to support mission-critical databases in Operational Technology environments. This role involves ensuring stability, integrity, and security of databases tied to industrial control systems. The ideal candidate has over 7 years of experience in database administration, particularly in safety-critical industries, and strong skills in Oracle and SQL Server management. Responsibilities include troubleshooting, performance tuning, and compliance with cybersecurity standards.

Qualifications

• 7+ years hands on DBA experience with Oracle and SQL Server in production environments.
• Strong proficiency in database performance tuning and query optimization.
• Experience supporting databases in safety critical environments like Manufacturing or Utilities.

Responsibilities

• Administer, maintain, and optimize Oracle and SQL Server databases in OT.
• Troubleshoot issues affecting real time operations ensuring uptime.
• Implement security and compliance measures following OT standards.

Skills

Oracle 12c/19c administration

SQL Server 2016+

Database performance tuning

SCADA/DCS integration

Incident response

Tools

RMAN

Database performance tuning tools

Job description

Role Type: Senior / Lead Level • On Call Required

SC Cleared / SC Eligible Mandatory

Overview

We are looking for a highly skilled Oracle / SQL Database Administrator with strong experience supporting databases inside Operational Technology (OT) environments. This role is responsible for ensuring the stability, integrity, security, and high availability of mission critical databases that support industrial control systems, SCADA, manufacturing execution systems (MES), historians, and real time plant operations.

This is not a typical IT DBA role — it requires working within restricted, safety critical, and change controlled OT networks, ensuring compliance with cyber security, regulatory, and OT reliability standards.

Key Responsibilities

Database Administration & Operations

• Administer, maintain, and optimize Oracle (12c/19c) and Microsoft SQL Server databases running within OT networks.
• Perform installation, patching, configuration, backups, recovery, and performance tuning.
• Manage database objects, storage, indexes, tablespaces, schemas, and user accounts.
• Ensure 24/7 availability for critical OT applications with minimal downtime.

Operational Technology (OT) Support

• Work with control engineers, SCADA teams, and plant operations to support databases tied to PLCs, DCS, historians, MES, and plant automation systems.
• Support systems with limited maintenance windows, strict change control, and long lifecycle support requirements.
• Troubleshoot database issues affecting real time operations, ensuring safety and plant uptime.

Performance & Reliability

• Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks (ORA wait events, deadlocks, slow queries).
• Implement high availability configurations (RAC, Always On, Log Shipping, Data Guard).
• Conduct capacity planning to support long-term OT system stability.

Backup, Recovery, and Disaster Preparedness

• Implement and manage RMAN, SQL backups, recovery strategies, point in time restores.
• Ensure alignment with OT disaster recovery plans and regulatory compliance.
• Participate in DR testing and resilience exercises.

Security & Compliance

• Maintain hardened database configurations following OT cyber security frameworks (NIST, IEC 62443, ISO 27001).
• Control access, privilege management, auditing, and logging.
• Ensure patching is done in accordance with strict OT patch cycles and downtime rules.

Documentation & Change Management

• Create detailed database architecture diagrams, SOPs, and deployment guides.
• Follow stringent OT change management procedures for upgrades and modifications.
• Maintain audit ready documentation for compliance and regulatory inspections.

Technical Skills

• 7+ years hands on DBA experience with Oracle and SQL Server in production environments.
• Strong proficiency in: Oracle 12c/19c administration, SQL Server 2016+, RMAN, OEM, Data Pump, SQL Server Agent, SSIS/SSRS, Database performance tuning & query optimization.
• Experience supporting databases integrated with SCADA/DCS, MES, Industrial Historians (OSI PI, Wonderware, AspenTech).

OT‑Specific Experience

• Working knowledge of OT networks, segmentation, and security zones.
• Awareness of OT constraints (limited bandwidth, legacy systems, stability requirements).
• Experience working within safety critical or regulated environments such as: Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, Utilities, Power Generation, Pharmaceutical / Life Sciences, Chemical processing.

Soft Skills

• Strong communication skills for plant operations and engineering teams.
• Ability to work independently in isolated OT networks.
• Incident response mindset with focus on safety and uptime.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of IEC 62443, NIST 800‑82, or OT cybersecurity frameworks.
• Experience with data replication between OT and IT zones.
• Experience with Linux/UNIX for Oracle environments.

Mandatory Skills

• MYSQL Database Admin.