Senior Azure SQL Server Database Administrator

PFH Technology Group; Cork; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PFH Technology Group in Cork is seeking a Senior Azure SQL Server Database Administrator with deep expertise in Microsoft SQL Server, Azure cloud technologies, and support for ArcGIS Enterprise environments.

The role covers SQL Server administration, high availability, performance tuning, monitoring, deployment configurations, and ArcGIS geodatabases on Azure, working with GIS and cloud teams to ensure reliability and scalability across our platforms.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with SQL Server administration and Azure SQL.
• Expertise in Always On Availability Groups, clustering, performance tuning, backup/recovery, and security.
• Experience with Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure VMs, Azure Monitor, Azure Backup, and Azure Storage.
• Proficiency in T-SQL and PowerShell scripting.
• Experience implementing monitoring, automation, and operational best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead installation, configuration, and maintenance of SQL Server instances (2016/2019/2022) in on‑premises and Azure environments.
• Design and implement High Availability solutions including Always On GA, Failover Clustering, and Azure Geo-Replication.
• Perform database performance tuning using DMVs, Query Store, Extended Events, and DTA.
• Manage SQL Server Agent jobs, linked servers, and Database Mail.
• Oversee migrations, upgrades, patching, and lifecycle management.
• Implement robust backup and recovery strategies using native SQL Server tools and Azure Backup.
• Ensure database security through RBAC, encryption, auditing and compliance best practices.
• Collaborate with development, infrastructure, and cloud teams to optimize performance and troubleshoot issues.
• Maintain SOPs, DR plans, capacity planning, and operational runbooks.
• Administer and support ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabases hosted on SQL Server.
• Support ArcGIS Server, Portal for ArcGIS, and GIS infrastructure teams.
• Monitor and optimize GIS database performance for map services and geospatial workloads.
• Perform geodatabase maintenance including index rebuilds, stats updates, and data integrity checks.
• Support GIS data migration, replication, and synchronization processes.
• Troubleshoot database issues impacting ArcGIS applications and services.

Skills

SQL Server administration

Azure SQL

Always On / Clustering

Azure Monitor / Backup / Storage

T-SQL & PowerShell

Monitoring & automation

Tools

ArcGIS Server

Portal for ArcGIS

GIS architecture

ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabases

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Azure SQL Server Database Administrator with deep expertise in Microsoft SQL Server, Azure cloud technologies, and support for ArcGIS Enterprise environments. This role is ideal for professionals who excel in SQL Server administration, cloud integration, database performance optimization, and geospatial data management.

The successful candidate will work on SQL Server initiatives including high availability, performance tuning, monitoring, deployment configurations, and support of ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabases deployed on Azure as SQL Server MI.

Key Responsibilities

SQL Server Administration

• Lead installation, configuration, and maintenance of SQL Server instances (2016/2019/2022) in on-premises and Azure environments.
• Design and implement High Availability solutions including Always On Availability Groups, Failover Clustering, and Azure Geo-Replication.
• Perform database performance tuning using DMVs, Query Store, Extended Events, and Database Tuning Advisor.
• Manage SQL Server Agent jobs, linked servers, and Database Mail.
• Oversee database migrations, upgrades, patching, and lifecycle management.
• Implement robust backup and recovery strategies using native SQL Server tools and Azure Backup.
• Ensure database security through role-based access controls, encryption, auditing, and compliance best practices.
• Collaborate with development, infrastructure, and cloud teams to optimize system performance and troubleshoot database issues.
• Maintain technical documentation including SOPs, DR plans, capacity planning, and operational runbooks.

ArcGIS Database Administration & Support

• Administer and support ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabases hosted on Microsoft SQL Server.
• Support ArcGIS Server, Portal for ArcGIS, and associated GIS infrastructure teams.
• Monitor and optimize GIS database performance for map services, feature services, and geospatial workloads.
• Perform geodatabase maintenance activities including index rebuilding, statistics updates, compress operations, and data integrity checks.
• Support GIS data migration, replication, and synchronization processes.
• Troubleshoot database-related issues impacting ArcGIS applications and services.
• Collaborate with GIS administrators, developers, and business stakeholders to ensure platform reliability and scalability.
• Ensure adherence to ARCgis and Microsoft best practices for geodatabase management and performance.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Technical Skills

• Strong experience with SQL Server administration and Azure SQL.
• Expertise in Always On Availability Groups, Clustering, performance tuning, backup/recovery, and security.
• Experience with Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Monitor, Azure Backup, and Azure Storage.
• Proficiency in T-SQL and PowerShell scripting.
• Experience implementing monitoring, automation, and operational best practices.

ArcGIS & GIS Database Support

• Knowledge of Enterprise Geodatabases on SQL Server.
• Understanding of ArcGIS Server, Portal for ArcGIS, and GIS architecture.
• Experience with geodatabase maintenance, versioning, replication, and performance tuning.
• Familiarity with GIS data management and spatial data concepts.
• Understanding of ArcGIS deployment and integration within Azure environments is highly desirable.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to prioritize critical production incidents and operational tasks.

Preferred Certifications

• Esri Technical Certification (ArcGIS Enterprise Administration or related GIS certification) preferred