MS SQL Database Administrator

Cognizant; Metro Manila; On-site; PHP 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant Philippines is seeking an experienced SQL Server DBA for our Alabang site to support and administer SQL Server environments across on‑premises and Azure platforms. The role covers day‑to‑day operations, backups, recovery, performance tuning, security, patching, upgrades, migrations, and automation.

The ideal candidate will manage SQL Server 2016–2025 in both Standard and Enterprise editions, including Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance, while collaborating with global teams and

Qualifications

• Strong troubleshooting and documentation skills.
• Ability to work with globally distributed teams and provide production support.
• Willing to work night shift from Alabang site.

Responsibilities

• Administer SQL Server 2016–2025 in on‑prem and Azure environments.
• Monitor availability, health, backups, DR, and performance metrics.
• Configure Always On, log shipping, replication, and high-availability solutions.
• Analyze execution plans and tune queries using diagnostic tools.
• Automate DBA tasks with PowerShell, T-SQL, Ansible, and Azure tooling.

Skills

SQL Server

Azure SQL

Performance tuning

Backup and recovery

Always On

PowerShell

Monitoring

Tools

SSMS

Query Store

Azure CLI

Job description

The SQL Server DBA will support and administer Microsoft SQL Server environments across on-premises and Microsoft Azure platforms. The role is responsible for day-to-day database operations, production support, monitoring, performance tuning, backup and recovery, security, patching, upgrades, migrations, disaster recovery, automation, and operational documentation.

Responsibilities

• Administer and support SQL Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 environments in Standard and Enterprise editions.
• Support SQL Server on-premises, SQL Server on Azure virtual machines, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Managed Instance.
• Perform database installation, configuration, provisioning, post-installation activities, upgrades, patching, and decommissioning.
• Monitor database availability, health, capacity, CPU, memory, storage, jobs, error logs, blocking, deadlocks, and long-running queries.
• Troubleshoot database incidents and service requests, meet operational SLAs, and participate in root cause analysis and problem management.
• Analyze execution plans and tune SQL queries using indexes, statistics, Query Store, DMVs, Extended Events, and other approved diagnostic tools.
• Monitor and validate database backups; perform restore, recovery, point-in-time recovery, and database refresh activities for production and non-production environments.
• Configure, support, troubleshoot, and test Always On Availability Groups, Windows Server Failover Clustering, log shipping, replication, and other approved high-availability and disaster-recovery solutions.
• Support scheduled disaster recovery tests, failover and failback activities, recovery validation, and runbook updates.
• Plan and execute side-by-side SQL Server upgrades and migrations, including migrations from on-premises platforms to Azure IaaS, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Managed Instance.
• Support database builds, migration pilots, application testing, cutover, rollback, and post-migration stabilization.
• Implement and maintain database security controls, including SQL logins, database users, roles, least-privilege access, privileged access, TDE, encryption, auditing, and vulnerability remediation.
• Apply current security patches and remediate database findings in accordance with change, security, risk, and compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate SQL Server, database, role, support-group, ownership, and relationship information in CMDB and related inventory repositories.
• Support SQL Server license and infrastructure inventory reporting and validate data accuracy across supported environments.
• Automate repeatable database administration and health-check activities using T-SQL, PowerShell, Ansible, Azure CLI, and approved automation platforms.
• Support controlled database deployments and CI/CD processes using Azure DevOps, Git, Liquibase, or equivalent approved tools.
• Create and maintain technical runbooks, SOPs, implementation plans, rollback plans, test cases, support documents, and knowledge-transfer materials.
• Work closely with application, APP DBA, Cloud, Windows, Storage, Network, Security, ServiceNow, Release, and Disaster Recovery teams.
• Participate in shift coverage, after-hours implementations, weekend maintenance, and on-call production support as required.

Skills

• Microsoft SQL Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 administration.
• Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure virtual machines.
• SSMS, T-SQL, PowerShell, SQL Server Agent, Query Store, DMVs, Extended Events, execution plans, and performance troubleshooting.
• Always On Availability Groups, Windows clustering, log shipping, replication, backup, restore, disaster recovery, and database refresh.
• SQL Server installation, configuration, patching, version upgrades, side-by-side migrations, and cloud migration.
• Database security, TDE, access management, auditing, patch compliance, vulnerability remediation, and operational controls.
• Monitoring and observability tools such as Foglight and native SQL Server monitoring capabilities.
• Working knowledge of ServiceNow incident, request, change, problem, CMDB, and assetmanagement processes.
• Automation experience with PowerShell, T-SQL, Ansible, and Azure tooling.

Qualifications

• Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with globally distributed technical and application teams.
• Ability to support US business hours and participate in on-call or after-hours coverage.
• Experience in financial services or another regulated environment is preferred.
• Basic knowledge of other database platforms, such as Azure Cosmos DB is an advantage.
• Willing to work on a night shift schedule, and in Alabang site.

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