SQL Database Administrator | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

GoAhead Consulting Limited; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Goahead Consulting seeks an experienced SQL Database Administrator to join our government project team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. You will manage enterprise SQL Server environments (2016/2019/2022), implement Always On Availability Groups, optimize T-SQL performance, and ensure data integrity for mission-critical systems on-site.

The role requires Arabic and English bilingual communication, transferable IQAMA, and offers competitive compensation and strong career growth within a premier global

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field.
• 5+ years in SQL Server DBA/engineering.
• Experience with SQL Server 2016, 2019 and 2022.
• Strong skills configuring Always On AG, clustering and replication.
• Knowledge of Azure SQL and AWS RDS in cloud environments.
• Excellent Arabic and English bilingual communication.

Responsibilities

• Administer, configure, secure, and optimize SQL Server environments (2016/2019/2022).
• Design, implement, and maintain Always On AG, clustering, and replication topologies.
• Develop, review, and optimize complex T-SQL queries, stored procedures, and schemas.
• Monitor database performance, indexing, and deadlock troubleshooting.
• Administer cloud database services (Azure SQL, AWS RDS) and containerized databases in hybrid environments.
• Establish robust backup, recovery, disaster recovery, and data retention policies.
• Collaborate with software development and infrastructure teams on deployments.
• Document runbooks and performance audit reports.

Skills

SQL Server administration

Always On Availability Groups

T-SQL development

Cloud databases

Performance tuning

Arabic-English bilingual communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / IT / Database Engineering

Tools

Azure SQL

AWS RDS

SQL Server clustering

PowerShell scripting

Job description

Position Summary

Goahead Consulting is actively seeking an experienced, high-caliber, and technical SQL Database Administrator with extensive professional experience in database administration, Microsoft SQL Server environments, and high-availability architectures to join our government project team on a full-time permanent on-site basis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this critical database engineering role, you will be responsible for managing enterprise database infrastructures, administering Microsoft SQL Server (2016, 2019, 2022), configuring Always On Availability Groups, optimizing T-SQL performance, and ensuring uncompromised data integrity and system availability. You will leverage your deep specialist expertise in SQL Server clustering, replication, performance tuning, deadlock troubleshooting, and Arabic bilingual communication to deliver robust data solutions for critical government systems. This opportunity offers competitive compensation, executive technical visibility, and exceptional career growth prospects within a premier global recruitment and technology consulting enterprise (Note: Candidates must be Arabic speakers with a transferable IQAMA).

Detailed Job Description

As a SQL Database Administrator supporting our government project operations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, you will take full operational, tactical, and technical ownership of database architecture, high-availability configurations, performance monitoring, and security administration. Your day-to-day responsibilities include installing, configuring, and maintaining Microsoft SQL Server instances (2016, 2019, and 2022), designing and managing Always On Availability Groups, database clustering, and replication topologies, monitoring database performance, executing advanced indexing strategies, troubleshooting complex deadlocks, developing and optimizing T-SQL scripts, administering cloud database services (Azure SQL, AWS RDS) and containerized databases, and collaborating closely with development and infrastructure squads. You will utilize your proactive troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving skills to resolve complex database bottlenecks under strict enterprise service level agreements.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer, configure, secure, and optimize enterprise Microsoft SQL Server environments (versions 2016, 2019, and 2022).


• Design, implement, and maintain SQL Server Always On Availability Groups, database clustering, and replication topologies.


• Develop, review, and optimize complex T-SQL queries, stored procedures, triggers, and database schemas.


• Monitor database performance, execute advanced indexing strategies, analyze execution plans, and troubleshoot deadlocks.


• Administer cloud database services (Azure SQL, AWS RDS) and containerized database instances in hybrid environments.


• Establish robust database backup, recovery, disaster recovery, and data retention policies for government systems.


• Collaborate seamlessly with software development, QA, and infrastructure teams to support application deployments.


• Author meticulous database administration runbooks, performance audit reports, and technical documentation.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Database Engineering, or a related technical discipline.


• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive professional experience in Microsoft SQL Server database administration and engineering.


• Deep practical expertise in SQL Server administration (2016, 2019, 2022) and advanced T-SQL development.


• Strong, demonstrable hands‑on experience configuring and managing SQL Server Always On Availability Groups, clustering, and replication.


• Proven operational proficiency in database performance monitoring, indexing strategies, and deadlock troubleshooting.


• Solid practical knowledge of cloud database services (Azure SQL, AWS RDS) and containerized database platforms.


• Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, debugging, and problem‑solving capabilities under high‑pressure enterprise environments.


• Excellent Arabic and English bilingual communication skills with strong collaborative and stakeholder presentation abilities.


• Mandatory legal work eligibility and physical availability in Saudi Arabia with a valid Transferable IQAMA.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Professional certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or MCSE: Data Management and Analytics.


• Hands‑on familiarity with database automation tools, PowerShell scripting, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) frameworks.


• Prior professional working experience supporting large-scale government or financial sector database systems in the GCC region.


• Advanced knowledge of database security hardening, encryption (TDE), and compliance auditing frameworks.

Application Information

• Recruiter: Goahead Consulting Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Division


• Contact Name: Mohammad Masood (Assistant Manager HR) [cite: mohammed-masood]


• Email: [e-mail] [cite: mohammed-masood]


• Phone:


• Company Website: https://www.goaheadconsulting.co.uk


• Salary/Rate: Market Competitive / Government Project Package (Details shared upon application)


• Deadline: Open until filled (Urgent Riyadh On‑Site Government Opening)


• Notice Period: As specified by applicant in submission [cite: mohammed-masood]


• Contract Duration: Permanent / Full-Time Government Project Engagement (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Recruitment Pro Tip

When applying for this SQL Database Administrator position, ensure your email explicitly includes all requested details (notice period, current salary, expected salary, and transferable IQAMA status), and your resume highlights your Always On Availability Groups and T‑SQL optimization portfolio.