Azure SQL Architect & Senior DBA – Performance & Security

RIVO Holdings, LLC; Encinitas (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

RIVO Holdings, LLC is seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator to own the Azure SQL environment, including data modeling, performance, security, availability, and data pipelines. You will lead the modernization of a legacy database into a scalable, high-performing platform aligned with business needs.

As both architect and hands-on engineer, you will drive cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Product, and Analytics to define data requirements, implement best practices,

Qualifications

• 8+ years as a DBA, Database Engineer, or Database Developer in MS SQL Server environments with 3+ years in Azure SQL Database.
• Deep expertise in relational modeling, normalization, and schema design for scalability and maintainability.
• Advanced T-SQL with proven performance tuning using execution plans, Query Store, DMVs, indexing, partitioning, and statistics.
• Hands-on backup/restore, geo-replication, access control, encryption, and auditing for security and compliance.
• Experience building ETL/ELT pipelines (Azure Data Factory, SSIS, or similar) and data integration strategies.
• Familiarity with database CI/CD and scripting for automation.

Responsibilities

• Own the architecture of the Azure SQL environment, including service tier and capacity strategy.
• Design scalable data models and schemas for new and existing applications.
• Modernize legacy database structures, stored procedures, and data access patterns.
• Define database development standards, naming conventions, and code review practices.
• Diagnose and resolve performance bottlenecks using execution plans and Query Store.
• Design and maintain indexing, partitioning, and statistics strategies.
• Optimize T-SQL and application queries in partnership with developers.
• Monitor workloads, blocking, deadlocks, and resource utilization.
• Own backup, restore, high availability, and disaster recovery.
• Implement database security including Entra ID authentication, RBAC, encryption, and auditing.
• Automate schema changes, deployments, and maintenance.
• Manage Azure database cost, scaling, and capacity planning.
• Build and maintain ETL/ELT pipelines; design CDC and incremental loading strategies.
• Establish data quality, reconciliation, and monitoring processes.
• Partner with Engineering, Product, and Analytics teams to define data requirements.

Skills

Azure SQL Database

Performance tuning

Query optimization

Data modeling

Security

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

8+ years in Microsoft SQL Server environments

Azure SQL Database experience

Tools

Azure SQL Database

SQL Server

ETL/ELT tools (Azure Data Factory, SSIS)

Job description

RIVO Holdings, LLC is seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator to own the Azure SQL environment, including data modeling, performance, security, availability, and data pipelines. You will lead the modernization of a legacy database into a scalable, high-performing platform aligned with business needs.

As both architect and hands-on engineer, you will drive cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Product, and Analytics to define data requirements, implement best practices,