Data Operations Engineer

Wilson Elser - Attorneys; New York (NY); On-site; USD 125,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilson Elser, a national law firm, is seeking a Data Operations Engineer to manage enterprise data platforms across on-premises and cloud environments. The role centers on Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL, and Azure Databricks to ensure data platform availability, performance, security, and operational excellence.

You will maintain critical database infrastructure, support data engineering workloads, automate processes, monitor platform health, and collaborate with data engineers, developers, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, IT or Engineering.
• 4+ years of experience administering Azure SQL and MS SQL Server.
• Experience administering Azure Databricks environments.
• Strong knowledge of T-SQL programming and query optimization.
• Experience with HA/DR and backup/recovery strategies.
• Experience with Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and performance monitoring tools.
• Scripting with PowerShell, Azure CLI, or Python.
• Experience with Azure DevOps, GitHub, CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain Microsoft SQL Server on-premises environments.
• Manage Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance environments.
• Monitor database health, performance, storage utilization, and capacity planning.
• Perform database installation, configuration, patching, upgrades, and migrations.
• Configure and manage HA/DR solutions, including SQL Server Always On, failover clustering, backup, and recovery.
• Develop and maintain backup, restore, and disaster recovery procedures.
• Manage and monitor Azure SQL resources and Azure Databricks workspaces.
• Monitor SQL cloud resource utilization and Databricks job scheduling.
• Coordinate data security access management with InfoSec and Infrastructure teams.
• Analyze and resolve database performance bottlenecks; optimize queries and indexes.
• Automate operational tasks using PowerShell, T-SQL, Azure CLI, or Python.
• Support CI/CD pipelines for database deployments using Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions.
• Monitor with Azure Monitor and Log Analytics; respond to incidents and perform RCA.

Skills

T-SQL

SQL Server

Performance tuning

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/IT/Engineering

Tools

Azure SQL

MS SQL Server

Azure Databricks

PowerShell

Azure CLI

Python

Azure DevOps

GitHub

Job description

At Wilson Elser, we are redefining what it means to work at a national law firm. With more than 1,400 attorneys across 46 offices nationwide, we are recognized among the top 100 law firms by The American Lawyer and ranked #30 in the National Law Journal’s survey of the nation’s largest law firms.

Our continued success is built on a culture of collaboration, innovation, client service, and mutual respect. We are committed to fostering an environment where employees are empowered to grow their careers, contribute meaningfully, and thrive professionally.

Summary
Data Operations Engineer to manage, optimize, and support enterprise data platforms across on-premises and cloud environments. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in Microsoft SQL Server (On-Premises), Azure SQL, and Azure Databricks, with a focus on ensuring data platform availability, performance, security, and operational excellence.

This role is responsible for maintaining critical database infrastructure, supporting data engineering workloads, automating operational processes, monitoring platform health, and collaborating with data engineers, developers, and infrastructure teams to deliver reliable, secure and scalable data services.

Key Responsibilities

Database Administration & Operations

• Administer and maintain Microsoft SQL Server on-premises environments.
• Manage Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance environments.
• Monitor database health, performance, storage utilization, and capacity planning.
• Perform database installation, configuration, patching, upgrades, and migrations.
• Configure and manage high availability and disaster recovery solutions, including SQL Server Always On Availability Groups, failover clustering, backup, and recovery.
• Develop and maintain backup, restore, and disaster recovery procedures.

Azure Data Platform Operations

• Manage and monitor Azure SQL resources and Azure Databricks workspaces
• Monitor SQL cloud resource utilization and Databricks job scheduling.
• Coordinate data security access management with InfoSec and Infrastructure teams.

Performance Tuning & Optimization

• Analyze and resolve database performance bottlenecks.
• Optimize SQL queries, indexes, execution plans, and database configurations.
• Monitor resource consumption and recommend performance improvements.
• Implement proactive monitoring and alerting for production systems.

Automation & DevOps

• Automate operational tasks using PowerShell, T-SQL, Azure CLI, or Python.
• Support CI/CD pipelines for database deployments using Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions.
• Automate database maintenance, monitoring, and reporting processes.

Monitoring & Incident Management

• Monitor database environments using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, SQL monitoring tools, and Databricks monitoring capabilities.
• Respond to production incidents, troubleshoot issues, and perform root cause analysis.
• Maintain operational runbooks and standard operating procedures.
• Participate in on-call support rotations when required.

Security & Compliance

• Implement database security best practices.
• Manage user access, encryption, auditing, and compliance controls.
• Perform vulnerability assessments and security remediation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or Engineering.
• 4+ years of experience administering Azure SQL and MS SQL Server environments.
• Experience administering Azure Databricks environments.
• Strong knowledge of T-SQL programming and query optimization.
• Experience with SQL Server backup and recovery strategies.
• Knowledge of High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) solutions.
• Experience with Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and performance monitoring tools.
• Familiarity with PowerShell, Azure CLI, or Python scripting.
• Experience with Azure DevOps, GitHub, or CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Ensure compliance with organizational governance and regulatory requirements.

Wilson Elser offers a competitive salary and benefits package designed to support our attorneys both professionally and personally.

A variety of factors are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, education, licensure and/or certifications, geographic location, market demands, other business and organizational needs, and other factors permitted by law. Final salary wages offered may be outside of this range based on other reasons and individual circumstances. This position is considered full‑time and therefore qualifies for benefits including 401(k) retirement savings plan, medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

Salary Range:

$125,000—$155,000 USD

Why Should You Apply?

• _ Benefits: Outstanding benefits package, including 401k match and generous PTO plan_
• _ Career Growth: Ample opportunities for professional development and advancement_
• _ Employee Perks: Access to corporate discount plans and other benefits_

Wilson Elser welcomes submissions of candidates for our open positions exclusively from recruitment agencies with an active, signed fee agreement who have been granted access to a position through our dedicated Recruitment Agency Portal. We are unable to consider submissions from recruitment agencies without a current (dated as of 7/1/2024) agreement in place. We appreciate your understanding. For collaboration inquiries or to establish an agreement, please contact us at [e-mail].

Wilson Elser is committed to a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. It is the Firm’s policy that employment will be based on merit, qualifications, and competence. Further, employment decisions will be made without regard to an applicants race, color, age, sex, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, physical or mental disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking, past or present service in the uniformed services or application or obligation to serve in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Wilson Elser endeavors to make the Wilson Elser website accessible to any and all users. You may review our Accessibility Policy here.

California Residents may review our CCPA notice for applicants and employees here.