Mid-Level SQL Database Administrator

Varmoda; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Varmoda is seeking a Mid-Level SQL Database Administrator to manage SQL Server environments across on-premises and cloud platforms. You will ensure database availability, performance, security, backups, and compliance with standards, working under senior engineers.

This role focuses on day-to-day operations, modernization initiatives, and reliable mission-critical systems across on-site and cloud deployments.

Qualifications

• Four (4)+ years of Database Administration experience in production SQL Server environments.
• Experience administering SQL Server databases independently within operational standards.
• Proficient in SQL Server Administration, T-SQL Development, Backup/Recovery, Query Tuning, and Index Management.
• Experience with high-availability configurations and disaster recovery testing.
• Hands-on automation experience with PowerShell or similar tools.
• Experience with both on-premises and cloud-hosted database environments.
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, administer, and maintain SQL Server instances and databases.
• Develop and optimize T-SQL, stored procedures, objects, indexes, and jobs.
• Monitor health, availability, storage, backups, and performance metrics.
• Patch, upgrade, maintain, test, and validate databases post-implementation.
• Perform backups, restorations, and point-in-time recoveries; support DR testing.
• Configure high-availability and clustering for SQL Server environments.
• Investigate and resolve performance issues like blocking and deadlocks.
• Support migrations, deployments, and cloud database operations.
• Assist with MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MS Access environments as needed.
• Automate tasks using PowerShell, T-SQL, and approved deployment methods.
• Conduct performance tuning, query optimization, and workload balancing.
• Maintain monitoring dashboards, alerts, and escalation procedures.
• Implement security controls: access, encryption, auditing, and compliance.
• Perform root cause analysis and participate in incident response and recovery.
• Collaborate with application, infra, cloud, and security teams for stable DB ops.

Skills

SQL Server Administration

T-SQL Development

Backup and Recovery

Query Tuning & Optimization

Index Management

Database Maintenance

PowerShell / Automation

Cloud & On-Prem DBs

High Availability & DR Testing

Troubleshooting & Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Engineering or related, or equivalent experience

Tools

SSMS

Azure SQL Database

SQL Server Agent

Job description

Varmoda is seeking a Mid-Level SQL Database Administrator (DBA II) to provide hands-on administration, maintenance, and operational support for Microsoft SQL Server environments across on-premises and cloud platforms. This role is responsible for maintaining database availability, performance, security, backup and recovery readiness, and compliance with established technical standards. Working under the guidance of senior database engineers, the DBA II will independently manage day-to-day database operations, support modernization initiatives, and help ensure the reliability of mission-critical business systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, administer, and maintain Microsoft SQL Server instances and databases using established standards and best practices.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize T-SQL scripts, stored procedures, database objects, indexes, and scheduled maintenance jobs.
• Monitor database health, availability, storage utilization, backup completion, job execution, and overall system performance.
• Perform database patching, upgrades, maintenance activities, testing, rollback planning, and post-implementation validation.
• Execute database backup, restoration, and point-in-time recovery procedures while participating in disaster recovery testing exercises.
• Configure, support, and validate SQL Server high-availability and clustering solutions.
• Investigate and resolve database performance issues involving blocking, deadlocks, query execution, indexing, and resource utilization.
• Support database migrations, application deployments, release activities, and cloud database operations.
• Assist with administration and integration of MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft Access environments as required.
• Automate database administration tasks using PowerShell, T-SQL, and approved deployment methodologies.
• Conduct performance tuning activities, including query optimization, index management, statistics analysis, and workload balancing.
• Maintain monitoring solutions, dashboards, alerting configurations, and escalation procedures.
• Implement database security controls, including access management, encryption, auditing, vulnerability remediation, and compliance support.
• Perform root cause analysis and participate in incident response and database recovery activities.
• Collaborate with application, infrastructure, cloud, and security teams to ensure stable and efficient database operations.

Required Qualifications

• Four (4)+ years of Database Administration experience supporting production Microsoft SQL Server environments.
• Strong experience administering SQL Server databases independently within established operational standards.
• Proficiency in:
  • Microsoft SQL Server Administration
  • T-SQL Development
  • Backup and Recovery
  • Query Tuning and Optimization
  • Index Management
  • Database Maintenance
• Experience supporting SQL Server high-availability configurations and participating in disaster recovery testing.
• Hands‑on experience with PowerShell or similar automation and scripting tools.
• Experience supporting both on‑premises and cloud‑hosted database environments.
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft SQL Server certifications or equivalent database administration certifications.
• Experience supporting MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Microsoft Access environments.
• Experience with database migration and modernization initiatives.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), DevOps methodologies, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience with enterprise monitoring, alerting, and automation platforms.
• Familiarity with cloud database services and hybrid database architectures.

Certifications & Clearance

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or equivalent SQL Server certification preferred.
• Additional database certifications are considered a plus.
• Security clearance requirements, if applicable, will be communicated during the recruitment process.
• Candidates must be able to meet applicable background screening requirements.