Senior Database Administrator

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

• Compensation: USD 160,000 - USD 200,000 - yearly

*This is a fully on-site role. Hybrid/remote work is not available at this time*
*We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time*

RIVO is seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator to own the design, performance, and reliability of our Microsoft Azure SQL database environment.

We're looking for a builder. Someone who can assess where we are today, define where we need to be tomorrow, and help lead the journey.

As our Senior Database Administrator, you'll own our database architecture end to end: data modeling, performance, security, availability, and the pipelines that move data across the organization. You'll be the go-to expert for how our data is stored, accessed, and scaled.

As both a strategic architect and hands-on engineer, you'll play a key role in transforming a legacy database and data structure into a scalable, high-performing platform built for the future.

If you're energized by ownership, attracted to complex challenges, and motivated by the opportunity to build something lasting, we'd love to hear from you!

Job Description

What You'll Do

• Own the architecture of our Azure SQL environment (Azure SQL Databases), including service tier and capacity strategy.
• Design scalable data models and schemas for new and existing applications.
• Assess and modernize legacy database structures, stored procedures, and data access patterns.
• Define database development standards, naming conventions, and code review practices.

Performance Tuning & Query Optimization

• Diagnose and resolve performance bottlenecks using execution plans, Query Store, and Extended Events.
• Design and maintain indexing, partitioning, and statistics strategies.
• Optimize T-SQL, stored procedures, and application queries in partnership with developers.
• Proactively monitor workloads, blocking, deadlocks, and resource utilization.

Reliability, Security & Operations

• Own backup, restore, high availability, and disaster recovery (point-in-time restore, geo-replication, failover groups).
• Implement database security, including Entra ID authentication, role-based access, encryption, and auditing, protecting PII data.
• Automate schema changes, deployments, and maintenance
• Manage Azure database cost, scaling, and capacity planning.
• Build and maintain ETL/ELT pipelines using Azure Data Factory, SSIS, or similar tools.
• Design CDC and incremental load strategies to move data reliably between systems.
• Establish data quality, reconciliation, and monitoring processes.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Engineering, Product, and Analytics teams to define data requirements and priorities.
• Translate business needs into scalable database solutions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on database architecture, performance, and data governance.

Qualifications

Must Have Qualifications

• Database Administration Experience: 8+ years as a DBA, Database Engineer, or Database Developer in Microsoft SQL Server environments, including 3+ years with Azure SQL Database
• Database Design & Architecture: Deep expertise in relational modeling, normalization, and schema design, and in architecting databases for scale, availability, and maintainability.
• Performance Tuning & Query Optimization: Advanced T-SQL with a proven track record tuning queries and workloads using execution plans, Query Store, DMVs, indexing, partitioning, and statistics.
• High Availability, Recovery & Security: Hands-on experience with backup and restore, geo-replication, access control, encryption, and auditing.
• Data Engineering: Experience building ETL/ELT pipelines (Azure Data Factory, SSIS, or similar), CDC, and incremental processing.
• Automation: Experience with database CI/CD and scripting

Nice to Have Qualifications

• Data Warehousing: Experience designing enterprise data warehouses using dimensional modeling (Star Schema, Snowflake Schema, Fact and Dimension Tables).
• Modern Data Platforms: Experience with Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse, Databricks, Azure Data Lake Storage, or lakehouse architectures.
• Analytics & BI: Experience supporting Power BI, Tableau, semantic models, and self-service reporting.
• Near Real-Time & Data Science Workloads: Experience supporting low-latency data environments and ML pipelines.
• Data Governance: Experience with data classification, lineage, and retention (e.g., Microsoft Purview).
• Certifications: Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300) or equivalent.

Additional Information

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you will be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job is $160,000.00 to $200,000.00. Individual salaries within those ranges take into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to education; experience and training; licensure and certifications; knowledge and skill sets; and other business and organizational needs.

RIVO Holdings, LLC is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, citizenship status, disability, age (40 years old or older) and genetic information (including family medical history), past or present military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.