Senior MS SQL Database Administrator

Varmoda; Mechanicsville (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Varmoda is seeking a Senior MS SQL Database Administrator to support SQL Server and cloud database environments for a tolling engineering and operations team. This role will administer, upgrade, migrate, tune, and maintain high-volume Microsoft SQL Server databases, including E-ZPass tolling environments and databases exceeding 2 TB.

The position requires hands-on experience with SQL Server upgrades, performance tuning, deadlock resolution, and HA configurations, with cloud experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• 6+ years of Microsoft SQL Server DB-management experience.
• 3+ years SQL Server performance-tuning experience.
• 3+ years upgrading tolling SQL Server environments (2012→2019).

Responsibilities

• Administer, monitor, and tune enterprise SQL Server databases.
• Upgrade tolling environments from SQL Server 2012 to 2019.
• Diagnose deadlocks, blocking, and resource contention.
• Tune very large databases (2 TB+) and optimize queries.
• Configure and support clustering, mirroring, and HA environments.
• Support cloud databases (Azure, Snowflake, Databricks).
• Participate in rotating app and help-desk duties.

Skills

SQL Server

Performance tuning

Deadlock analysis

Query optimization

Windows server

Azure

Documentation

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science/Information Systems

Equivalent skills/experience

Tools

SSIS

SSRS

SSAS

Azure SQL Database

Job description

Varmoda is seeking a Senior MS SQL Database Administrator to support SQL Server and cloud database environments for a tolling engineering and operations team. This position will administer, upgrade, migrate, tune, and maintain high-volume Microsoft SQL Server databases, including E-ZPass tolling environments and very large databases exceeding 2 TB.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer, support, monitor, and tune enterprise Microsoft SQL Server databases.
• Upgrade E-ZPass tolling SQL Server environments from SQL Server 2012 to SQL Server 2019.
• Conduct compatibility evaluations using Query Tuning Assistant and Database Migration Assistant.
• Diagnose production deadlocks, blocking, and resource contention using:
  • Extended Events
  • Query Store
  • Wait-statistics analysis
• Tune very large databases of 2 TB or more.
• Optimize indexes, long-running workloads, stored procedures, and T-SQL queries.
• Install, upgrade, patch, and migrate Microsoft SQL Server databases.
• Perform SQL Server 2022 and newer installations using failover clustering.
• Configure and support SQL Server clustering, mirroring, and high-availability environments.
• Monitor databases to maintain uptime, availability, reliability, and performance.
• Troubleshoot database and application issues involving connectivity, access, security, and configuration.
• Support and maintain SSIS, SSRS, and SSAS solutions.
• Use operating-system scripting utilities for database maintenance, diagnostics, and operational support.
• Review existing database implementations and recommend, execute, or direct required improvements.
• Support Azure and other cloud-database environments.
• Participate in rotating application and help-desk support responsibilities.
• Create and communicate requirements, design artifacts, technical findings, and implementation recommendations.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related discipline, or equivalent skills, knowledge, and professional experience.
• Six or more years of Microsoft SQL Server database-management experience.
• Three or more years of SQL Server performance-tuning experience.
• At least three to four years of hands-on experience upgrading E-ZPass tolling SQL Server environments from SQL Server 2012 to SQL Server 2019.
• Three or more years diagnosing and resolving deadlocks and blocking in tolling production workloads.
• Two or more years tuning very large databases of 2 TB or more.
• Three or more years of experience with SSIS, SSRS, and SSAS.
• Experience coding and debugging Transact-SQL.
• Four or more years installing, upgrading, patching, and migrating SQL Server databases.
• At least one year of experience with Azure, Snowflake, or Databricks.
• Strong experience with SQL Server clustering, mirroring, failover clustering, and high availability.
• Experience supporting SQL Server on Windows platforms.
• Knowledge of data-modeling principles.
• Ability to independently manage complex database administration and troubleshooting assignments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SQL Server 2019 or newer.
• Experience installing and supporting SQL Server 2022 or newer.
• Experience with Azure cloud databases.
• Exposure to Snowflake or Databricks.
• Experience supporting mission-critical tolling systems.
• Experience working within engineering and operations teams.
• Willingness to maintain current skills through continuing technical education.

Preferred Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate
• Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
• Relevant Snowflake or Databricks certification