Senior SQL Server Database Administrator

VMGTS; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard Management Solutions seeks a Senior SQL Server Database Administrator to lead administration of SQL Server environments, including clustering and Always On, plus MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Access databases. You will set technical standards and drive HA/DR strategy while mentoring junior DBAs.

You will manage on‑prem and cloud deployments, perform upgrades, patching, capacity planning, performance tuning, backup/restore, and ensure security and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Eight years of hands-on database administration, with at least five years on SQL Server in production.
• Expert T-SQL and SQL scripting skills; working knowledge of PL/SQL.
• Experience designing and supporting SQL Server clustering and Always On availability groups.
• Hands-on PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and Microsoft Access administration or support.
• Experience with server maintenance, patching, and stand-alone databases; familiarity with monitoring tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead troubleshooting, setup, configuration, and resolution for on-premises and cloud SQL Server instances and clusters.
• Manage ServiceNow requests through closure and handle escalated database incidents.
• Lead capacity planning and health monitoring using Idera and SolarWinds; define alert thresholds and SLAs.
• Coordinate response to major outages and conduct root‑cause analysis and prevention.
• Plan and execute upgrades, patches, and security updates; establish patch schedules and maintenance windows.
• Own backup/restore strategy and disaster recovery exercises; ensure point-in-time recovery.
• Design, build, and configure SQL Server, MariaDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL databases.
• Tuning: query plans, indexing, stats, tempdb, storage, memory; manage replication and Always On.
• Mentor junior DBAs and deliver weekly activity reports.

Skills

T-SQL

SQL scripting

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Microsoft SQL Server

Always On availability groups

Windows Server Failover Clustering

PostgreSQL

MySQL

MariaDB

Microsoft Access

PowerShell

Idera

SolarWinds

ServiceNow

Job description

The Senior SQL Server Database Administrator leads administration of the client's Microsoft SQL Server environment, including stand‑alone instances and clustered deployments, along with MariaDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft Access databases. This role establishes technical standards, leads high availability and disaster recovery strategy, and serves as the escalation point for the Mid-Level SQL DBA.

Responsibilities

• Lead troubleshooting, setup, configuration, and error resolution for on-premises and cloud SQL Server instances and clusters.
• Manage ServiceNow requests through closure and handle escalated database incidents.
• Lead capacity planning and health monitoring using Idera and SolarWinds; define alert thresholds, dashboards, and service-level objectives.
• Coordinate response to major database outages and lead root‑cause analysis and prevention.
• Plan and execute requests for change, SQL Server upgrades, cumulative updates, and security patches.
• Establish patch schedules and risk controls and coordinate planned after‑hours maintenance with the client.
• Meet operational service-level agreements for ServiceNow tickets.
• Design, build, and configure SQL Server, MariaDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL databases.
• Troubleshoot database and application integrations, including supported SharePoint Server content and configuration databases and Microsoft Access front ends.
• Tune query plans, indexing, statistics, tempdb, storage, and memory.
• Design and maintain Always On availability groups, failover cluster instances, log shipping, and replication.
• Own backup and restore strategy, point‑in‑time recovery, and disaster recovery exercises.
• Manage database security, including logins, roles, Transparent Data Encryption, auditing, and compliance reviews.
• Develop and govern T‑SQL and PowerShell automation standards and runbooks.
• Mentor the Mid‑Level SQL DBA and deliver weekly activity reports.

Qualifications

Required

At least eight years of hands‑on database administration experience, including at least five years with Microsoft SQL Server in production.

Expert T‑SQL and SQL scripting skills and working knowledge of PL/SQL.

Proven experience designing and supporting SQL Server clustering, Always On availability groups, Windows Server Failover Clustering, and failover cluster instances.

Hands‑on PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and Microsoft Access administration or support.

Experience creating and managing stand‑alone SQL databases, server maintenance, installations, and patching.

Experience with Idera and/or SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer and ServiceNow ticketing.

Ability to work independently, collaborate across teams, and brief staff and management at all levels.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or relevant database administration credentials; previously earned MCSA or MCSE Data Management credentials are also valued.

Cloud database experience with Azure SQL, Amazon RDS, or Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

Experience in regulated enterprise environments and familiarity with NIST SP 800‑53 controls.

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Vanguard Management Solutions is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected characteristic. We are proud to be a Minority‑Owned Small Business.

For accommodation requests, please contact [e-mail].