Senior SQL Server DBA & Database Reliability Engineer

Cognizant; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Database Engineer (SQL Server DBA) to manage and optimize SQL Server databases across Dev, Test, UAT, and Production in a hybrid environment.

You will lead migrations, implement HA/DR, perform performance tuning, backups, and security reviews while collaborating with infra teams and applications teams. The role demands 7–12+ years of experience, strong T-SQL, Always On, clustering, and PowerShell automation.

Qualifications

• Strong administration experience withMicrosoft SQL Server 2016/2019/2022
• Expertise in T-SQL Development, Performance Tuning, Index Optimization, Query Optimization, Database Design
• Hands-on experience with Always On Availability Groups, Clustering, Replication, Log Shipping
• Experience with backup and recovery strategies and tools
• Strong understanding of database security, compliance, and auditing
• Experience with PowerShell scripting and automation
• Knowledge of Windows Server administration and infrastructure concepts
• Cloud/Modern Platform Exposure (Azure/AWS) preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage and support SQL Server databases across Development, Test, UAT, and Production environments.
• Perform migrations of code, schema, and objects per change control.
• Conduct daily health checks, backups, job monitoring, and capacity reviews.
• Install, configure, upgrade, patch, and maintain SQL Server instances.
• Implement HA/DR solutions (Always On, failover, log shipping).
• Collaborate with infra, storage, network, and app teams for robust platforms.
• Automate routine tasks with PowerShell/T-SQL/Agent Jobs.
• Provide 24x7 production support and RCA-based improvements.

Skills

SQL Server

SSMS

T-SQL

Performance Tuning

Index Optimization

Query Optimization

Database Design

Always On AG

Clustering

Replication

Log Shipping

Backup & Recovery

PowerShell

Windows Server

Cloud Experience

Tools

SSMS

Azure SQL Database

Azure Managed Instance

AWS RDS SQL Server

Job description

Cognizant in Des Moines, IA is seeking a Database Engineer (SQL Server DBA) to manage and optimize SQL Server databases across Dev, Test, UAT, and Production in a hybrid environment.

You will lead migrations, implement HA/DR, perform performance tuning, backups, and security reviews while collaborating with infra teams and applications teams. The role demands 7–12+ years of experience, strong T-SQL, Always On, clustering, and PowerShell automation.