SQL Database Administrator

HCL Technologies Limited; New Jersey; On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HCL Technologies Limited in the United States (New Jersey) seeks a Senior SQL Server Migration Lead to drive a multi-wave upgrade of ~40 TB databases from SQL Server 2008/2012 to SQL Server 2022. You will own the migration strategy, assess the existing landscape, and coordinate with ETL and applications teams to ensure zero disruption to operations.

The role requires hands-on upgrade experience across large estates, knowledge of SQL Server architecture, and familiarity with SSRS/Power BI data

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience upgrading SQL Server from 2008/2012 to 2022.
• Knowledge of collation, storage, SQL Agent, SSIS Catalog, backups, and performance baselining.
• Experience with 100+ database estates and wave-based migration planning.
• Familiarity with SSRS and Power BI data source repointing (not report development).
• Experience with Agile delivery and fixed-price engagements.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery and assessment of the SQL Server landscape (edition, patch level, collation, and job scheduler estate).
• Define migration strategy, wave plan, and migration runbook.
• Plan and execute migrations across Waves, including partitioning/reorganization.
• Coordinate with ETL on connection strings, server references, and config remediation.
• Lead production cutover, rollback planning, and post-go-live support.
• Maintain risk/dependency register and scale through governance.

Skills

SQL Server upgrade/migration

SQL Server architecture

Large-scale migration planning

SSRS/Power BI data source repointing

Agile delivery

Job description

Lead the technical migration of SQL Server databases (~40 TB) from SQL Server 2008/2012 to SQL Server 2022, across wave-based migration cycles, ensuring zero disruption to laboratory and business operations.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong hands-on expertise in SQL Server 2008/2012 to SQL Server 2022 upgrade/migration projects.
• Deep knowledge of SQL Server architecture: collation, storage engine, SQL Agent, SSIS Catalog, backup/DR, and performance baselining.
• Experience with large-scale, wave-based migration planning (100+ database estates).
• Familiarity with SSRS and Power BI data source repointing (working knowledge, not report development).
• Experience operating under Agile delivery with milestone-based, fixed-price engagements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead discovery and assessment of the existing SQL Server landscape — edition, patch level, collation/NLS settings, schema/stored procedure/trigger inventory, and job scheduler estate.
• Define and own the migration strategy, wave plan, and migration runbook
• Plan and execute database migrations across Waves, including partitioning/reorganization where identified.
• Coordinate with the ETL team on connection string, server reference, and configuration remediation tied to database migration.
• Lead production cutover, rollback planning, and post-go-live hyper care defect resolution.
• Maintain the Dependency/RAID register for migration-related risks (environment readiness, access provisioning, performance baselines) and es**c**ale through governance.

A candidate’s pay within the range will depend on their skills, experience, education, and other factors permitted by law. This role may also be eligible for performance-based bonuses subject to HCL policies. In addition, this role is eligible for the following benefits subject to HCL policies: medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, life, accidental death & dismemberment, and disability insurance; employee assistance program; 401(k) retirement plan; 10 days of paid time off (PTO) per year (some positions are eligible for unlimited PTO); and 10 paid holidays per year.

Disclaimer

HCL is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, religion, sex, color, age, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, physical disability or genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with federal, state, and/or local law. Should any applicant have concerns about discrimination in the hiring process, they should provide a detailed report of those concerns to [e-mail] for investigation.