SQL DBA administrator

Cognizant; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Database Engineer (SQL Server DBA) in Des Moines, IA. The role covers DB administration across development to production, including backups, monitoring, migrations, and performance tuning.

You will work with Always On, clustering, replication, and disaster recovery, while coordinating with infrastructure and application teams. Strong PowerShell and T-SQL skills are required.

Qualifications

• Strong administration experience with Microsoft SQL Server 2016/2019/2022.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support SQL Server databases across Development, Test, UAT, and Production environments.
• Perform database code, schema, and object migrations in compliance with established change management procedures.
• Execute daily operational health checks, backup verification, job monitoring, database consistency checks, and capacity reviews.
• Install, configure, upgrade, patch, and maintain SQL Server instances while minimizing business disruption.
• Manage database storage, growth, capacity planning, and lifecycle management activities.
• Lead database migrations, refreshes, cloning activities, platform upgrades, cloud migrations, and consolidation initiatives.
• Automate routine DBA tasks using PowerShell and T-SQL.
• Develop scripts, utilities, and monitoring solutions to improve operational efficiency and reliability.
• Provide 24x7 production support and RCA for incidents and service disruptions.

Skills

SQL Server administration

T-SQL development

Performance tuning

Index optimization

Query optimization

Database design

Always On Availability Groups

Clustering

Replication

Log shipping

Backup & recovery

Security & compliance

PowerShell scripting

Windows Server administration

Azure SQL Database

Azure Managed Instance

AWS RDS SQL Server

Tools

SSMS

PowerShell

Windows Server

Job description

Job Description – Database Engineer (SQL Server DBA)

Location – Des Moines, IA / Hybrid / Onsite

Database Administration & Operations

• Manage and support SQL Server databases across Development, Test, UAT, and Production environments.
• Perform database code, schema, and object migrations in compliance with established change management procedures.
• Execute daily operational health checks, backup verification, job monitoring, database consistency checks, and capacity reviews.
• Install, configure, upgrade, patch, and maintain SQL Server instances while minimizing business disruption.
• Manage database storage, growth, capacity planning, and lifecycle management activities.

Performance Management & Optimization

• Monitor database and server performance, proactively identifying and resolving CPU, memory, I/O, storage, locking, blocking, and resource contention issues.
• Perform advanced performance tuning using:
  • SQL Profiler
  • Query Store
  • Execution Plans
  • Dynamic Management Views (DMVs)
  • Extended Events
  • Performance Monitor (PerfMon)
• Optimize SQL queries, stored procedures, indexes, database objects, and execution plans to improve application performance and reduce response times.
• Establish performance baselines and implement proactive monitoring strategies.

Database Architecture & Engineering

• Design, architect, and implement scalable, secure, and highly available SQL Server environments.
• Collaborate with Infrastructure, Server, Storage, Network, and Application teams to develop robust database platforms.
• Review database deployments and migration requests to ensure compliance with security, performance, scalability, and infrastructure standards.
• Participate in enterprise database modernization and cloud transformation initiatives.

High Availability & Disaster Recovery

• Implement and manage SQL Server HA/DR solutions, including:
  • Always On Availability Groups
  • Failover Clustering
  • Log Shipping
  • Replication
  • Disaster Recovery Planning
• Develop, maintain, and test database backup, recovery, and business continuity procedures.
• Conduct periodic restore testing and disaster recovery exercises.

Security & Compliance

• Manage database security through user provisioning, role management, permissions, and access controls.
• Ensure compliance with organizational security policies, audit requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct database security reviews and remediate vulnerabilities and risks.

Migration, Upgrades & Automation

• Lead database migrations, refreshes, cloning activities, platform upgrades, cloud migrations, and consolidation initiatives.
• Automate routine DBA tasks using:
  • PowerShell
  • T-SQL
  • SQL Server Agent Jobs
  • Automation Frameworks
• Develop scripts, utilities, and monitoring solutions to improve operational efficiency and reliability.

Incident & Production Support

• Provide 24x7 support for critical production databases and applications.
• Troubleshoot database-related incidents and service disruptions.
• Perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement preventive measures.
• Work closely with application, infrastructure, and vendor teams to ensure SLA compliance and service availability.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Technical Skills

• Strong administration experience with:
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2016/2019/2022
  • SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
• 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 (Preferred)

• Azure SQL Database
• Azure Managed Instance
• AWS RDS SQL Server
• Cloud migration tools and methodologies

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong documentation and process discipline.

Experience Range: 7-12+ Years
Role Type: Infrastructure Managed Services / Database Operations / Production Support / Database Engineering.