SQL Server Database Administrator

Cognizant; Dallas (NC); Remote; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

Paid holidays + PTO

401(k) plan

Long-term/Short-term Disability

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking an experienced SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) to join our enterprise infrastructure team. The role focuses on administration, performance optimization, security, availability, and modernization of mission-critical Microsoft SQL Server environments.

The candidate will support large-scale production systems, implement HA/DR solutions, and work with cloud-based database services, including Azure SQL options.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of SQL Server Database Administration experience.
• SQL Server 2012/2014/2016/2017/2019+ versions.
• HA/DR technologies: Always On, Clustering, Replication, Mirroring, Log Shipping.
• Performance Tuning & Query Optimization.
• Backup & Recovery Administration.
• T-SQL Development and Troubleshooting.
• Production Support Experience.
• Windows Server Administration.

Responsibilities

• Administer, maintain, patch, upgrade, and optimize SQL Server environments across production, development, test, and DR platforms.
• Monitor database health, performance, availability, and capacity; proactively tune queries, procedures, indexes, statistics, and execution plans.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex database issues including bottlenecks, blocking, deadlocks, and outages.
• Design and support HA/DR solutions (Always On, Clustering, Replication, Mirroring, Log Shipping).
• Develop and maintain backup, recovery, business continuity, and DR strategies for data integrity and availability.
• Support application development teams by optimizing T-SQL code, procedures, functions, views, and triggers.

Skills

SQL Server DBA

HA/DR

Performance tuning

Backup & Recovery

T-SQL

Production support

Windows Server

Tools

Azure SQL Database

Azure Managed Instance

SQL Server on Azure VMs

PowerShell

Jenkins

CI/CD

Job description

Job Title: Job Title: SQL Server Database Administrator

Job Location: Remote, USA.

Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) to join our enterprise infrastructure team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for the administration, performance optimization, security, availability, and modernization of mission-critical Microsoft SQL Server environments. This role requires deep expertise in SQL Server administration, High Availability/Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) technologies, performance tuning, automation, and cloud-based database services.

The successful candidate will support large-scale production environments, collaborate with development and infrastructure teams, and drive database modernization initiatives within a highly available, enterprise-grade ecosystem.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual salary for this position is between $80,000 to $95,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

In this role, you will

• Administer, maintain, patch, upgrade, and optimize Microsoft SQL Server environments across production, development, test, and disaster recovery platforms.
• Monitor database health, performance, availability, and capacity while performing proactive tuning of queries, stored procedures, indexes, statistics, and execution plans.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex database issues including performance bottlenecks, blocking, locking, deadlocks, and system outages.
• Design, implement, and support High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HA/DR) solutions including Always On Availability Groups, Clustering, Replication, Mirroring, and Log Shipping.
• Develop, test, and maintain backup, recovery, business continuity, and disaster recovery strategies to ensure data integrity and availability.
• Support application development teams by creating, optimizing, and troubleshooting T-SQL code, stored procedures, functions, views, and triggers.
• Participate in database architecture reviews, migration projects, upgrades, and modernization initiatives to improve scalability and performance.
• Automate routine DBA tasks using SQL Server Agent, PowerShell, and enterprise automation tools to enhance operational efficiency.
• Implement and maintain database monitoring solutions, dashboards, operational documentation, standards, and runbooks.
• Administer and support Azure-based database platforms, including Azure SQL Database, Azure Managed Instance, SQL Server on Azure VMs, and Azure Storage services.
• Collaborate with infrastructure, application, cloud, and security teams to support incidents, audits, deployments, compliance requirements, and enterprise projects.
• Provide expert production support, participate in on-call rotations, and serve as a trusted advisor for database performance, security, availability, and operational excellence.

What you’ll need to succeed (required skills)

• 8+ years of SQL Server Database Administration experience
• SQL Server 2012/2014/2016/2017/2019+
• HA/DR technologies (Always On, Clustering, Replication, Mirroring, Log Shipping)
• Performance Tuning & Query Optimization
• Backup & Recovery Administration
• T-SQL Development and Troubleshooting
• Production Support Experience
• Windows Server Administration

Preferred Skills

• Azure SQL Database and Azure Managed Instance
• PowerShell Automation
• Idera, Redgate, SQL Sentry, or SolarWinds DPA
• Jenkins and CI/CD integrations
• SSIS, SSRS, Oracle GoldenGate
• Insurance, Financial Services, Healthcare, or Claims Management domain experience

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Work model:

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a Remote role in USA.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.