SQL Server DBA

Cognizant; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a SQL Server DBA for a full-time opportunity in Des Moines, IA, working hybrid with 3 days on the client’s office. This role requires valid US work authorization and offers 3 days onsite per week.

The candidate will manage SQL Server databases across Development, Test, UAT and Production, perform migrations, monitor performance, and implement HA/DR, security, and automation. Strong experience and collaboration with infra teams are essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience as a SQL Server DBA.
• Strong administration experience with SQL Server 2016/2019/2022 and SSMS.
• Hands-on with HA/DR, backups, security, and monitoring.
• Experience in Windows Server and infrastructure concepts.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support SQL Server databases across Development, Test, UAT, and Production environments.
• Perform migrations of code, schema, and objects per change management procedures.
• Execute daily operational health checks, backup verification, job monitoring, and capacity reviews.
• Install, configure, upgrade, patch, and maintain SQL Server instances while minimizing business disruption.
• Provide 24x7 production support and incident resolution.

Skills

SQL Server Administration

Performance Tuning

Backup & DR Planning

Security & Compliance

PowerShell Automation

Tools

SQL Server 2016/2019/2022

SSMS

T-SQL

SQL Server Agent Jobs

Always On Availability Groups

Clustering

Replication

Log Shipping

Azure SQL Database

Azure Managed Instance

AWS RDS SQL Server

Job description

Cognizant is seeking a SQL Server DBA for a full-time opportunity in Des Moines, IA. The candidate needs to work out of the client’s office 3 days a week. This is a Hybrid role. Qualified applicants must have valid US work authorization. Cognizant will not offer visa sponsorship now or anytime in the future.

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.

Qualifications:

Candidates must have over 7 years of experience with the technical skills below:

• 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