Senior Database Administrator - MS SQL and PostgreSQL

Avatar International SA; Durban; On-site; ZAR 949,000 - 1,138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical subsidy

Provident fund

Education subsidies

Group life and disability benefits

Annual bonuses

Amenities: canteen/gym/concierge

Job summary

Avatar International SA is seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator/Intermediate DBA for on-site roles in Pretoria or Durban. You will manage enterprise-scale databases (SQL Server and PostgreSQL) with emphasis on performance, security, and reliability.

You will implement HA/DR, handle backups and migrations, optimise queries, and automate tasks using PowerShell, Python, or Bash. Strong debugging and collaboration with cross-functional teams are essential.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years in database administration in enterprise environments.
• Strong hands-on with Microsoft SQL Server and/or PostgreSQL.
• Experience with HA/DR and replication strategies.
• Experience scripting/automation (PowerShell, Python, Bash).
• Exposure to cloud platforms and modern infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Administer, maintain, and support enterprise-scale databases (SQL Server and/or PostgreSQL).
• Implement high availability and disaster recovery solutions (clustering, AGs, replication).
• Manage backups, restores, upgrades, patching, and maintenance.
• Monitor performance and optimise queries, indexes, configurations.
• Develop replication and data movement across environments.
• Automate routine tasks with scripting tools.
• Support cloud migrations including SQL Server to PostgreSQL.
• Ensure database security, access control, compliance, and governance.

Skills

SQL Server

PostgreSQL

Database Administration

High availability

Disaster recovery

Scripting: PowerShell/Python/Bash

Cloud familiarity

Education

Degree in IT/Computer Science

Tools

ClickHouse

FoundationDB

Valkey

LGTM Stack (Loki, Grafana, Tempo, Mimir)

Job description

Pretoria (Centurion) OR Durban (La Lucia) | Full-time | On-site | R85k to R102k per month

About this position

About the Role

We're seeking an experienced Senior Database Administrator / Intermediate Database Administrator who is passionate about maintaining high-performing, secure, and reliable database environments. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with strong SQL Server and PostgreSQL expertise who thrives on solving complex technical challenges, improving database performance, and supporting critical business applications.

As part of our technology team, you'll play a key role in managing and optimising enterprise database platforms, supporting high availability environments, and driving automation and continuous improvement initiatives.

What You'll Do

• Administer, maintain, and support enterprise-scale database environments (SQL Server and/or PostgreSQL)
• Implement and support high availability and disaster recovery solutions (clustering, availability groups, replication)
• Manage backups, restores, upgrades, patching, and maintenance activities
• Monitor performance and proactively identify optimisation opportunities
• Analyse and troubleshoot issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement preventative measures
• Optimise queries, indexes, and configurations for performance and reliability
• Develop and maintain replication and data movement solutions across environments
• Automate routine administration tasks using scripting tools (PowerShell, Python, Bash)
• Support infrastructure and cloud migration initiatives, including SQL Server to PostgreSQL migrations where applicable
• Ensure database security, access controls, compliance, and governance standards
• Create and maintain operational documentation, procedures, and runbooks
• Collaborate with development, infrastructure, and application support teams
• Provide guidance to junior team members and contribute to knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Participate in incident management and provide after-hours support when required

What We're Looking For

• 5–8+ years of Database Administration experience in medium to large enterprise environments
• Relevant degree/diploma in IT, Computer Science, or related field
• Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft SQL Server and/or PostgreSQL
• Candidates with strong PostgreSQL skills, or SQL Server experience coupled with some PostgreSQL exposure, are encouraged to apply
• Solid understanding of database architecture, performance tuning, and optimisation techniques across relational database platforms
• Experience with high availability and disaster recovery solutions
• Knowledge of replication technologies, backup/recovery strategies, and maintenance planning
• Experience with scripting and automation tools (PowerShell, Python, Bash)
• Exposure to cloud platforms and modern infrastructure environments (advantageous)
• Familiarity with technologies such as ClickHouse, FoundationDB, Valkey, LGTM Stack (Loki, Grafana, Tempo, Mimir) (beneficial)
• Understanding of database security, auditing, compliance, and governance practices
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Proactive, collaborative, and focused on continuous improvement

Benefits & Perks:

• R2000 Medical Aid subsidy (Discovery or Momentum)
• Provident Fund with Alexander Forbes. You can choose to contribute 3, 4 or 5% of your CTC on a monthly basis and our client will match your contribution
• School Subsidies: Creche (R800 per month to help you cover the cost up to the age of 3) / Pre-school (R400 per month up to the age of 6) / High school (depending on your years of service, we will subsidize high school fees)
• Insured Benefits: Group Life / Income Protector / Funeral Fund / Capital Disability
• 2 Annual bonuses – of up to 70% of a month's basic salary
• Canteen, Gym, Concierge, L&D etc.

Why Join Our Client?

• Work with modern database technologies and enterprise-scale environments
• Gain exposure to cloud platforms, automation frameworks, and infrastructure modernisation initiatives
• Be part of a collaborative, high-performing technology team
• Contribute to meaningful projects that directly impact business performance and reliability
• Enjoy professional growth, learning, and career development opportunities
• Join a culture that values innovation, accountability, and technical excellence

Location: Pretoria (Centurion) or Durban (La Lucia)

Work Arrangement: Full-time, on-site

If you're passionate about database administration, performance optimisation, and delivering reliable data platforms that support business success, we'd love to hear from you.