Senior SQL Server DBA: HA, Replication & Automation

Zensar Technologies; Durban; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Zensar Technologies seeks a hands-on Database Specialist to manage complex SQL Server estates, ensure reliability, and drive performance and scalability across our technology landscape.

You will design high availability, disaster recovery, and replication frameworks, implement data movement architectures, monitor environments, and mentor junior DBAs while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive experience in database administration within enterprise environments.
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• Strong expertise in SQL Server or similar relational database management systems.
• Proven experience with high availability, disaster recovery, and replication technologies.
• Advanced skills in database performance tuning and query optimisation.
• Experience with automation and scripting (PowerShell, Bash, or Python).
• Experience with technologies such as ClickHouse, FoundationDB, LGTM stack (Loki, Grafana, Tempo, Mimir), Rybbit, or Valkey.
• Exposure to cloud platforms and modern infrastructure environments.
• Solid understanding of security, compliance, and data governance practices.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage critical incidents independently.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across technical and business stakeholders.
• A collaborative team player who values knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain high availability and disaster recovery solutions (e.g. clustering, availability groups, replication frameworks).
• Develop and manage complex data movement and replication architectures across large database estates.
• Monitor database environments and proactively address performance, stability, and reliability issues.
• Perform advanced performance tuning using execution plans, wait statistics, and profiling tools.
• Investigate incidents, conduct root cause analysis, and implement effective remediation strategies.
• Drive database automation initiatives using scripting and self-service tooling to improve operational efficiency.
• Support infrastructure modernisation projects, including cloud adoption and optimisation initiatives.
• Ensure database security, compliance, and governance through controls such as encryption, auditing, and access management.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and operational standards.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior database administrators.
• Participate in critical incident response and provide after-hours support when required.

Skills

SQL Server

HA/DR

Replication

Performance tuning

Automation scripting

Cloud platforms

Security & governance

Incident management

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS

Tools

PowerShell

Bash

Python

ClickHouse

FoundationDB

LGTM stack

Rybbit

Valkey

Job description

Zensar Technologies seeks a hands-on Database Specialist to manage complex SQL Server estates, ensure reliability, and drive performance and scalability across our technology landscape.

You will design high availability, disaster recovery, and replication frameworks, implement data movement architectures, monitor environments, and mentor junior DBAs while collaborating with cross-functional teams.