Title: Senior SQL Server DBA / Cloud Database Lead

Job Type: Long-term contract with a potential to go FTE

Location: Hybrid, Denver

Salary Range: $55-$65/hour

Summary

This role is the senior authority for SQL Server platforms, responsible for maintaining the stability of critical on-premises database environments while leading the organization's transition to a cloud-first database strategy. The position combines deep hands-on production ownership with architectural leadership, guiding the move to Azure SQL Managed Instance and supporting long-term operational modernization.

The successful candidate is someone who has already led cloud database migrations, can independently set technical direction, and brings a proactive mindset around automation, standardization, and scalability. This role plays a key part in shaping future database operations, enabling self-service provisioning, and ensuring compliance within a regulated enterprise environment.

Responsibilities

• Own daily operations, performance, and availability of enterprise SQL Server environments supporting business-critical workloads
• Lead troubleshooting and tuning efforts, including query optimization, indexing strategy, execution plan analysis, and resource contention resolution
• Architect, maintain, and support high availability and disaster recovery solutions including Always On Availability Groups and related technologies
• Plan and execute SQL Server upgrades, patching, and migrations with minimal disruption, including modernization of legacy platforms
• Design, build, and operate Azure SQL Managed Instance as the primary cloud database platform
• Lead on-prem to Azure database migrations, overseeing planning, testing, and production cutover
• Establish and document cloud database standards, naming conventions, and operational runbooks
• Collaborate with infrastructure, security, application, and DevOps teams to ensure alignment with enterprise standards
• Contribute to automation and infrastructure-as-code initiatives that support repeatable, self-service database provisioning
• Develop and maintain scripting and automation (PowerShell, Bash) to improve reliability, compliance, and operational efficiency
• Support enterprise job scheduling, release workflows, and change management processes
• Participate in 24/7 escalation support for critical production incidents
• Provide audit support for IT SOX controls, including evidence collection and access reviews

Skills

• Extensive experience administering SQL Server in high-availability, production environments
• Advanced performance tuning expertise, including query optimization and index design
• Strong background in HA/DR architecture (Always On, clustering, replication)
• Hands-on experience with Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL Server in Azure
• Automation experience with PowerShell and scripting for operational workflows
• Familiarity with monitoring platforms such as SolarWinds DPA, SQL Sentry, Grafana, or similar
• Working knowledge of infrastructure-as-code and cloud automation concepts (Terraform exposure a plus)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.