Job Description

Job Title: Senior Cloud DBA - SQL Server - Azure Primary - Powershell Automation.- Weekend
Location: Hyderabad (Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-time
Job Summary:
We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Cloud DBA with 4-8 years of relevant experience managing large-scale, mission-critical SQL Server databases in AWS and Azure cloud environments, along with hands-on experience in other relational and NoSQL database technologies(e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB). The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with observability tools such as New Relic, RedGate, and SolarWinds DPA, and a solid understanding of FedRAMP High and IL5 security and compliance standards.
This role demands a balance of operational expertise, automation mindset, security awareness, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure highly available, performant, and secure SQL Server instances across cloud platforms.
Key Responsibilities:

• Administer, monitor, and support SQL Server databases deployed on AWS (RDS, EC2) and Azure (SQL DB, Managed Instance, SQL on VMs).
• Manage backup/recovery strategies, patching, and high availability configurations (AlwaysOn, Geo-replication, Log Shipping).
• Tune SQL queries, manage indexing strategies, and analyze wait stats using tools such as SolarWinds DPA.
• Integrate and optimize observability tooling (New Relic APM, RedGate Monitor, SQL Monitor) for real-time health, alerts, and proactive diagnostics.
• Automate operational tasks using T-SQL, PowerShell, or scripting tools, and integrate with DevOps pipelines where applicable.
• Working knowledge of PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Elasticsearch, and Redis.
• Collaborate with CloudOps, DevOps, and SRE teams on release management, deployment automation, and infrastructure as code (IaC).
• Ensure cloud resource utilization is cost-effective, applying tagging, right-sizing, and scheduled scaling.
• Maintain secure access control and auditing per FedRAMP High and IL5 security baselines; support internal/external audits and compliance reviews.
• Participate in on-call rotations for 24x7 coverage (follow-the-sun model) for incident response, issue triage, and problem resolution
• Work 4 x 10-hour days (Thursday through Sunday, approximately 10 AM to 9 PM IST, including lunch)

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 4-8 years of hands-on experience as a SQL Server DBA, with 2+ years in AWS or Azure cloud environments.
• Proficiency with SQL Server 2016+, including installation, configuration, maintenance, performance tuning, and HA/DR.
• Solid expertise in monitoring/troubleshooting tools:

• New Relic (DB Insights & APM)
• SolarWinds DPA
• RedGate
• Automation scripting using PowerShell, T-SQL, and optionally Azure CLI / AWS CLI.
• Experience working in secure and regulated environments (FedRAMP, IL5, HIPAA, etc.).
• Understanding of cost optimization practices in cloud services.
• Strong interpersonal, documentation, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications (nice to have):

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate
• AWS Certified: Database - Specialty or Solutions Architect - Associate
• Exposure to FedRAMP High and IL5 operational requirements

Roadmap to Success
First 90 Days: Getting Oriented

• Understand Current Systems:

• Onboard with DBA, CloudOps, and Observability teams.
• Review existing SQL Server deployments and architectures in AWS and Azure.

• Review and Assess:

• Analyse current monitoring, alerting, automation scripts, and security configurations.
• Understand cloud spend patterns, backup retention policies, and DR architecture.

• Quick Wins:
• Resolve immediate performance bottlenecks.
• Deploy minor automation and alerting enhancements.
• Improve observability coverage using RedGate and SolarWinds DPA.

First 6 Months: Adding Value

• Optimization & Stability:

• Tune queries and optimize configurations across production systems.
• Strengthen backup, recovery, and HA strategies.

• Automation & Cost Control:

• Build and contribute scripts for regular maintenance, scaling, and reporting.
• Implement cloud cost monitoring dashboards and provide actionable insights.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with DevOps and SRE teams to improve pipeline and deployment reliability.

First 12 Months: Driving Impact

• Reliability & Security Enhancements:

• Enforce security standards aligned to FedRAMP High and IL5, including encryption, RBAC, and audit logging.
• Support compliance reviews and audit preparation.

• Innovation & Leadership:

• Propose modernization plans (e.g., serverless databases, containerization, Azure Arc).
• Mentor peers and contribute to internal technical forums or runbooks.

• Operational Excellence:
• Help create a fully automated, secure, and observable SQL Server environment across cloud platforms.
• Be recognized as the go-to SQL Server expert for cloud-native solutions and secure database operations.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and performance incentives
• Remote-friendly, flexible work culture
• Cloud training programs and technical certifications
• Exposure to large-scale cloud architecture and DevOps best practices
• Collaborative, fast-paced engineering environment