Lead SQL DBA/Cloud Engineer

Senior SQL DBA / Cloud Engineer

Engagement: Long Term Contract

Location: Houston (Remote) - In office 5-10%

Compensation: $50-75/hr

No C2C or third-party vendors at this time.

We're hiring a Senior SQL DBA / Cloud Engineer to own and stabilize a mission‑critical SQL Server environment while leading a multi‑year transition to Azure SQL Managed Instance (MI). This role is ideal for someone who has already led a cloud migration-not just supported one-and can confidently define the Azure SQL strategy from day one.

You'll balance hands‑on operational responsibility today with architectural leadership for a cloud‑first database platform.

Key Responsibilities

On‑Prem SQL Server (Immediate Ownership)

• Own day‑to‑day administration, performance, and stability of a largely on‑prem SQL Server environment
• Perform advanced performance tuning, query optimization, and index strategy
• Design and support HA/DR solutions (Always On AGs, clustering, replication)
• Lead upgrades, patching, and legacy SQL modernization
• Build and maintain SQL and PowerShell automation and monitoring
• Act as escalation support for high‑severity production issues

Azure SQL Managed Instance & Cloud Modernization

• Lead the design, build, and ownership of Azure SQL Managed Instance
• Drive on‑prem to Azure migration planning and execution
• Own MI configuration, monitoring, backup/restore, and performance
• Define cloud database standards, naming conventions, and operational runbooks
• Partner with infrastructure, security, and DevOps teams on cloud alignment

Automation & Platform Enablement

• Support the shift from ticket‑driven work to standardized, automated platforms
• Contribute to infrastructure‑as‑code and CI/CD efforts (Terraform, Azure DevOps)
• Help enable self‑service database provisioning and reduce manual intervention

Release, Scheduling & Compliance

• Support enterprise scheduling tools (e.g., ActiveBatch, Azure DevOps)
• Follow change and release management best practices
• Assist with IT SOX controls, audits, and documentation

Required Experience

• 8+ years of SQL Server DBA experience in production environments
• Deep expertise in performance tuning and SQL optimization
• Strong HA/DR experience (Always On AGs, clustering, replication)
• Hands‑on Azure experience (Azure SQL MI and/or SQL on Azure VMs)
• PowerShell scripting and operational automation
• Experience with enterprise monitoring tools
• Proven change management discipline

Preferred

• Infrastructure‑as‑code (Terraform or similar)
• CI/CD pipelines and Azure DevOps
• Microsoft SQL or Azure certifications
• SOX or compliance‑driven environments

What Success Looks Like

• You quickly stabilize legacy SQL environments
• You act as the cloud strategy lead, not a follower
• You reduce ticket volume by building repeatable, automated platforms
• You're comfortable operating in a greenfield, evolving environment

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.