Senior Database Architect

Visual Connections, LLC has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Database Architect to join our team in McLean, VA. This role combines deep hands‑on technical expertise with architectural leadership. You will be responsible for defining, designing, and governing enterprise‑grade data platforms across Azure and on‑premises environments, with a strong emphasis on data security, scalability, resiliency, and performance. You will serve as a technical authority for database and data platform decisions while partnering closely with engineering, security, and business stakeholders. Architect, design, implement, and support enterprise SQL Server environments (2016, 2019, 2022) across Azure and on‑premises platforms, ensuring high availability, fault tolerance, security, and performance. Architect and manage distributed database environments consisting of multiple interconnected databases, ensuring seamless data integration, consistency, secure access, and reliable cross‑database communication across applications and services. Define database architecture standards, best practices, and reference architectures for transactional and analytical workloads. Lead database performance strategy, including indexing standards, query optimization, capacity planning, and proactive monitoring. Architect and oversee scalable data pipelines and ETL/ELT frameworks using Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, Azure Synapse Pipelines, and related services. Design and govern data models supporting OLTP and OLAP workloads, including normalized schemas, star/snowflake schemas, and hybrid architectures. Develop and review complex SQL solutions, stored procedures, and data access patterns to ensure performance, maintainability, and security. Architect enterprise data platforms leveraging Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS), Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure SQL Database, and other Azure‑native data services. Establish data governance practices including data security, access controls, encryption, auditing, compliance, backup/recovery, and disaster recovery strategies. Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues across application, database, and infrastructure tiers, serving as an escalation point for critical data‑related incidents. Design and implement automation solutions using scripting, scheduling, and infrastructure‑as‑code approaches to improve operational efficiency and reliability. Provide architectural guidance and technical mentorship to database engineers and developers. Partner with application development, DevOps, cloud, and security teams to review designs and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards. Participate in Agile ceremonies, contribute to technical backlog refinement, and drive continuous improvement across data platforms. Qualifications Master’s degree in computer science or related degree and 10 years of experience as a Database Engineer. The ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust with the Federal government is mandatory. Please note that employer‑based sponsorship is not available for this role. Legal permanent residents must have maintained residency status in the United States for a minimum of the past three years. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Expert‑level knowledge of SQL Server, T‑SQL, Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Factory, and Microsoft Fabric. Proven experience architecting and managing complex, high‑availability database environments. Strong understanding of cloud‑based data architecture patterns and hybrid cloud integrations. Experience with CI/CD and database version control using Azure DevOps or similar tools. Familiarity with Azure Web Apps and application‑to‑database integration patterns. Microsoft Azure certifications (Azure Fundamentals, Azure Data Engineer, or Architecture‑related certifications preferred). Strong customer‑facing skills with the ability to translate business requirements into technical architecture. Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence technical direction. Work Location Hybrid/Remote, office located in McLean, VA Benefits Full Medical, Dental, Prescription and Vision health care 11 Paid Holidays annually Paid time off Short Term, Long Term Disability and Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Training and Development opportunities including professional certification and educational reimbursement Visual Connections, LLC provides employment opportunities for all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We are a Service‑Disabled, Veteran‑Owned Small Business; and a Certified Maryland Business Enterprise. We were established in 2007 to provide public and private sector clients with robust web‑based applications, Health IT and Portfolio and Program Management services. We have proven ourselves to be valuable partners who can deliver both qualitative and quantitative results to our clients. Our versatile, efficient and experienced team has a stellar record of past performance, working with the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). With an employee base well versed in different disciplines, we are able to deliver high quality customizable solutions. #J-18808-Ljbffr Visual Connections, LLC