SQL Server Azure DBA

Senior DBA (SQL Server and Azure Data Platform)Our client, a major bank in Central, NJ, is looking for a Senior Database Administrator (SQL Server & Azure Data Platform). Hybrid commute, 5 days per 2 weeks on-site in Central NJ Locations. This is a permanent FT career opportunity, with base salary range 170 -185K DOE, plus around ~20% bonus and great benefits package.We are seeking a highly skilled Senior SQL Server DBA with deep expertise in Microsoft SQL Server and Azure data platform technologies. The ideal candidate will also have solid exposure to PostgreSQL. This role is responsible for the design, administration, automation, security, performance, and resiliency of mission-critical database platforms supporting enterprise business applications. The ideal candidate combines traditional DBA expertise with modern cloud, automation, observability, and infrastructure-as-code capabilities. This individual will serve as a senior escalation point for database operations while driving platform modernization, operational excellence, cloud adoption, and continuous improvement initiatives.Key ResponsibilitiesAdminister and support Microsoft SQL Server environments from SQL Server 2016 through SQL Server 2025, and Azure-resident database platforms.Provide L3 operational support and serve as a senior escalation resource for complex database incidents and service requests.Ensure database platform availability, reliability, performance, and recoverability for business-critical systems.Manage database lifecycle activities including installation, configuration, patching, upgrades, migrations, and decommissioning.Participate in a 24x7 on-call rotation supporting production database environments.Design, implement, and support high availability and disaster recovery solutions.Administer technologies including: SQL Server Availability Groups, Log Shipping, Transactional Replication, Failover Cluster Instances, Azure-based DR architectures.Validate and regularly test recovery procedures to ensure compliance with business RTO and RPO objectives.Manage enterprise backup, recovery, and retention strategies.Architect, deploy, and support database solutions across: Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Storage and backup services.Assess existing workloads and develop migration strategies for cloud adoption and modernization.Implement and optimize Azure-native capabilities, including monitoring, security, Azure Elastic Jobs, Azure Automation Runbooks, and Cloud Shell automation.Partner with cloud engineering teams to ensure database platforms align with enterprise Azure standards and landing zone requirements.Plan, architect, and execute seamless database migrations from on-premises environments to Azure Cloud, as well as reverse migrations from Azure Cloud to on-premises environments.Perform performance and cost engineering to optimize cloud resource utilization across Azure SQL tiers.Troubleshoot and resolve complex database and application performance issues.Partner with development teams to optimize schema design, indexing strategies, stored procedures, ETL processes, and application queries.Establish proactive performance monitoring and capacity planning practices.Automate operational processes using: PowerShell, dbatools.io, Azure Automation, Git-based source control workflows.Develop repeatable solutions that reduce manual effort and improve operational consistency.Support Infrastructure-as-Code and configuration management initiatives where applicable.Drive continuous improvement through scripting, self-service capabilities, and operational automation.Proactively monitor database health, availability, capacity, and performance using enterprise monitoring platforms.Support and optimize tools such as: OpsRamp, SQL Sentry, Azure Monitor, Log Analytics.Identify trends and risks before they impact service delivery.Lead storage growth forecasting and capacity planning efforts.Implement database security best practices and regulatory controls.Partner with Information Security teams to address vulnerabilities, hardening standards, and remediation activities.Support audit requests and regulatory examinations as required.Act as a trusted technical advisor to application, infrastructure, cloud, and security teams.Mentor junior DBAs and contribute to team knowledge sharing and technical development.Participate in architecture reviews and provide database design guidance for new initiatives.Develop and maintain operational runbooks, standards, procedures, and architecture documentation.Required Qualifications8+ years of SQL Server administration experience in large-scale enterprise environments.Deep expertise administering SQL Server 2016 through SQL Server 2025.Hands-on experience with: Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines.Advanced troubleshooting skills across the database, operating system, storage, and network layers.Strong PowerShell scripting and automation experience.Experience with database monitoring and observability platforms.Strong understanding of cloud architecture, networking, and security principles.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Preferred QualificationsExperience with dbatools and large-scale SQL Server fleet administration.Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code concepts and tools.Experience supporting hybrid cloud environments.Experience with CI/CD pipelines and database DevOps practices.Exposure to Delphix, Redgate, or similar database lifecycle management platforms.Knowledge of Azure governance, landing zones, and enterprise cloud operating models.Financial services or highly regulated industry experience.Experience with PostgreSQL is a plus.