Senior MS SQL Server Administrator

Senior MS SQL Server Administrator General Dallas , Texas 10403 Sep 2, 2026 Senior Microsoft SQL Server Administrator Position Summary Buchanan Technologies is seeking a Senior Microsoft SQL Server Administrator to support a client environment in the Dallas - Fort Worth area. This is a hands-on, security-focused DBA role responsible for strengthening the security posture of enterprise SQL Server environments while supporting a major modernization initiative. The successful candidate will lead database vulnerability remediation efforts and help plan, test, and execute the upgrade of existing SQL Server 2016 environments to SQL Server 2025 . This role requires a strong combination of traditional SQL Server administration, production support, database security, vulnerability remediation, and upgrade/migration experience. The ideal candidate is a senior-level DBA who is comfortable working in enterprise production environments, collaborating with infrastructure and security teams, and driving remediation activities from identification through validation and closure. Key Responsibilities Administer and support Microsoft SQL Server environments in enterprise and highly available production environments. Lead SQL Server vulnerability assessment, remediation, and security-hardening activities. Review vulnerability findings and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk, CVE severity, operational impact, and established remediation SLAs. Apply SQL Server patches, cumulative updates, security updates, and configuration changes. Identify and remediate insecure SQL Server configurations and unsupported components. Review and remediate excessive database and server-level permissions. Evaluate privileged accounts, service accounts, authentication methods, and access controls. Implement and maintain database encryption, auditing, logging, and security controls. Perform access reviews and support privileged access remediation initiatives. Plan, test, and execute SQL Server upgrades and migrations, including the transition from SQL Server 2016 to SQL Server 2025. Develop upgrade plans, rollback procedures, testing strategies, and implementation documentation. Validate application compatibility, database performance, integrations, and availability before and after upgrades. Troubleshoot database performance, availability, connectivity, and security-related issues. Partner with cybersecurity, infrastructure, application, and operations teams to resolve database vulnerabilities. Participate in formal change management and incident response processes. Document remediation actions, security configurations, upgrade procedures, risks, and validation results. Ensure SQL Server environments remain stable, secure, performant, and compliant with organizational standards. Required Qualifications 7+ years of Microsoft SQL Server DBA experience supporting enterprise or highly available production environments. 3+ years of hands-on SQL Server security and vulnerability remediation experience. Demonstrated experience with: Vulnerability scanning and remediation SQL Server patching and security updates Access and permissions reviews Privileged access remediation Service account security SQL authentication and Windows authentication Security validation and remediation verification 2+ years of experience planning, testing, and executing SQL Server upgrades or migrations in production environments. Experience remediating database security findings involving excessive permissions, insecure configurations, unsupported components, authentication, encryption, and auditing. Working knowledge of CVE prioritization, vulnerability management, remediation SLAs, and security documentation. Strong understanding of database backup, recovery, availability, performance, and production support practices. Experience working within structured change management and incident management processes. Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills. Preferred Qualifications Experience working with one or more recognized security or compliance frameworks, including: NIST

PCI DSS

HIPAA

SOX

ISO 27001

Additional experience with enterprise security teams, vulnerability management platforms, highly available SQL Server environments, or large-scale SQL Server modernization initiatives is highly desirable. What Buchanan Is Looking For This position is best suited for a hands-on senior DBA with a strong security mindset . Candidates should be able to demonstrate specific examples of identifying and remediating SQL Server vulnerabilities—not simply supporting databases in a traditional DBA capacity. Strong candidates will be able to discuss: Security vulnerabilities they personally remediated SQL Server hardening techniques they implemented Privileged access or permissions issues they resolved Patching strategies for production SQL environments SQL Server upgrades or migrations they led Methods used to validate successful remediation Experience balancing security requirements with application availability and business continuity Why Buchanan Technologies Buchanan Technologies provides enterprise technology services and consulting solutions to organizations across North America. Our consultants work alongside client technology teams to solve complex infrastructure, security, application, and operational challenges. This opportunity provides the chance to take ownership of a highly visible SQL Server security and modernization initiative while working within an established enterprise IT organization. The position is structured as a contract-to-hire opportunity for a senior professional interested in making a long-term impact within the client environment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Buchanan Associates