Database Administrator

Remote Position

Skill Matrix Required

Seeking senior SQL Server DBA to lead upgrade from 2017 to 2022 and support current on-prem VM environments. Must have strong experience in high availability, clustering, and disaster recovery in virtualized infrastructure.


We are seeking a senior-level SQL Server DBA to support a critical upgrade project from SQL Server2017 to 2022 . This role is focused on managing and upgrading SQL Server environments hosted on on-premises virtual machines (VMs) . The ideal candidate will have deep experience with high availability configurations, clustering, and disaster recovery in a virtualized infrastructure.


Key Responsibilities

• Lead the upgrade of SQL Server 2017 to 2022 in a complex, on-prem VM-based environment
• Maintain and troubleshoot Always On Availability Groups and Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC)
• Collaborate with infrastructure teams to manage VM configurations, storage, and networking
• Support both production and disaster recovery (DR) environments
• Perform performance tuning, capacity planning, and backup/restore operations
• Create and maintain detailed documentation and procedures
• Provide on-call support as needed
• Provide direction as needed for other DBA contractors on work required to be performed
• Provide knowledge transfer to internal teams

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of SQL Server DBA experience in enterprise environments
• Proven experience upgrading SQL Server 2017 to 2022 on virtualized infrastructure
• Expertise in clustering, high availability, and DR strategies using VMs
• Strong understanding of Hyper-V or VMware environments
• Proficiency in T-SQL and PowerShell scripting
• Experience managing SQL Server on Windows Server in an on-premises data center
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
• Experience with SQL Server components such as SSRS, SSIS, and Analysis Services

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or equivalent
• Familiarity with VM backup and snapshot strategies
• Experience with monitoring tools like Redgate®, SolarWinds®, or Sentry One®
• Knowledge of hybrid DR strategies involving off-site or co-located data centers
• Knowledge of current Microsoft SQL Server licensing
• Experience in using and configuring 3rd party tools such as Redgate® monitoring tools
• Understanding of Active Directory configuration requirements , including:
  • Cluster Name Object (CNO) requirements for pre staged SQL Computer Objects
  • Delegation of rights to service accounts for dynamic object creation within specific OUs
• Understanding of DNS configuration requirements to support dynamic updates for SQL Server listeners and CNOs in high availability scenarios

Note: While the contractor will not directly manage AD or DNS, they will work closely with the Server Support team to facilitate necessary changes and ensure proper configuration.

Required/Desired Skills:
Skill Required /Desired Amount Candidate Experience MS SQL Server DBA experience Required 7 Years Proven experience upgrading SQL Server 2017 to 2022 on virtualized infrastructure Required 3 Years Experiencing upgrading SQL server 2017 to 2022 Required 2 Years Experience maintaining and setup of High Availability and Clustering Required 5 Years Hyper-V or VMware virtualization knowledge Required 2 Years Proficient writing T-SQL and PowerShell scripts Required 7 Years Windows Server 2022 experience Required 2 Years Experience with setup and maintiance of SQL server components such as SSRS, SSIS and Analysis Services Required 7 Years Strong problem-solving and communication skills Required 7 Years Microsoft DBA Certification Required 5 Years VM backup/snapshot strategy experience Highly desired 4 Years Experience with Hybrid disaster recovery strategies Highly desired 4 Years Active directory Knowledge - Cluster Name Objects(CNO) in HA setups Highly desired 5 Years Familiarity and experience with Microsoft SQL Server licensing options/strategies Highly desired 2 Years Familiarity with VM backup and snapshot strategies Highly desired 2 Years Monitoring Tools such as Redgate, Solar Winds or Sentry One Desired 3 Years DNS configuration for SQL listeners and CNO's in HA setup Nice to have 3 Years Delegation of rights to service accounts for dynamic object creation within specific OUs Nice to have 2 Years