Reed Smith LLP: SQL Database Engineer - (Remote)

Reed Smith LLP: SQL Database Engineer – (Remote)

Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. We operate as one global partnership with 3,000 people, including over 1,600 lawyers, across more than 30 offices worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain high‑performance database systems to support our applications and business operations.
• Optimize database performance through capacity planning, query optimization, index tuning, and other performance‑tuning techniques.
• Perform database engineering and administration tasks, including installation, configuration, tuning, monitoring, backup, recovery, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and implement data management policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure data integrity, availability, and security.
• Implement and maintain database security measures, including access controls, encryption, and auditing.
• Collaborate with software developers, system administrators, and other stakeholders to design and deploy database solutions that meet business requirements.
• Lead database‑related projects, including upgrades, migrations, and deployments, from planning through execution.
• Design and implement backup and recovery strategies to ensure the integrity and availability of data; perform regular backups and test restore procedures.
• Configure user access, roles, permissions, and auditing to design and maintain database security.
• Implement security best practices to protect sensitive data.
• Design, configure, and maintain high availability solutions such as AlwaysOn Availability Groups.
• Develop and test disaster recovery plans to minimize downtime in the event of failure.
• Apply patches and updates to SQL Server instances and related components in a timely manner; perform regression testing to ensure compatibility with existing applications.
• Develop proactive monitoring and alerting solutions to detect and respond to database issues in real time; create automated scripts and jobs to streamline monitoring tasks.
• Provide cloud‑related expertise and administration of PaaS‑based database platforms, including Azure SQL, Azure Data Factory, and more.
• Lead and work on projects related to the firm’s Document Management System (DMS), including upgrades, conversions, integrations, and migrations.
• Manage data transfers, document imports/exports, user access, advanced troubleshooting, and escalation with vendors for DMS systems.
• Support Knowledge Management systems, full‑text indexing/searching functions, Records Management systems, ethical wall systems, and related integrations.
• Develop documentation of database configurations, procedures, and best practices; provide training and support for application owners and developers.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, trends, and best practices in database administration and recommend innovative solutions to enhance the infrastructure.
• Maintain current skill level through formal and informal means; volunteer or serve on committees and project teams related to firm‑wide IT initiatives.
• Perform any other duties assigned; responsibilities may be supplemented as necessary.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred or comparable training and experience in an IT discipline.
• Microsoft Certifications (MCSE and/or MCDBA) a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in database administration, focusing on enterprise‑level database systems such as Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL.
• Strong proficiency in database design, implementation, optimization, and troubleshooting; extensive experience with performance tuning, query optimization, and capacity planning.
• In‑depth knowledge of database security principles and best practices.
• Hands‑on experience with backup and recovery procedures, AlwaysOn Availability Groups, multi‑tier high‑availability architecture, SAN environments, virtual SQL Server environments, PowerBI, PowerShell, and productivity tools.
• Familiarity with Document Management Systems a plus.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, to organize and prioritize workload, and remain flexible in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and people, make sound decisions, and stay calm under pressure.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, able to interact with all organizational levels.

Working Conditions

Remote work is the primary arrangement. The position may require occasional on‑site work; proximity to an office is important. Work hours may occasionally exceed the normal daily schedule.

Pay Range

Position based in Pittsburgh: $94,000 – $106,000. Actual pay may vary depending on location and experience.

Benefits

• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Medical Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Virtual Health Services
• Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Accident Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance, Life Insurance, Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Lyra Health Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Family Leave (eligible), College Savings Plan, Transportation Benefit
• Back‑up Child Care Services, College Coach Program, Pet Insurance, Paid Sick Time
• Paid Time Off (for all full‑time, non‑temporary employees)

Reed Smith is an Equal Opportunity Employer with Core Values of Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork & Respect, Innovation, and Impact. Reed Smith also provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with law, including in the application and interview process. Qualified candidates only. No search firms.