Senior MSSQL L3/SME DBA

Job Description

Job Title: SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) – Performance Tuning Focus

Job Summary:

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented SQL Server DBA with a strong focus on performance tuning and optimization. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing and maintaining SQL Server databases, with a primary emphasis on diagnosing and resolving performance issues, ensuring high availability, and improving query response times. You will collaborate with developers, system architects, and IT operations to ensure efficient database performance across our environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Monitor and analyze SQL Server performance using DMVs, Extended Events, Query Store, and third-party tools .

Identify bottlenecks in T-SQL code, indexing strategies, and execution plans.

Optimize queries and stored procedures to enhance performance and resource utilization.

Design, configure, and maintain database instances (SQL Server 2016/2019/2022 or later).

Implement index management strategies (creation, maintenance, and removal).

Configure and tune SQL Server for optimal performance (e.g., memory, parallelism, I/O).

Perform database health checks and capacity planning.

Troubleshoot locking, blocking, deadlocks, and other concurrency issues.

Support high availability and disaster recovery solutions (Always On, log shipping, backups/restores).

Assist developers with best practices for database access and query writing.

Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for performance tuning processes.

Design and manage Always On Availability Groups and related high availability/disaster recovery configurations.

Qualifications:

15+ years of experience as a SQL Server DBA with a strong background in performance tuning.

In-depth knowledge of SQL Server internals, execution plans, and indexing.

Proficiency in T-SQL and understanding of query optimization techniques.

Experience with SQL Server versions 2019 and above.

Familiarity with performance monitoring tools and practices.

Knowledge of Windows Server and SQL Server clustering/HA features.

Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.

Excellent communication and documentation abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate or related certification.

Experience with Azure SQL, Managed Instances, or hybrid cloud environments.

Familiarity with DevOps pipelines and automation tools (e.g., PowerShell, SQL Agent Jobs).

Understanding of security best practices and compliance standards.

Education & Experience Requirements

Education - Bachelor or higher degree.

15+ years’ experience in working in IT services organization.

Knowledge, Understand the ITIL process.

In client facing role(s) for at least 3 years.

Excellent Documentations skillsCompany Description

Universal provides the technology and experience to help our clients succeed.

We are a technology solutions provider focused on helping clients realize business strategies through technology and innovation. Our key strengths are:

Broad sector experience - Finance, Retail, Healthcare, Professional Svcs, etc.

Deep technology domain expertise - Cloud, Datacenter, SD Networks, Compute, Collaboration, Mobility, Security, Cloud, Operations and Analytics

Engineering-heavy business model - ~75% of employees from technology disciplines

Flat organizational structure - greater agility, higher client visibility

Full-time

Hybrid remote