SQL Database Administrator (SQL DBA) Database Assessment & Modernization

Position - SQL Database Administrator (SQL DBA) Database Assessment & Modernization

Location Dallas or Austin, TX (4 days office / week)

CTH (3 months max) or FTE

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced SQL DBA to support SQL Database Assessment and Modernization initiatives. The candidate will be responsible for assessing existing SQL Server environments, analyzing database performance, availability, security, backup and recovery mechanisms, and identifying modernization opportunities.

The role requires strong expertise in SQL Server administration, database performance tuning, troubleshooting, migration planning, and operational health assessment.

Key Responsibilities

Database Assessment

• Conduct comprehensive assessment of SQL Server environments.
• Review database inventory, versions, configurations, and infrastructure dependencies.
• Analyze database usage patterns, workloads, and growth trends.
• Assess database operational maturity and support processes.
• Evaluate database architecture for scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
• Prepare database assessment findings and recommendations.

Performance Analysis & Optimization

• Perform database performance assessment.
• Analyze:
  • Query performance
  • Wait statistics
  • Resource utilization
  • Index effectiveness
  • Blocking and deadlocks
  • Execution plans
• Identify performance bottlenecks and optimization opportunities.
• Recommend tuning strategies for improved response time and throughput.

Database Administration

• Review SQL Server administration practices and standards.
• Assess:
  • Database maintenance jobs
  • SQL Agent jobs
  • Database consistency checks
  • Capacity management
  • Patch and upgrade management
• Ensure adherence to operational best practices.

High Availability & Disaster Recovery

• Assess current HA/DR architecture.
• Review:
  • Always On Availability Groups
  • Log Shipping
  • Replication
  • Clustering
  • Failover strategies
• Validate Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO).
• Recommend resiliency improvements.

Backup & Recovery Assessment

• Review backup strategies and retention policies.
• Validate recovery testing procedures.
• Assess disaster recovery readiness.
• Identify gaps and risks in backup and recovery frameworks.

Security & Compliance

• Audit database security configurations.
• Review:
  • User access controls
  • Authentication mechanisms
  • Encryption practices
  • Auditing and monitoring
  • Compliance requirements
• Recommend security improvements and governance controls.

Monitoring & Automation

• Review database monitoring tools and alert mechanisms.
• Assess automation opportunities for administrative tasks.
• Recommend operational efficiency improvements.

Key Deliverables

• SQL Server Assessment Report
• Database Inventory Report
• Performance Assessment Report
• Security Assessment Report
• HA/DR Assessment Report
• Backup & Recovery Assessment Report
• Migration Readiness Assessment
• Risk & Dependency Matrix
• Database Modernization Recommendations
• Effort Estimation & Roadmap

Required Technical Skills

SQL Server Administration

• Microsoft SQL Server (2012/2014/2016/2019/2022)
• SQL Server Configuration Manager
• SQL Server Agent
• Database Maintenance & Administration
• Installation, Upgrade & Patch Management

Performance Tuning

• Query Tuning
• Index Optimization
• Execution Plan Analysis
• Performance Monitoring
• Wait Statistics Analysis
• Resource Optimization

High Availability & DR

• Always On Availability Groups
• Log Shipping
• Replication
• Failover Clustering
• Backup & Recovery Strategies

Monitoring Tools

• SQL Profiler
• Extended Events
• DMVs
• Performance Monitor
• SQL Diagnostic Tools

Migration Tools

• SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA)
• Data Migration Assistant (DMA)
• Azure Database Migration Service
• SQL Assessment Tools

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities.
• Excellent stakeholder communication skills.
• Ability to conduct assessment workshops with customers.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.

• Ability to work independently in customer-facing engagements.