Senior SQL DBA / Database Migration Consultant (Google Cloud Platform Migration Project)

4+ Months Contract
Remote

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Senior SQL DBA / Database Migration Consultant to join a cloud transformation team supporting the migration of a business-critical application from an on-premises environment to Google Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform). This individual will serve as the primary SQL Subject Matter Expert (SME) and work closely with Cloud Architects, Cloud Engineers, and application teams to ensure the application's database layer is successfully migrated, optimized, and supported within the target cloud environment.
The ideal candidate brings deep SQL Server administration expertise combined with proven experience supporting large-scale database migration initiatives from on-premises infrastructure to public cloud platforms. Experience with Google Cloud Platform database services and previous migrations to Google Cloud is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

Database Discovery & Assessment

Analyze existing SQL Server environments, including databases, schemas, stored procedures, jobs, integrations, and dependencies.
Perform database health assessments and identify migration risks, performance bottlenecks, and technical constraints.
Review database architecture, growth patterns, backup strategies, disaster recovery processes, and operational requirements.
Partner with application owners to understand database dependencies and critical business workloads.

Migration Planning & Design

Serve as the SQL SME throughout the migration lifecycle.
Develop database migration strategies and recommend appropriate approaches for replication, synchronization, cutover, and rollback.
Collaborate with Google Cloud Platform Architects to design target-state database solutions that meet performance, availability, security, and scalability requirements.
Assist in defining migration waves, testing plans, validation criteria, and operational readiness activities.
Provide guidance on SQL Server deployment models in cloud environments, including Compute Engine-hosted SQL Server and managed database services when appropriate.

Migration Execution & Validation

Support database migration activities including replication setup, backup/restore validation, data synchronization, and cutover planning.
Validate database performance, availability, and integrity throughout testing and production migration activities.
Troubleshoot migration-related database issues and work with infrastructure teams to resolve connectivity, latency, and dependency concerns.
Participate in production cutovers and post-migration stabilization efforts.

Performance, Reliability & Operations

Monitor and optimize SQL Server performance, indexing strategies, query execution plans, and database resource utilization.
Evaluate and implement high-availability, backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions.
Ensure cloud-hosted database environments maintain operational characteristics comparable to existing on-premises deployments.
Create migration documentation, runbooks, operational procedures, and knowledge transfer materials.

Required Qualifications:

Proven experience supporting on-premises to cloud database migration projects.
Experience planning and executing database cutovers and migration validation activities.
Strong understanding of:

Ability to collaborate effectively with cloud engineering, infrastructure, and application development teams.
Strong consulting and stakeholder communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience migrating SQL Server workloads to Google Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform).
Hands-on experience with:

Experience with cloud migration tools and database replication technologies.
Familiarity with Azure or AWS database migration projects.
Experience supporting application modernization and cloud transformation initiatives.
Google Cloud certification(s) highly preferred.

Ideal Candidate Background:

The ideal consultant has a blend of:
Senior SQL Server DBA expertise
Multiple successful on-prem to cloud migration projects
Experience partnering with Cloud Architects and Infrastructure Engineers
Strong troubleshooting and performance tuning skills
Ability to function as the database authority within a broader cloud migration team

Senior SQL DBA / Database Migration Consultant

Key skills