SQL Server SME / Lead DBA

Location: Sydney, Australia

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Employment Type: Contract – 12 Months (Potential Extension)

Working Days: 5 days per week

Experience: 8+ Years

Interview Mode: MS Teams

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced SQL Server Subject Matter Expert (SME) / Lead Database Administrator (DBA) to manage, optimize, and maintain enterprise SQL Server database environments.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience in SQL Server administration, performance tuning, database architecture, high availability, disaster recovery, and production support.

The successful candidate will also provide technical leadership, mentor database professionals, drive automation initiatives, and ensure the availability, performance, security, and reliability of critical database systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of SQL Developers and Database Administrators.
• Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Microsoft SQL Server and related technologies.
• Design, implement, and maintain scalable and efficient SQL Server database solutions.
• Develop, maintain, and optimize stored procedures, functions, and complex queries using T-SQL.
• Perform advanced database performance tuning, query optimization, and index management.
• Monitor database health, performance, security, and data integrity.
• Manage database backup, recovery, and archiving procedures.
• Implement and maintain High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) solutions, including Always On, Log Shipping, Replication, and Mirroring.
• Handle critical production incidents (P1/P2), participate in bridge calls, and prepare Root Cause Analysis (RCA) documentation.
• Maintain database operational documentation, SOPs, and knowledge bases.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand business and technical requirements.
• Support audit requirements and provide necessary compliance evidence.
• Manage certificate renewals in cluster environments.
• Perform database capacity planning across production and non-production environments.
• Implement automation and self-healing mechanisms for recurring database issues.
• Standardize audit logging and compliance reporting processes.

Required Technical Skills

• 8+ years of experience in Microsoft SQL Server Database Administration.
• Strong expertise in T-SQL, stored procedures, query optimization, and performance tuning.
• Extensive experience with SQL Server High Availability and Disaster Recovery solutions.
• Hands-on experience with Always On Availability Groups, Failover Clustering, Log Shipping, and Replication.
• Strong knowledge of database backup, restoration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with SQL Server production support and critical incident management.
• Knowledge of PowerShell scripting and database automation.
• Experience with database monitoring tools such as Foglight, Splunk, and AppDynamics.
• Understanding of Windows Server Administration, DNS, Active Directory, and networking fundamentals.
• Familiarity with ITIL processes, including Incident, Change, and Problem Management.

Good to Have Skills

• Knowledge of Azure SQL Managed Instance (Azure MI).
• Exposure to Sybase databases.
• Experience with ServiceNow (SNOW), Control-M, DDBoost, Windows Performance Monitor, and SSRS.
• Knowledge of capacity planning and enterprise database monitoring.
• Experience with audit, compliance, and security management.
• Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate or MCSE certification.
• ITIL Foundation certification.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline.