SQL Server Database Administrator III
Houston, TX (100% on-site)
Duration:
6-month contract (W2, not eligible for C2C; potential for extension)
Pay:
$83-88/hr
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Database Administrator with strong experience supporting Microsoft SQL Server and open-source database platforms in enterprise environments.
This role focuses on database reliability, automation, cloud support, and operational excellence across both on-premises and cloud-based infrastructures.
The ideal candidate brings a hands-on, automation-first mindset and is comfortable working across database, infrastructure, and DevOps teams in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Database Administration & Operations
- Administer SQL Server databases across development, test, production, and disaster recovery environments.
- Install, configure, patch, upgrade, and maintain SQL Server instances following established standards.
- Administer and support PostgreSQL environments; exposure to additional database platforms is a plus.
- Perform and validate database backups, restores, disaster recovery testing, and capacity planning.
- Monitor database performance, availability, and resource utilization.
Performance, High Availability & Troubleshooting
- Diagnose and resolve SQL Server issues related to performance, blocking, connectivity, and availability.
- Support Always On Availability Groups, Distributed Availability Groups, and failover clustering.
- Collaborate with infrastructure and application teams to ensure database security, reliability, and recoverability.
Automation & Cloud Enablement
- Develop and maintain automation using PowerShell, T-SQL, and other scripting tools.
- Support database workloads deployed in cloud environments.
- Participate in CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code initiatives.
Operational Support & Collaboration
- Manage incidents, service requests, and changes through a ticketing system.
- Provide real-time support for production issues, deployments, and urgent operational needs.
- Contribute to database standards, documentation, and continuous improvement efforts.
Must Have Qualifications
- 5+ years of hands-on experience as a Database Administrator.
- Strong expertise in Microsoft SQL Server administration.
- Experience administering PostgreSQL (Postgres) in production environments.
- Hands-on experience with automation and scripting.
- Proficiency with PowerShell.
- Experience supporting databases in both AWS and Azure environments.
Nice to Have Qualifications
- Experience with Ansible or similar automation tools.
- Experience administering MongoDB.
- Python scripting experience.
- Exposure to cloud-native analytics platforms such as Snowflake.
Soft Skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to explain complex technical issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Collaborative, solution-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and ability to meet deadlines.
...