Database Administrator (Microsoft SQL Server)

We are seeking an experienced Database Administrator (DBA) with strong expertise in Microsoft SQL Server to review, optimize, and enhance our current database environment. The main goal is to improve database resilience, ensure high availability, boost performance, increase redundancy, and strengthen disaster recovery readiness. This role is a part-time, contract-based position for an initial period of three months, offering flexibility to work remotely or onsite as needed.

Key Responsibilities
- Review and assess the existing Microsoft SQL Server database infrastructure, configurations, and architecture.
- Evaluate and implement database replication strategies to enhance data availability and redundancy.
- Review and optimize high-availability solutions to minimize downtime and support business continuity.
- Perform database performance analysis, including query optimization, indexing, and troubleshooting.
- Identify database bottlenecks and recommend improvements to resource utilization and response times.
- Review and strengthen backup, recovery, and disaster recovery procedures.
- Develop and validate database redundancy and failover strategies.
- Conduct database health checks, identify potential risks, and recommend corrective actions.
- Review database security, access controls, and configuration best practices.
- Test recovery procedures and failover mechanisms to assess system resilience.
- Prepare technical documentation covering database architecture, configurations, replication, backup, and recovery processes.
- Provide recommendations and an implementation roadmap for long-term database stability, scalability, and reliability.
- Coordinate with internal IT and infrastructure teams to implement approved improvements.

Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience as a Database Administrator or in a similar role.
- Strong expertise in Microsoft SQL Server administration and management.
- Proven experience with database replication, high availability, and redundancy planning.
- Solid knowledge of SQL Server performance optimization, query tuning, and indexing.
- Practical experience with database backup, restoration, disaster recovery, and failover testing.
- Ability to diagnose database performance issues and resolve complex technical problems.
- Capability to independently assess existing database environments and recommend effective solutions.
- Strong documentation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits
- Experience with SQL Server Always On Availability Groups, Failover Cluster Instances, or similar high-availability solutions.
- Familiarity with SQL Server replication technologies and synchronization strategies.
- Knowledge of database monitoring, capacity planning, and performance diagnostics.
- Understanding of infrastructure dependencies, including storage, networking, and business continuity requirements.
- Experience conducting database audits, infrastructure assessments, and resilience improvement projects.

Engagement Details
- Contract Duration: Initial three months.
- Working Hours: Part-time, with hours agreed upon based on project requirements.
- Work Mode: Remote or onsite, depending on project needs and team coordination.
- Primary Focus: Database assessment, performance optimization, high availability, replication, redundancy, and disaster recovery readiness.