Principal Database Administrator

SEI•Upper Providence Township, PA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Database Administrator works in Information Technology and is responsible for independently analyzing, troubleshooting, and resolving database issues in real-time, ensuring end-to-end problem resolution. They manage multiple projects simultaneously with a strong focus on priorities and deadlines, refine and automate routine processes, maintain issue tracking, and document all changes for future reference. This role involves proactively monitoring and maintaining MS SQL databases, ensuring database backups are completed in accordance with policy and can be restored successfully. The position requires performing database and SQL query analysis, tuning, and optimization for high availability, performance, and scalability, as well as implementing patches, updates, and fixes in compliance with established Change Management processes. The Principal Database Administrator works closely with application teams to validate database failover configurations and ensure adherence to best practices, and collaborates with infrastructure teams (Network, Compute, and Storage) to deliver and maintain functional database clusters. They develop and maintain scripts/utilities to automate repetitive tasks, implement databases in cloud environments, and migrate on-premises databases to cloud infrastructure. Additionally, this role involves deploying database security and encryption features and providing 24x7 production support in collaboration with team members, including On-Call support as needed. The position requires coordinating with SEI teams to resolve infrastructure-related issues, maintaining strong communication skills, demonstrating the ability to multi-task, and working various shift timings based on business requirements. Staying up to date with new technologies and contributing to standards and best practices are also key aspects of this role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, or foreign equivalent, in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical/Electronic Engineering or another related field plus seven (7) years post-baccalaureate experience working in Information Technology.
At least seven (7) years of experience with Microsoft SQL Server versions 2014 and above.
At least seven (7) years of experience with Performance tuning and optimization techniques.
At least seven (7) years of experience with High Availability solutions including Failover Clustered Instances (FCI), Always on Availability Groups, and Replication.
At least seven (7) years of experience with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) and Reporting Services (SSRS).
At least seven (7) years of experience with Windows Server and Active Directory administration.
At least seven (7) years of experience with Service management processes, including Incident, Problem, Change, and Release management.
At least seven (7) years of experience supporting large-scale, complex application development and delivery teams.
At least seven (7) years of experience working in a 24x7 support environment with dual-shore models.
At least 4 years of experience with Azure SQL and related services such as Entra ID, Key Vaults, etc.
At least 4 years of experience with AWS and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) maintenance and administration tasks.
At least 4 years of experience managing small to large on-premises SQL Server environments.
At least 4 years of experience with T-SQL and tuning indexes, triggers, functions, views, and stored procedures.
At least 4 years of experience with Snowflake data warehouse.
At least 4 years of experience with MS SQL licensing.
At least 4 years of experience with Terraform for infrastructure as code deployments.

Nice To Haves

Microsoft SQL Server versions 2014 and above
Performance tuning and optimization techniques
High Availability solutions including Failover Clustered Instances (FCI), Always on Availability Groups, and Replication
SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) and Reporting Services (SSRS)
Windows Server and Active Directory administration
Service management processes, including Incident, Problem, Change, and Release management
Supporting large-scale, complex application development and delivery teams
Working in a 24x7 support environment with dual-shore models
Azure SQL and related services such as Entra ID, Key Vaults, etc.
AWS and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) maintenance and administration tasks
Managing small to large on-premises SQL Server environments
T-SQL and tuning indexes, triggers, functions, views, and stored procedures
Snowflake data warehouse
MS SQL licensing
Terraform for infrastructure as code deployments

Responsibilities

Independently analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve database issues in real-time, ensuring end-to-end problem resolution.
Manage multiple projects simultaneously with a strong focus on priorities and deadlines.
Refine and automate routine processes, maintain issue tracking, and document all changes for future reference.
Proactively monitor and maintain MS SQL databases, including issue resolution, backup, and recovery.
Ensure database backups are completed in accordance with policy and can be restored successfully.
Perform database and SQL query analysis, tuning, and optimization for high availability, performance, and scalability.
Implement patches, updates, and fixes in compliance with established Change Management processes.
Work closely with application teams to validate database failover configurations and ensure adherence to best practices.
Collaborate with infrastructure teams (Network, Compute, and Storage) to deliver and maintain functional database clusters.
Develop and maintain scripts/utilities to automate repetitive tasks such as backups and refreshes.
Implement databases in cloud environments and migrate on-premises databases to cloud infrastructure.
Deploy database security and encryption features such as Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), Always Encrypted, and other industry best practices.
Provide 24x7 production support in collaboration with team members, including On-Call support as needed.
Coordinate with SEI teams to resolve infrastructure-related issues and ensure seamless service delivery.
Maintain strong communication skills to effectively contribute to team projects and engage with clients.
Demonstrate the ability to multi-task and switch contexts efficiently across different teams and responsibilities.
Work various shift timings based on business requirements, ensuring continuous support coverage.
Stay up to date with new technologies and features relevant to MS SQL and the broader database ecosystem.
Uphold and contribute to standards and best practices as defined by vendors and SEI internal guidelines.
Exhibit determination and collaboration in team efforts to ensure timely task completion.