We are seeking a seasoned Senior Database Consultant to lead the end-to-end design, consolidation, and optimization of our mission-critical SQL Server environments!
JOB OVERVIEW:
Role: Senior Database Consultant
Experience: 10+ Years
Type: Full-Time / Contract
Location: Remote (Lahore, Pakistan)
Department: Data Engineering
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Database Consolidation & Schema Design | OLTP Performance Tuning & Isolation High Availability (HA/DR) & Always On AGs | OLAP & Data Warehouse Strategy | Indexing & Query Optimization | CDC & Data Migration Strategy | tempdb & Resource Governance | SSIS / T-SQL ELT Pipelines Backup & Recovery Automation | Security & Compliance Hardening
RESPONSIBILITIES & TECHNICAL SCOPE:
1. Database Consolidation & Schema Redesign:
Dependency Mapping: Audit cross-db queries, linked servers, and 3/4-part object references (database.schema.object); build dependency graphs and refactor tight coupling before cutover. (Tools: Dependency Viewer, RedGate SQL Dependency Tracker, DMVs).
Schema Unification: Resolve collation mismatches via ALTER TABLE/COLUMN staging; unify schemas, merge lookup tables, resolve naming conflicts, transition to contained DB users, and normalize data models.
Data Migration: Execute minimal-downtime migrations (blue-green, parallel batching), implement CDC for live sync, and validate via row-count, hashing, and exception workflows. (Tools: SSIS, bcp, BCP API, BULK INSERT, Polybase, Azure Data Factory).
2. OLTP Engine Optimization:
Concurrency & Isolation: Implement RCSI/SI isolation levels; analyze blocking/deadlocks via Extended Events, sys.dm_exec_requests, and sys.dm_os_wait_stats; prevent lock escalation via partitioning, locking hints (NOLOCK/UPDLOCK/ROWLOCK), and transaction profiling.
Enterprise Indexing: Design clustered, nonclustered covering, filtered, and sliding-window partitioned indexes; audit via sys.dm_db_index_usage_stats and maintain index health via scheduled rebuild/reorganize jobs.
Resource Tuning: Configure tempdb (1 file per core up to 8, TF 1117/1118); tune MAXDOP/CTFP; manage memory via Resource Governor; implement In-Memory OLTP (Hekaton).
3. OLAP & Reporting Strategy:
Workload Isolation: Configure Always On AG Read-Only Routing, listener failover logic, and monitor redo queue lag/sync health.
Operational Analytics: Implement Clustered & Nonclustered Columnstore Indexes (CCI/NCCI); manage delta store/tuple mover/compression; tune batch mode execution and Adaptive Query Processing.
Data Warehousing: Architect star/snowflake schemas (SCD 1/2/3, conformed dimensions); build T-SQL/SSIS ELT pipelines; deploy SSAS cubes/tabular models. (Tech: Azure Synapse, MS Fabric, Power BI DirectQuery).
4. HA/DR Architecture:
Local HA (WSFC + Always On AGs): Deploy synchronous-commit AGs, design topology/listeners/health policies, monitor via Extended Events/SolarWinds DPA/SentryOne, and perform chaos failover testing.
Disaster Recovery: Configure asynchronous-commit multi-region AGs, multi-subnet clustering (RegisterAllProvidersIP=1), Log Shipping, and maintain version-controlled DR runbooks.
Backup & Recovery: Tiered backup strategy (Full/Diff/Log), validation via RESTORE VERIFYONLY and DBCC CHECKDB, automation via Ola Hallengren/PowerShell, and quarterly production-scale RTO/RPO recovery drills.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:
Experience: 10+ years dedicated enterprise SQL Server DBA / Architecture experience (1,000+ GB DBs, high-concurrency OLTP), leading consolidation projects, and managing Always On AGs/WSFC/DR across SQL Server 2012–2022.
Technical Skills:
SQL Server: Advanced T-SQL, Query Store, Plan Guides, Extended Events, DMVs, Internals.
Platform: Windows Server Admin, PowerShell, Active Directory, SAN/NAS alignment.
Cloud & Tooling: Azure SQL MI, Synapse, SSMS, Azure Data Studio, Redgate SQL Toolbelt, SolarWinds DPA.
Certifications (Preferred): DP-300, MCSE: Data Management & Analytics, MCSA: SQL Server.
What we offer:
Paid Time-Off (Annual, Sick and Personal)
Maternity and Paternity Leaves (As per the company's policy)
Medical Insurance
Life Insurance
Fuel Allowance (As per the company's policy)
Company Transportation (As per the company's policy)
Recognition programs (employee shoutouts, awards, anniversaries, etc.)
Collaborative and supportive team culture
10+ years enterprise SQL Server DBA/architecture experience, expertise in consolidation, Always On AGs, performance tuning, and cloud tools; preferred certifications DP-300, MCSE, MCSA.
Key Responsibilities
- designing database schemas
- optimizing SQL performance
- managing high availability
Skills & Tools
SQL Server, T-SQL, SSIS, SSAS, Power BI, Azure SQL, Azure Synapse, Azure Data Factory, PowerShell, Redgate SQL Toolbelt, SolarWinds DPA, SentryOne, Ola Hallengren, SSMS, Azure Data Studio, Microsoft Fabric
Job Details
- Category: Information Technology
- Seniority: Senior Level
- Commitment: Full Time, Contract
- Workplace: Remote — Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
- Languages: English
Benefits
- Generous paid time off
- Generous parental leave
About Cedar Holdings International
A company providing database consulting and data engineering services. — Industry: Information Technology