Datavail is hiring a Senior Database Engineer/SQL Server DBA to join our
high-performing team supporting mission-critical database systems across a wide
range of clients and industries. This isn't a traditional, reactive DBA role —
we're looking for a forward-looking database professional who thinks like an
engineer: automating instead of repeating manual work, treating cloud-native
platforms as the default rather than the exception, and getting ahead of
problems before they become a ticket. As a leading managed services provider, we
deliver 24x7 support through a proven multi-tiered model, consistently meeting
and exceeding client SLAs
We're looking for a senior-level SQL Server specialist who operates as a trusted
technical advisor — someone who goes beyond reactive troubleshooting to
proactively identify risk, tune performance, and guide clients on cloud and
architecture strategy. The ideal candidate will serve as the Primary DBA for one
or more clients, building strong client relationships while leading service
delivery with a blend of hands-on engineering depth and consultative guidance.
This is a full-time position with full medical benefits
Travel: Up to 20% domestic (US) travel for client onsite visits — this role is
relationship-driven, and in-person time with clients is part of building that
trust
Performance Tuning & Cloud-Native Database Expertise (Core Focus)
This is a defining requirement for the role, not a secondary skill:
T-SQL query optimization — reading and rewriting execution plans, resolving
parameter sniffing, statistics/cardinality issues, and Query Store-based
tuning
Rewriting and refactoring existing stored procedures and T-SQL code for
performance — not just tuning execution plans, but redesigning logic and
set-based approaches where needed
Indexing strategy — designing and maintaining clustered/nonclustered/covering
indexes, evaluating columnstore where appropriate, and managing
fragmentation/maintenance without breaking SLAs
Root-cause performance diagnosis — wait-stats analysis, CPU/memory/I-O
bottleneck isolation, tempdb contention, and blocking/deadlock resolution
Cloud-native platform tuning — hands-on optimization specific to Azure SQL
Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and AWS RDS for SQL Server: correct
service tier/vCore or DTU sizing, storage throughput/IOPS tuning, elastic
pool configuration, and working within PaaS resource-governor limits
Proactive performance baselining — establishing and monitoring baselines so
degradation is caught before it becomes a client-facing incident, not just
reactive firefighting
In this role, you will:
Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, proactively identifying performance,
availability, and security risks before they become incidents
Advise clients on cloud database architecture, migration, and cost
optimization across AWS and Azure (IaaS and PaaS)
Lead architecture design, disaster recovery planning, and capacity
forecasting initiatives
Own the end-to-end database service lifecycle — backup strategy, HA/DR
configuration, proactive tuning, and platform roadmap planning
Define and track service-level objectives (SLOs) for database availability
and performance, and drive automated remediation for recurring failure
patterns rather than manually resolving the same issue repeatedly
Lead root-cause analysis and post-incident reviews for major issues,
translating findings into automation or process changes that prevent
recurrence
Design and implement scalable database structures, including partitioning
strategies and audit specifications
Develop and maintain deployment/rollback scripts and coordinate version
updates across environments
Build automation (Python, PowerShell) for backup validation, monitoring,
alerting, and reporting integrations (e.g., Power BI)
Migrate/support SSIS packages and SSAS cubes, and develop stored procedures
for reporting
Collaborate directly with client technical teams and executive stakeholders,
translating technical findings into business-relevant recommendations
Datavail is a leading provider of data management, application development,
analytics, and cloud services, with more than 1,000 professionals helping
clients build and manage applications and data via a world-class tech-enabled
delivery platform and software solutions across all leading technologies. For
more than 17 years, Datavail has worked with thousands of companies spanning
different industries and sizes, and is an AWS Advanced Tier Consulting Partner,
a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Data & AI and Digital & App Innovation
(Azure), an Oracle Partner, and a MySQL Partner.