Senior SQL Database Administrator
Overview:
You will design, implement, and optimize enterprise databases across cloud and on-prem environments to ensure security, availability, and performance. You'll lead migrations and modernization—especially moving from SQL Server to PostgreSQL/Aurora—working with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable, reliable data platforms. You'll own performance tuning, DR/backup, monitoring, and IaC-driven automation to support mission-critical systems. This role combines hands-on engineering with strategic modernization to shape Zelis' data foundation. Compensation / Benefits 401k with matchflexible paid time offholidaysparential leaveslife and disability insurancemedical, dental, vision, prescription coverage
Responsibilities:
- Engineer and support databases across AWS, Azure, and on-prem environments (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Aurora PostgreSQL, RDS, Azure SQL, etc.)Perform hands-on performance engineering: tuning queries, indexes, statistics, and data access patterns
- Troubleshoot production database issues (performance, blocking, deadlocks, resource contention)
- Migrate/re-platform databases and applications from SQL Server to PostgreSQL/Aurora PostgreSQL and other platforms
- Manage migrations: discovery, schema conversion, data migration, testing, cutover, rollback, post-migration optimization
- Maintain SQL Server and PostgreSQL environments with patching, upgrades, security, and compliance
- Configure and test high availability, backup/restore, DR, replication, and recovery capabilities
- Implement telemetry, observability, monitoring, and alerting (IDERA, AWS monitoring)
- Analyze telemetry to identify performance bottlenecks and operational risks
- Participate in 24x7 production support and on-call rotations
- Develop automation and IaC for provisioning, configuration, deployment, maintenance, monitoring, and patching
- Use Git, GitHub, CI/CD, VS Code for scripting, automation, and code management
- Leverage AI-assisted tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) to improve troubleshooting and productivity
- Collaborate with application engineers to remediate inefficient queries and data patterns
- Create and maintain technical documentation (Confluence, wikis) related to configurations, runbooks, migrations, and DR procedures
Key requirements:
- Strong hands-on SQL Server experience in production environments
- Expertise in database performance tuning, query optimization, indexing, and schema/data access patternsAWS experience with RDS/Aurora/EC2; PostgreSQL/Aurora PostgreSQL preferred
- Experience migrating SQL Server workloads to PostgreSQL/Aurora PostgreSQLAutomation of database tasks using scripting and IaC; familiarity with Git/GitHub/CI/CD and VS Code
- Experience with database monitoring, backup/recovery, HA/DR, and telemetry tools
- Azure database platforms experience preferred but not required
- Familiarity with AI-assisted engineering tools is a plus
- Ability to work in cross-functional teams and on-call environments
- Visa sponsorship not available at this time
CollaborativeProblem-solving
Proactive troubleshooting
Microsoft SQL Server (production experience)
PostgreSQL, Amazon Aurora PostgreSQLAWS (RDS, Aurora, EC2); Azure SQL Database/Managed Instance (preferred)