Azure SQL Database Administrator / Data Architect

Hiring Transparency: Official Communication: All job offers and communication regarding them will arrive from email addresses ending in @innovateteam.com. Secure Information: We prioritize your data safety. We never request bank information via email or text. Instead, we follow a secure process through our dedicated payroll system. Remember: If your communication differs from this process, it's not from Innovate. Azure SQL Database Administrator / Data Architect Location: Washington, DC, Position: Azure SQL Database Administrator / Data Architect Reports To: FLSA: Exempt Location: Washington, DC, Posted: 1/21/26 Job Description Embrace the opportunity to join Innovate! Inc. and become a valued member of our team. We are seeking driven individuals who are passionate about leveraging technology to tackle environmental challenges and drive positive change. If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and are eager to contribute your skills and expertise to innovative projects, we invite you to explore this exciting opportunity further. Read on to learn more about how you can be part of our dynamic team. Innovate! Inc. is seeking a highly motivated Azure SQL Database Administrator / Data Architect to join our geospatial solutions team. In this role, you will design, administer, and optimize Azure SQL–based enterprise geodatabases that support ArcGIS Enterprise and mission-critical utility GIS operations. You will lead database performance tuning, security hardening, backup and disaster recovery planning (including cross-region resiliency), and operational troubleshooting to ensure high availability and reliability. The role also includes collaborating with ArcGIS platform administrators, cloud engineers, and client stakeholders; managing incidents and changes through established ITSM workflows; and producing clear technical documentation and runbooks to support successful transition and ongoing operations. We are seeking self-starting individuals with a “Let me at it” attitude who can adapt to a fluid work environment and an occasionally demanding schedule. In return, you will be able to be part of a motivated, highly skilled team and will be able to contribute to the growth and positive direction of our company. *Contingent upon contract being awarded* Location: Candidates can work remotely. Salary Range: $85000-$135000 annually Position Status: Full Time; with benefits Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with match, Life Insurance, and PTO KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Administer and optimize Azure SQL–based enterprise geodatabases that support ArcGIS Enterprise, ensuring reliable performance and availability for mission-critical utility GIS operations. Design, implement, and maintain Azure SQL architectures (e.g., hyperscale and elastic pool patterns as appropriate) to support production and non-production workloads. Monitor database health, capacity, and performance; troubleshoot database-related incidents impacting ArcGIS services, publishing workflows, integrations, and end-user access. Implement and validate backup, restore, and disaster recovery strategies for Azure SQL and related GIS data stores, including cross-region resiliency expectations and recoverability testing. Apply database security best practices—identity/access controls, encryption in transit and at rest, key management alignment, and secure connectivity patterns (e.g., private endpoints where required). Partner with cloud and platform administrators to align database operations with broader cloud operations (patching, monitoring, optimization) and enterprise security posture. Support integration and data exchange patterns between GIS and enterprise systems (e.g., SQL-based outbound feeds to a data lake and other upstream/downstream integrations). Manage incidents, service requests, and change requests through the client’s TeamDynamix ticketing workflows; provide clear status updates, documentation, and measurable outcomes aligned to service level objectives. Produce and maintain database documentation (architecture, configuration standards, runbooks, recovery procedures) and contribute to knowledge transfer during transition and ongoing operations. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Hands-on experience administering Microsoft Azure SQL databases in an enterprise production environment (including performance monitoring, reliability engineering, and operational support). Demonstrated experience supporting enterprise geodatabases used with ArcGIS Enterprise (or equivalent GIS-enabled SQL Server/Azure SQL geodatabase administration experience). Experience designing and operating backup/restore and disaster recovery capabilities for cloud databases, including repeatable recovery procedures and operational readiness. Working knowledge of database and cloud security controls, including authentication/authorization concepts, encryption, monitoring, vulnerability management, and secure network access patterns. Ability to work within an IT service management model, including managing incidents/requests/changes in an enterprise ticketing system (TeamDynamix or equivalent) and supporting reporting against service levels. Availability to support business-hours operations aligned to 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Eastern Time, with participation in after-hours escalation for critical incidents affecting availability or essential business workflows (24×7 monitoring expectations). PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Azure SQL architecture expertise, including design patterns for hyperscale, elastic pools, high availability, cross-region failover, and cost/performance optimization. Data Architect experience defining data models, governance practices, and integration patterns for GIS and enterprise platforms (e.g., SAP-adjacent integrations, data lake publishing, REST/SQL-based data exchange). Experience with ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabase workflows (e.g., versioning workflows, publishing dependencies, and troubleshooting database-related impacts to services). Familiarity with Azure security and identity ecosystem (e.g., Azure Entra ID integrations) and secure connectivity approaches for privately accessible databases. Experience meeting or supporting cybersecurity/compliance frameworks such as NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, or similar. Relevant certifications (nice-to-have): Microsoft Azure database/cloud certifications and/or security certifications; Esri certifications are a plus in GIS-heavy environments. Utility-sector experience (water/wastewater/electric/gas) supporting operationally critical systems with uptime, resiliency, and governance expectations. LEARN MORE ABOUT US Innovate! Inc. is a certified woman- and minority-owned consulting firm founded in 2002 by Lily Thomas. We provide innovative solutions to management, technology, and program challenges, with a focus on performance, integrity, and building lasting partnerships with our clients. Our team of over 100 experts includes IT and geospatial specialists, program and project management consultants, environmental scientists, and communications and outreach strategists. Our clients include federal, state, tribal, and local governments, private industry, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and utilities. Recent awards we received for excellent service include the 2022 SAG Team Award and 2022 Esri Partner Conference High Potential Award. Innovate is a fast-paced, rapidly growing group of entrepreneurs creating a culture of excellence. Rapid advancement within our organization is not only possible but also encouraged. To view our website, visit innovateteam.com. Innovate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, status as a Disabled Veteran, Recently Separated Veteran, Active Duty Wartime or Campaign Badge Veteran, Armed Forces Services Medal, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or cannot access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact us at careers@innovateteam.com.